We need to follow ethics because it defines who we are as individual and as a society. All religions in the world discuss ethics as an essential part of life. Ethics are the bases of an individual, a society and the religion. Both in Islamic perspective and Western perspective Ethics are defined as moral principles that govern a person’s behavior. All religions emphasize of the rights of individual on each other and of society.
In all religions of the world ethics has played very vast role. The Dalai lama of the Buddhism are known for their ethics, the clerics of Islam are known for their ethics. But what define ethics, is the moral principles which govern person behavior.
The believers of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) got attracted towards Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) because of the truthfulness, generosity and pleasantness. And all these qualities if bind together are known as ethics. The western ethical structure and Islamic ethical structure have some difference because western ethical structure is based on Judeo-Chrisitian ethical structure. The difference arises at the liberalism part. Apart from these differences western and Islamic ethical structure is same or more precisely identical.
Discussion
Ethics in Islamic Perspective
The Islamic system runs in the light of shariah. Ethical system in Islam is also based on Law of Shariah. According to Islamic Shariah law whoever work for the sake of humanity, work for the betterment of the society is morally good. And whatever is injurious to society is morally bad.
Islamic ethical structure forces its followers to strictly guard their behavior, words, thoughts, and intentions and observe certain norms and moral codes in their family affairs; in dealings with relatives, neighbors, and friends; in their business transactions; in their social affairs; and in private and public life.
For Muslim, both law and ethics are ultimately concerned with moral obligations, which they believe are the central focus of the Islamic message. Islam also has its own distinctive value-based ethical system for business dealings. It prescribes certain specific guidelines governing business ethics, which are dictated primarily by the notion of halal (lawful or permitted) and Haram (unlawful or prohibited) as per Islamic jurisprudence
Islam has its own ethical structure for the business dealings. This ethical structure prescribes specific guidelines for the business community, these guidelines are specifically based on Halal(Lawful) and Haram (Unlawful). A Muslim is expected to be humble before God and with other people. Islam also enjoins upon every Muslim to exercise control of their passions and desires. Islam warns against excessive attachment to the pleasures of this world.
Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to international relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability.
Western Ethical Structure
Western Ethical structure is highly influenced by Islamic ethical structure. Because Muslim rule over Europe and also currently Islam is the second largest religion Of Europe after Christianity.
Western Ethical structure has also been influenced by Greeks. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle who started talking about morality. They are the founders of Greek ethics and philosophy. Greek Ethics tries to prove “What is good life?” According to Greek ethical structure an ethical life is happy and good life.
There are different theories which are based on ethics. Such as:
Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that argues the proper course of action is one that maximizes a positive effect, such as 'happiness', 'welfare'.
Consequentialism: It refers to moral theory which hold the consequences of a particular action form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that action.
Hedonism: Hedonism points that the principal ethic is maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain.
Where is the difference?
Islam believes in collectivism, not individualism. (Islamic teachings expand outwards with the family as the unit of society, not the individual.)
Ethical principles are not determined by the vote of the majority. (If society votes for unethical condition to be true or ethical, it won’t be accepted in Islamic ethics.)
Conclusions
Islamic and western Ethical structure are almost same but still there exist some differences between them. Islamic ethics are based on shariah which emphasizes on being humble with Allah and other people and to think of consequences before your actions.
Western ethical structure also emphasize on good behavior with yourself and with society. It is mixture for Greek ethical system and it is identical to Islam but there are some differences such as individualism and accepting anything if it has majority.
Refernces
https://www.whyislam.org/social-ties-2/morality-ethics-in-islam/
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-94-007-1494-6_3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_ethics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics