Moral Excellence: The Path to Reflecting Divine Beauty or Becoming Shuhada

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 12 February 2025 Humanity has always sought answers to fundamental questions: Who is God? Why were we created? What is our role in this world? What happens after death? Scriptures across different traditions address these concerns, offering guidance on the nature of God, the purpose of creation, the moral code for human life, and the accountability of our deeds in the Hereafter. At the heart of all revelations lies a singular message: true success—both in this life and the next—lies in aligning ourselves with divine morality and, in doing so, reflecting divine beauty in our actions and character – in Quranic terminology, becoming Shuhada. The Role of Scriptures in Human Life All major religious scriptures provide insights into four essential aspects of existence: 1. The Concept of God – Scriptures reveal God as the source of wisdom, justice, mercy, and ultimate truth, establishing His sovereignty over creation and His relationship with human beings. 2. The Purpose of Creation – Life serves a divine plan, providing opportunities for moral and spiritual growth. Every experience—joy, suffering, success, and failure—shapes human character and prepares individuals for their ultimate destiny. 3. Guidance for Righteous Living – A moral code serves as a compass for human conduct. By adhering to divine principles—truthfulness, justice, compassion, humility, and self-restraint—human beings foster harmony within themselves and society, ultimately manifesting divine beauty in the world. 4. Accountability and the Hereafter – Moral guidance is not without consequence. Scriptures emphasize divine justice, rewarding righteousness and holding transgressions accountable, with the Hereafter as the ultimate reckoning. At the core of all revelation is the moral code—the very reason for divine guidance. More than rituals or theological debates, ethical living forms the foundation of spirituality and the means by which divine beauty is reflected in human life. Knowing God through His Moral Code God is known through His guidance—His moral order. True spirituality is not found in abstract speculation or mere emotional experiences but in righteous living. To love God is to love His moral law, the truest expression of devotion. If spirituality is about experiencing the divine, the only path is through moral excellence. One cannot claim to know God without embodying His attributes—truth, justice, mercy, and love. The divine is not reached through intellectual pursuit or isolated meditation but through the lived experience of righteousness, which in turn manifests divine beauty in human conduct. Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram: The Hindu Perspective The Hindu concept of Satyam (Truth), Shivam (God), and Sundaram (Beauty) offers profound insight into spirituality. It asserts that truth, divinity, and beauty are one and the same. Truth is the foundation of morality, and morality is the essence of God. A life devoted to truth and righteousness naturally leads to the experience of divine beauty. Beauty, in this context, is the bliss experienced when beliefs, deeds, and actions are in perfect alignment, bringing deep harmony and fulfilment. To pursue spirituality is to pursue truth, and to pursue truth is to experience divine beauty, which radiates from a morally upright life. Divine Beauty as the Ultimate Fulfilment Divine beauty consists of all that the human soul longs for—fulfilment, salvation, contentment, and self-actualization. It is the harmony of knowing one’s purpose, living righteously, and experiencing the joy of alignment with divine will. True fulfilment does not come from material wealth but from embodying divine attributes through moral excellence. A righteous life leads to inner peace, a sense of purpose, and an unshakable connection with the divine, allowing individuals to reflect divine beauty in their actions and character. Fana: Annihilation of the Self in Divine Love The Sufi concept of fana (annihilation of the self in God) adds a profound dimension to divine beauty. Fana does not mean physical merging with God but the surrender (Islam) of one’s ego, desires, and self-centeredness in devotion to Him. It is a state of moral and spiritual perfection where one’s will aligns completely with the divine. A person who attains fana no longer acts out of personal desire but out of love for God and His moral order. Their actions reflect divine attributes—truth, justice, compassion, and love. In this state, they experience the highest form of divine beauty—the beauty of nearness to God. This is the pinnacle of spiritual fulfilment: not merely to worship God but to become so attuned to His moral excellence that one’s very existence becomes a testament (Shuhada) to His divine beauty. The Reflection of Divine Beauty God is beautiful, and His beauty is reflected in us when we embody His divine attributes: 1. Truth: Living authentically and being honest in thoughts and actions. 2. Justice: Upholding fairness and equity in dealings with others. 3. Love: Fostering genuine care and affection for all beings. 4. Compassion: Showing empathy and kindness, especially to those in need. 5. Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and seeking reconciliation. 6. Patience: Maintaining calm and resilience in the face of challenges. 7. Steadfastness: Staying committed to values and principles regardless of circumstances. Living the Divine Code By striving to embody these attributes, we not only reflect God's beauty but also deepen our spiritual connection with Him. This alignment leads to a life marked by inner peace and fulfilment, as we live in accordance with a higher moral standard. By following His moral code, we become instruments of His beauty in the world, inspiring others to recognize and reflect divine attributes within themselves. In this way, we contribute to a more compassionate and just society, illuminating the path toward divine beauty for all. Conclusion: The Path to Divine Beauty Spirituality is not an escape from reality but an immersion into a higher reality—one defined by truth, righteousness, and divine beauty. All religious traditions point toward this truth: • Scriptures provide moral guidance as the key to spiritual fulfilment. • God is known through His moral order, and true spirituality is found in living by His divine principles. • The Hindu ideal of Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram emphasizes the unity of truth, God, and beauty. • Divine beauty is the fulfilment of human longing for purpose, righteousness, and ultimate salvation. • The Sufi path of fana illustrates how moral excellence leads to the deepest form of divine union. Thus, to seek divine beauty is to seek truth, and to seek truth is to seek God. The highest spiritual experience is not merely to believe in the divine but to embody His attributes through a life of moral excellence. This is the path to true fulfilment, salvation, and self-actualization—the experience of divine beauty in its fullest form. … A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. -------- URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/moral-excellence-divine-beauty-shuhada/d/134593 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism