Ethical Teachings in Christianity and Islam Essay example -- Ethics,

There are several ethical teachings in Christianity and Islam that instruct Christians and Muslims on how they should act in everyday life. These ethical teachings often require the members of each religion to give generously to the welfare of those in need. This essay will prove that both Islam and Christianity have ethical teachings that instruct people to give to the needy. This will be proved by first defining what an ethical guideline or teaching is, by looking at the Islamic ethical guidelines that instruct Muslims to help those in need and finally through analysing the Christian ethical guidelines that teach Christians to contribute to the welfare of those in need. Ethics is the explicit, philosophical reflection on moral beliefs and practices to clarify what is right and wrong and what human beings should freely do or refrain from doing. Therefore ethical guidelines are the guidelines set out to tell human beings what they should freely do and what they should refrain from based on whether it is right or wrong. Ethical guidelines in Christianity teach Christians how they should act so that their daily living reflects spiritual principles and supports the purpose and value of this world. For example the Ten Commandments were made by God to teach human beings to refrain from things such as stealing, murder and not loving your neighbour. Islamic ethical guidelines can be found in Islamic law. There are laws on how Muslims should treat one another and how they should behave towards Allah. For example the third Pillar of Islam; Zakat, teaches Muslims to give their left over wealth to the poor and needy. This guideline was passed down from Allah to teach Muslims that they should treat the poor and needy with respect and help ... ...welfare to the needy as it teaches that those who give to the needy will be accepted into heaven. Both Islam and Christianity have obvious ethical teachings that require Muslims and Christians to contribute welfare to those in need. The teachings of Zakat, Mohammed’s sermons, the Qur’an passages and the teaching of jihad all instruct Muslims to give their extra wealth to those in need. The Bible passages about the poor teach Christians to give money to the needy as well. These teachings are invaluable to Islamic and Christian society as due to these teachings Muslims and Christians give more money to the poor and thus as a result of these teachings poor people in Islamic and Christian society are better supported. Works Cited Holy Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale, 2005. Print. The Qur’an: Translation. Trans. Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Elmhurst: Tahrike, 2000. Print.