Islam: Dialogue between Islam and ethics — AQA A-Level Religious Studies

This topic explores the relationship between Islamic teachings and ethical theory, focusing on how Muslims derive moral guidance from the Qur'an, Sunnah, and scholarly consensus (ijma). It examines key ethical concepts such as justice ('adl), compassion (rahma), and responsibility (taklif), and how they apply to contemporary issues like medical ethics, business ethics, and environmental stewardship. Students will analyse the role of reason (aql) and revelation in Islamic ethics, comparing them with secular ethical frameworks like utilitarianism and Kantian ethics.

Understanding this dialogue is crucial for AQA A-Level Religious Studies because it demonstrates how a major world religion engages with universal moral questions. It also highlights the diversity within Islam, as different schools of thought (e.g., Sunni, Shi'a, Mu'tazila) offer varying perspectives on ethical reasoning. This topic encourages critical thinking about the relationship between faith and morality, and prepares students for essay questions that require evaluation of Islamic responses to modern ethical dilemmas.

In the wider subject, this topic connects to themes of authority, free will, and the nature of good and evil. It also links to the study of religious pluralism and the role of religion in public life. Mastery of this material will enable students to construct well-reasoned arguments about how Islamic ethics can inform debates on issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and social justice.

• →Shari'ah: The divine law derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah, providing a comprehensive ethical framework for Muslims. It includes both legal rulings (fiqh) and moral principles (akhlaq).
• →Maqasid al-Shari'ah: The higher objectives of Islamic law, such as preservation of faith, life, intellect, lineage, and property. These goals guide ethical reasoning in new situations.
• →Ijtihad: Independent legal reasoning used by qualified scholars to derive rulings on issues not explicitly addressed in primary sources. It demonstrates the dynamic nature of Islamic ethics.
• →Qiyas: Analogical reasoning, a method of extending existing rulings to new cases based on shared effective cause ('illah). For example, prohibiting drugs by analogy with alcohol.
• →Tawhid: The oneness of God, which underpins Islamic ethics by establishing that moral obligations come from God alone, and that human actions are accountable to Him.

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Muslim responses to deontological, teleological, and character-based ethical approaches.
• Analyze the extent to which Islamic ethics can be categorized as deontological, teleological, consequential, or character-based.
• Evaluate Muslim responses to issues of human life and death, animal life and death, theft, lying, marriage, homosexuality, transgender issues, and genetic engineering.
• Discuss Muslim responses to issues surrounding wealth, tolerance, and freedom of religious expression.
• Explain Muslim understandings of free will, moral responsibility, and the value of conscience in moral decision-making.
• Analyze the impact of other ethical perspectives on Muslim views and the compatibility of these views.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Muslim perspectives compared to other ethical perspectives.
• Assess the implications of criticisms of Islamic ethical teaching for the religion as a whole and its sources of authority.

• 💡Ensure you can explicitly define and apply the three main ethical frameworks: deontological (Kant), teleological/consequential (Bentham), and character-based (Virtue Ethics).
• 💡Use the synoptic nature of the question to demonstrate how Islamic beliefs (e.g., Tawhid, Al-Qadr) shape the ethical response.
• 💡Always evaluate the 'dialogue'—do not just list what Islam says and what the ethical theory says; explain how they challenge or support each other.
• 💡Use specialist terminology accurately, such as Shari'ah, Ummah, and Jihad, in the context of moral decision-making.
• 💡Use specific examples from the Qur'an and Hadith to support your points. For instance, quote Qur'an 5:32 on the sanctity of life when discussing medical ethics. This shows depth of knowledge and engagement with sources.
• 💡Evaluate different perspectives within Islam. Don't present a monolithic view; instead, compare Sunni and Shi'a approaches, or traditionalist and modernist interpretations. This demonstrates critical analysis and awareness of diversity.
• 💡Connect Islamic ethics to broader ethical theories. For example, compare the Islamic concept of 'adl (justice) with Rawls' theory of justice, or discuss how Islamic ethics might respond to utilitarianism. This shows synoptic understanding and impresses examiners.

• Failing to link specific Islamic teachings (e.g., Shari'ah, Five Pillars, Jihad) to the ethical theories being discussed.
• Treating Islamic ethics as a monolith without acknowledging the diversity of thought (e.g., Sunni vs. Shi'a, or different schools of jurisprudence).
• Ignoring the synoptic nature of the question by failing to connect the dialogue back to the core beliefs studied in Section A.
• Providing a descriptive account of ethical theories without evaluating their interaction with Islamic theology.
• Misconception: Islamic ethics are purely legalistic and leave no room for personal conscience. Correction: While Shari'ah provides guidelines, concepts like niyyah (intention) and taqwa (God-consciousness) emphasise inner morality and personal responsibility.
• Misconception: All Muslims agree on ethical issues because the Qur'an is clear. Correction: There is significant diversity due to different interpretations, schools of thought, and the use of ijtihad. For example, opinions on organ donation vary among scholars.
• Misconception: Islamic ethics are static and cannot adapt to modern issues. Correction: The principles of ijtihad and maqasid allow for dynamic responses, as seen in contemporary fatwas on cloning, finance, and environmental ethics.