Sunnah and Moral Values of Islam:

The practical life of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) is a mirror of the morals and good behavior, rather, his life represents the human perfection in all aspects, including the moral side. That is why, the faithful followers were ordered by Allah the Almighty to follow his example and embody his exemplary practices in their lives. Allah (Glory be to Him) said in the Glorious Qur'an: "There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day."(1).

In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) followed the guidance of the Glorious Qur'an, practiced its teachings truly and put its orders into practice accurately, as was described by the Mother of the believers, `A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), (2) saying: "His character was the Qur'an." (3).

Furthermore, the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) embodied the instruction of the Glorious Qur'an in building the morality and reforming the behavior. Therefore, the talks of the blessed Sunnah about the ethics are closely related to faith, with special emphasis on the moral principles and their importance, warning of the violation of those moral values. The blessed Sunnah, repeatedly, explains good results of abiding by the moral limitations, explaining the secrets and benefits of these moral legislations.

In addition to that, the statement of the blessed Sunnah about moral values is more detailed and wider than the statement of the Glorious Qur'an. In general, the Glorious Qur'an deals with the moral values in a brief way with nice elucidations. While the blessed Sunnah gives more details and important explanations about the moral values. For example, the Glorious Qur'an says about honoring a guest:

"Has there reached you the story of the honored guests of Abraham? When they entered upon him and said: "[We greet you with] peace." He answered: "[And upon you] peace, [you are] a people unknown. Then he went to his family and came with a fat [roasted] calf and placed it near them; he said: "Will you not eat?" (4)

In addition, He (Glory be to Him) says about this subject: "And his people came hastening to him, and before [this] they had been doing evil deeds. He said: "O my people, these are my daughters; they are purer for you. So fear Allah and do not disgrace me concerning my guests. Is there not among you a man of reason?" (5).

On the other hand, we find the subject of honoring a guest in the blessed Sunnah with more detail and direct instruction, as the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) said:"Let whosoever believes in Allah and in the Last Day honor his guest." (6)

About the number of the days that are obligatory for a person to accommodate his guest, the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest and recompense him.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah! what is his recompense?” The Prophet (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “It is for a day and a night. And hospitality extends for three days, and whatever is beyond that is a charity to him.” (7).

About what is necessary for a guest towards his host, Imam Al-Bukhari reports that the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "It is not lawful for him (the guest) to stay so long as to cause him harm." (8)

This is about honoring the guest, and the same can be said about other moral values; like, taking care of the old parents and strengthening the Kinship ties and safeguarding the right of neighbor. These issues have been mentioned in the Glorious Qur'an in a brief manner, but the blessed Sunnah came to explain what was briefed by the Glorious Qur'an. Allah (Glory be to Him) says about the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him): "And We revealed to you the message that you may make clear to the people what was sent down to them and that they might give thought." (9).

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(1) Surah Al-Ahzab: 21.

(2) `A'ishah, Al-Quryshiyyah, At-Tymiyyah, the daughter of Abu Bakr, the mother of the believers, the honored wife of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him). She was the most knowledgeable women of the nation, who died in 57 A.H. according to an authentic tradition. See: Siyar `Aalam An-Nubala' (2/135), Al-Isabah, (4/350) and Taqrib At-Tahdhib 750.

(3) Reported by Ahmad and others. See: Ahmad Al-Banna, Al-Fat'h Ar-Rabbani, (22/17) and was graded as an authentic one by Al-Albani. See: Sahih Al-Jami`a As-Saghir (4/238).

(4) Surah Adh-Dhariya't 24-27.

(5) Surah Hud (78).

(6) Agreed upon between Al-Bukhari and Muslim. See: Ibn Hajar, Fat'h Al-Bari, (10/531) and An-Nawawi, a commentary on Sahih Muslim (1/221).

(7) Agreed upon between Al-Bukhari and Muslim, but the word belongs to the narration of Muslim. See: Ibn Hjar, Fat'h Al-Bari, (10/531) and An-Nawawi, a commentary on Sahih Muslim, (1/221).

(8) Ibn Hajar, Fat'h Al-Bari, (10/531).

(9) Surah An-Nahl :44.

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