Al Kindi and Farabi

Muslim Philosophers’ Ethical View


There are many Muslim Philosophers that interested to study and write about ethic, akhlak, moral act which are related to Islamic principle. From all their works, we can conclude that only with good moral practice, an ethical person will achieves the actual happiness.


Al Kindi’s view


Freedom in Al Kindi’s work, based on Islamic principle, said that it was a heavenly principle that revealed for the sake of righteousness and elevating people on the earth. Freedom in Islam is accepted as long as the religion would not be toyed with. Human’s dignity and honour should not be transgressed upon.We have iradah, as thought faculty and also meant as inclined to action.
But what human did, all the causes and effects, everything that takes place in this universe influenced by the heavenly bodies, which is Allah’s will.


According to him, immorality can be defined as any action that against the good deeds and Islamic teaching. Coming worst, immoral people is who did not have good and beautiful relationship with Allah and his creature. It is not about immoral according to people judgment or society’s culture pressure, but how you behave according to the divine law, Islam, the only accepted religion.

The verses that affirm freedom and morality in Islam is:


Let there be no compulsion In religion: Truth stands out Clear from Error: whoever Rejects Evil and believes In Allah hath grasped The most trustworthy Handhold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth And knoweth all things (Al-Baqarah:259)


Summarization from surah Al-Israa:25-37

The effect of mankind worship to Allah
Be kind to parents
Be kind to relatives
The needy and wayfarer
Be wise in spending
Avoid stingy
To hindrance zina

Al-Farabi’s view


According to Al- Farabi, to achieve self-actualization, we should have primary principles of knowledge. Everybody heve the potential intellect (aql) that can lead people to think, and to distinguish bad from wrong.

He said that we have 3 principles which are the 3 first intelligences.

• Knowledge of geometry (math)
  
• Ethical knowledge
  
• Metaphysical knowledge
  

From the first principle, we learn the tangible objects via our five senses. Second principle, internalization occurs inside us which lead to distinguish good and evil. Then, third principle, we become aware that there is another dimension in this world, which is unseen. Absolutely no one can master metaphysical world.


He believe aql can find way to search for virtue. Throughout virtue search, we should do good deed consistently (istiqamah) together with moderate value (wasatiyyah).When we obtain pleasures from good deeds, performs them with ease, insyaAllah, he is heading towards self-actualization phase.


Purified soul will accelerate better in doing good action because it comes from moral perfection. Soul that is attached to the material won’t easily results good ethics unless liberated from it. Therefore, guardian should be conscious on the environment around their children. Ruler also holds the profound key towards producing good society.


To wrap up this, the substance that influences us to be ethical or vice versa is ourself, guardian, ruler and environment. But the most determine is Allah's will. Everybody just does own part and leave the rest to Allah.

Allahualam