Summary. This document provides an introduction to basic teachings and principles of Islam as found in the Quran. The following is an excerpt from pages 397-400 of the Reformist Translation of the Quran. [PDF Source]
Parallel Study. This list is provided as a study text for those seeking to find parallel teachings and ethical principles in various world religions.
Personal Growth. Because most of the principles in the list below are compatible with other religions, one can use it for personal edification and growth in their own faith regardless of what their religion is.
Video Presentation. Below is a short video presenting some of the teachings and principles of Islam.
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As reformed Muslims, when we say “we believe,” we believe as the concept is defined by the Quran, which can be translated to English more accurately as “acknowledgment.” The Quran does not accept conjecture or the testimony of the majority, or hearsay as the basis of philosophical and theological quests for truth. Mumin is the one who acknowledges the truth and continuously seeks knowledge for a better understanding of reality. Here are some characteristics of those who acknowledge. They:
- Do not accept information on faith; critically evaluate it with their reason and senses (17:36)
- Ask the experts if they do not know (16:43)
- Use intelligence, reason and historical precedents to understand and carry out God’s commands (7:179; 8:22; 10:100; 12:111; 3:137)
- Do not dogmatically follow the status-quo and tradition; are open to new ideas (22:1; 26:5; 38:7)
- Are open-minded and promote freedom of expression; listen to all views and follow the best (39:18)
- Do not follow conjecture (10:36,66; 53:28)
- Study God’s creation in the heavens and land; explore the beginning of creation (2:164; 3:190; 29:20)
- Attain knowledge, since it is the most valuable thing in their appreciation of God (3:18; 13:13; 29:43,49)
- Are free individuals, do not follow crowds, and are not afraid of crowds (2:112; 5:54,69; 10:62; 39:36; 46:13)
- Do not follow the religion of your parents or your nation blindly (6:116; 12:103,112)
- Do not make profit from sharing God’s Message with others (6:90; 36:21; 26:109-180)
- Read in order to know, and they read critically (96:1-5; 55:1-4)
- Do not ignore divine revelation and signs (25:73)
- Do not miss the main point by indulging in small and inconsequential details (2:67-71; 5:101-102; 22:67)
- Hold their judgment if they do not have sufficient information; do not rush into siding with a position (20:114)
- Speak the truth; do not lie, although stratagem is allowed against adversaries (8:7-8; 25:72; 33:70; 12:70-81)
- Are kind and forgiving (42:40,43)
- Are active, dynamic, creative and courageous people (2:30-34; 4:75-77; 15:28-30)
- Are not egoistic and proud (25:43; 17:37)
- Are steadfast and humble (31:17-18)
- Are brave (33:23)
- Do not lose hope; are optimistic (12:87; 39:53)
- Walk humbly on earth and when harassed by ignorant people; they ignore the harrassers with dignity and respond them by saying “peace” (25:72: 29:63)
- Hold firmly to principles, but are flexible in methods (2:67-71, 142; 3:103; 5:54; 22:67)
- Are not proud of their accomplishments, and are not saddened by their losses (57:23)
- Seek unity not division; do not divide themselves due to jealousy (3:103; 6:159; 61:4; 42:14)
- Put moral considerations uppermost, but do not disregard their due material interests (28:77)
- Fulfill promises (17:34)
- Eat and drink moderately, and avoid intoxicants and gambling (7:31; 2:219)
- Dress decently (24:30-31)
- Do not ridicule or mock one another (49:11)
- Abstain from vain talk (23:4)
- Do not discriminate based on gender and race; they know that superiority is only through God-consciousness (49:13)
- Are loyal to what they have been entrusted and keep their pledges (23:9)
- Treat everyone with civility and give greetings to all (2:83; 28:55; 43:89; 4:86)
- Do not escape from problems, but rather actively focus on problems to solve them equitably, even if the solution requires a fight (49:9)
- Avoid suspicion, spying and backbiting among the monotheists; seek peace, since they are only brothers and sisters (49:9-10,12)
- Do not follow monarchs, princes, emirs, sultans, except when they are forced; obey those who are in charge among themselves, and when they dispute in any matter they refer it to God and the messenger (4:59)
- Are the party of God (58:22)
- Do not aggress, but defend themselves against aggression (7:33; 42:39)
- Serve God alone and do not associate partners in His authority (17:22-23)
- Dedicate themselves to God alone; they do not kill unjustly, and do not commit adultery (29:68)
- Believe in God and live righteously (2:62, 112)
- Love God, the Truth, more than anything else (5:54; 9:23)
- Do not fear mankind, but fear God (5:44; 33:37, 39)
- Maintain the contact prayers with God (23:10)
- Repent for their sins (29:70)
- Respect and honor their parents (17:23-24)
- Love their spouses and treat them with care and compassion (30:21)
- Give charities to relatives, the poor and destitute and towards public welfare (9:60; 17:26)
- Practice consultations to solve social and political problems (42:36)
- Act justly, do not commit evil and rule according to God’s laws, i.e. justice, truth and mercy (4:58, 135; 5:8; 7:28-29; 5:44)
- Do not turn their cheeks arrogantly from people, nor roam the earth insolently, since they know that God does not like the arrogant show offs (31:18; 57:23)
- Perform prayers and other rites of worship, without quarrelling over methodology, and they share their blessings with those who have less than they have (98:5; 22:67)
- Obey just leaders, respect, honor and support them, but they do not idolize them (4:59; 33:56; 9:30-31)
- Do not practice bribery and corruption (2:188)
- Do not practice usury, but they practice charity (2:275-80)
- Give charity in moderation (29:67)
- Are honest and fair in financial and economic dealings (6:152)
- Do not bear false witness (29:71)
- Are not extravagant and wasteful, nor are they stingy (17:26-29)
- Save lives and do not kill except in the cause of justice (17:33)
- Respond equally, but they know that forgiveness is the best route (2:179; 13:14; 45:14; 64:14)
- Do not devour the properties of orphans (17:34)
- Enter into marriage with those who acknowledge, do not marry polytheists, and they do not commit adultery (5:5; 23:6-7; 30:21; 17:32)
- Are not apathetic (5:79)
- Enjoin good and forbid evil (3:104)
- Hasten to do righteous work (3:114)
- Are active towards betterment (23:5)
- Support each other in the cause of God (8:74)
- Raise knowledgeable people in the society in order to learn the laws (9:122)
- Cooperate and help each other in good works; do not cooperate in evil works (5:2)
- Fight in the cause of justice and truth with their wealth and their lives (4:75; 9:111)
- Promote legal education (9:122)
- Persevere in any good effort and do not fear to face difficulties and hardships; success comes only after hardships (2:45, 177; 94:5-8)
- Fight for the rights of those who are oppressed (4:75)
- Seek peace (2:208; 4:90; 8:61; 2:208)
- Are progressive (15:24; 74:37)
- Reform themselves and are reformers (6:48,54; 7:35,56,142; 11:117; 12:101; 21:72,105)
(Thanks to Kassim Ahmad of Malaysia for his contribution in the compilation of this list.)