Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 220
220 and judgement. The Prophet has said that the value of human conduct is determined by the motive and intent that inspire it. An act done under the uncontrolled and unregulated operation of a natural instinct is not a moral act. It may do good or it may do harm, but it does not possess a moral quality. The Quran classifies moral qualities from different points of view. For instance, there are those that relate to the mind and those that relate to the body. What becomes or can become known to others except when disclosed by the person concerned may both possess a moral quality. The Quran directs: “Approach not evils and indecencies whether manifest or hidden” (6:152). Man is accountable in respect of both kinds of conduct: that which manifests itself in action and that which is contemplated and meditated, but does not find overt expression (2:285). For example, a person who is openly arrogant acts immorally, but equally immoral is the person who, though outwardly meek and humble, nurses pride in the secret depths of his heart. “They were presumptuous in their hearts and were also very overbearing” (25:22). Again, moral conduct may be good or it may be bad. Among other characteristics of something which is good is that it is positive; it overcomes and prevails against that which is bad and, therefore, negative