❖ The Intellectual Confusion Regarding Moral Values
A common misunderstanding regarding moral values is the belief that they are intrinsically human and universal. Many assume that values such as truthfulness, honesty, and sincerity are inherently good and do not require religious validation. This perspective views these values as self-evident, needing no reference to religion — a fundamental intellectual error.
❖ Goodness Independent of Purpose
The root of this confusion lies in the belief that good and evil exist independently of their intended purposes — reducing them to mere procedures or methods. For example, truthfulness or honesty is seen as inherently good, regardless of why it is being practiced. As a result, people start believing,
"We should be truthful and honest because they are inherently good, not because religion commands them."
❖ Enlightenment Thought and Morality
This misguidance has been institutionalized under Enlightenment-era thought, where people proudly claim that good ethics should be pursued because they are universal human values, not for seeking the pleasure of God. This represents a severe conceptual deviation in understanding morality.
❖ The Real Concept of Goodness
In reality, the idea of good disconnected from divine purpose is flawed. Take, for instance, acts like fornication, gambling, or murder — one could theoretically promote these through truthful, honest, and sincere means. Policies could be designed to regulate gambling with utmost integrity and transparency. But would such “honesty” be praiseworthy?
Absolutely not.
This proves that truthfulness and honesty are not good in themselves — they are only good when aligned with divine intent.
❖ Goodness is Defined by Shariah
Hence, it must be understood that goodness is not about the procedure, but rather about compliance with Shariah. Truthfulness and honesty are only virtuous when they are pursued for the sake of pleasing Allah. Embracing such values without reference to God becomes a form of “shirk in intention” — associating others in the purpose behind good actions under the guise of benefiting humanity.
✿ Summary
❶ Good and evil are defined by purpose, not merely by method.
❷ Moral values are only virtuous when pursued for the pleasure of God.
❸ Considering honesty and truth as inherently good, regardless of purpose, is a misguidance.
❹ Without Shariah, there can be no universal definition of good and evil.
