The ethical principles and teaching of one religion Essay Example for Free

The ethical principles and teaching of cardinal religion searchExamine the ethical principles and teaching of one religion, focussing particularly on what is viewd about the nature and quantify of merciful support, and the relationship between gentles and the surroundings. close religions have similar ethical principles and beliefs on the tax and nature of gay brio however this essay go away be focusing on one religion in particular, Islam.Islams main principles about the human behavior be quite similar to the other religions, and the fact that carriage is sacred. This underpins all(prenominal) issues dealing with medical ethics such(prenominal) as Abortion and Euthanasia. Muslims accept that all human intent is sacred because it is accustomed by Allah, and that Allah chooses how long each person get out live. Human beings should not interfere in this, which is why Islam would most definitely favour sanctity of life over quality of life, as the Islamic view is based on the very high precedency the faith gives to the sanctity of life. The leger statesWhosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has cut uped all of mankind. (Quran 532)It is a manifestation of the lordliness of man that Islam has placed an infinite value on human life. This is expressed in the Quran in the following termsWe ordained for the children of Israel that if everyone slew a person, unless it be for murder or for spreading balefulness in the land, it would be as if he slew the whole of mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of a whole people. (Al-Maida, 532)If Euthanasia is taken as an example, Islam believes human life is a value to be respected unconditionally, irrespective of other circumstances. The concept of a life not worthy of living does not exist in Islam. Justification of taking life to be given suffering is not accept able in Islam. Prophet Mohammad taught in that respect was a man in ripened times that had an infliction that taxed his patience, so he took a knife, cut his wrist and bled to death.Upon this God saidMy theme hastened his end, I deny him paradise.All these teachings are derived from the Holy Book of Islam, The Quran, which is said to be the expression of Allah. There are legion(predicate) other quotes from the Quran which support the argument of the sacredness of life.If anyone kills a person unless it be for murder or spreading mischief in the land- it would be as if he killed the whole people. (Quran 5.32)When their time comes they potentiometernot abide it for a single hour nor set up they bring it forward by a single hour. (Quran 16.61)And no person can ever die except by Allahs leave and at an ap commoveed term. (Quran 3.145) repeal not yourselves. Surely Allah is ever merciful to you. (Quran 4.29)There is a vast amount of emphasis repose on the sacredness of human li fe, and how it should be protected at all times, however Islam permits killing, under very stiff circumstances, in a war called Jihad, and is often mistranslated to mean holy war, however its true meaning can be anything from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect faith to a political or military struggle to further the Islamic cause.The Prophet Muhammad has given clear instructions about the demeanour of the Muslim army. He observedSet out for Jihad in the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Do not lay hands on the old verging on death, on women, children and babes. Do not appropriate anything from the booty and collect together all that falls to your lot in the battlefield and do good, for Allah loves the arrant(a) and the pious.So great is the respect for humanly feelings in Islam that even the wanton destruction of enemys crops or situation is strictly forbidden.When thinking of the nature of life, it is natural to ponder upon earth. For example how would Isla m manage to response lifes unanswered questions such as, When does life begin?, Where does life come from?, and What happens at death?. As with all religions Islam tried to answer them, with help from the Holy Scriptures, such as the Quran and Hadith.The question of when a human life begins is a profoundly intricate one, with widespread implications, ranging from spontaneous miscarriage seriouss to stem cell research and beyond. A key dapple in the debate rests on the way in which we choose to define the concepts of humanity, life and human life. Islam states that human life begins at the moment when a male sperm penetrates a female ovum and becomes joined with it. The impregnated ovum constitutes the first cell that contains a full genetic record of the human kind in general and of the individual foetus itself that result distinguish it from any other being at any point of time. This first cell go forth then start reproducing itself throughout the various developing stages of the initiation period until the moment of birth.The moment a woman conceives and the conceptions said to be stable in the uterus, the life shining in this uterus has full respect and is protected by established Islamic law provisions.If the foetus reaches the stage when a soul is breathed into it (some say after 120 days, others after 40 days), its sanctity becomes greater as agreed upon, and this results into certain provisions of the Islamic law.Islam also believes that all types of life were created by Allah, from water. Let us look at what Allah has said in the Quran about our institution to back up this theoryNow let man but think from what he is created He is created from A drop emitted Proceedings from between the backbone and the ribs Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (To life) The sidereal day that (All) things secret Will be tested, (Man) will have No power, and no helper. (Quran 865-10)As Allah has given life, he can also take it away, and has a plan for us a ll. Muslims believe that the present life is a trial in preparation for the next realm of existence. All the Prophets of God called their people to religion God and to believe in life after death. They laid so much emphasis on the belief in life after death that even a slight doubt in it meant denying God and made all other beliefs meaningless.Islam teaches that after death in that respect will be a Day of Judgement. When people die they remain in the grave until the Day of Judgement. When the Day of Judgement comes, Allah will decide what happens to people and his decision is finalTo Allah belongs the knowledge of the unseen of the heavens and the earth and the coming of the hour of Judgement is like the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker. Surely, Allah has full power over everything. (Quran 1677)Allah will also judge all believers, not just MuslimsThose who believe in the Quran, and the Jews and the Sabians and the Christians, any who truly believe in Allah and the Last Day an d act righteously, shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Quran 569)People who have followed the teachings of Allah will go to Paradise, which will be a perfect world of rest and pleasure. Here they stay forever. This is called akhirah or in other words life after death. People who have ignored Allahs teachings will go to hell where they will be punished.Those who have believed and acted righteously will be made happy in a splendid Garden. Those who disbelieved and rejected Our Signs and the meeting of the Hereafter will be brought face to face with punishment. (Quran 3015-16)Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam has no teaching about reincarnation. Muslims have only one chance to live their lives and they are judged on how they do this.When researching the value of human life there are many reasons not to get down life in Islam however Islam does not always see destroying life as wrong. For example there are many quotes in the Quran, as mentioned beforehand, as to why life is so sacred, and only Allah has the right to take it away. If we look at the issue of abortion, Muslims regard abortion as wrong and haram (forbidden), but many accept that it may be permitted in certain cases. All schools of Muslim law accept that abortion is permitted if continuing the pregnancy would put the grows life in real danger. This is the only reason accepted for abortion after 120 days of the pregnancy.The Islamic view is based on the very high precedence the faith gives to the sanctity of life. This passage has been stressed many times by myself, for it is the main valid point for backing up the sanctity of life and in the Quran it statesWhosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind. (5 32)Most Muslim scholars would say that a foetus in the womb is recognised and protected by Islam as a human life although.Islam allows abortion to save the life of the mother because it sees this as the lesser of ii pestiferouss and this is a general principle in Sharia (Muslim law).Abortion is regarded as a lesser evil in this case because, The mother is the originator of the foetus, the mothers life is well-established, the mother has with duties and responsibilities, the mother is part of a family, and allowing the mother to die would also kill the foetus in most cases.Islam also regards the relationships between humans and the environment very highly. The world Earth appears no less than 485 times in the holy book of the Quran. Sharia, the word for Islamic Law, literally means source of water.In the words of Allah, There is not an animal in the earth, nor a creature flying on two wings, but they are nations like you. (638)The question of the creation of human beings is relevant to understand the role of religion in the environment the Holy Quran states blest be He, in whose hands are all sovereignty. He has power over all things. He cre ated death and life that He might put to test and find out, which of you acquitted himself best. He is Mighty, kind-hearted One. (671-2)Life is thus, a brilliant demonstration of Gods wisdom and knowledge. He has shown the humans a right roadway of life. Theres complete stability and unity in the laws of the universe.Man being a part of the whole arrangement must also operate justly in the sphere over which he is given constraint and power otherwise, he is working against the natural laws of the Universe, as well as his own nature. The result of which can be destruction in the environment.In conclusion, as with many other religions, Islam has similar concepts and principals about human life and the environment which are clearly outlined in Holy Scriptures such as The Quran and may influence our personal morals and views on ethical issues.BIBLIOGRAPHY1) http//www.islamweb.net2) http//www.bbc.co.uk3) http//www.earthisland.org4) http//www.muhajabah.com5) The Puzzle of Ethics Peter Vardy capital of Minnesota Grosch6) Understanding Islam Duncan Baird Publishers