How Can We Emphasize the Concept of Values ​​In Our Society?

During my professional experience, I worked with many international and multinational companies. On the employee's first day, the company is keen to introduce them to its values. Every company has its own unique values; they may ​​include, integrity, honesty, self-criticism, and empowerment. I strove to get to know these values and abide by them ​​because they reflect the company I work for. Values ​​and ethics are not limited to a belief, community, state or company. Many Greek philosophers such as Plato and others have formulated theories of ethics and virtues. All religions have honorable values ​​such as love, tolerance, human dignity and good treatment of others. In recent times, many companies, schools and governments have also begun to adopt some values, however, I believe that there is still a gap between what is practiced on the ground and what is being adopted by these entities. In my opinion, one reason for this discrepancy is that the concept of values is not instilled ​in children in our society nor is it practiced and applied in the life of each family, perhaps because values tend to be inherited and become an unconscious habit rather than values that are espoused publicly or in writing, as is done in some companies. It is said that the habits one acquires in childhood and adolescence remain until old age. In short, old habits die hard. For example, if a child is messy and unorganized, and not guided and taught how to be organized, it is highly likely that these habits will not change when he grows up. It is also said that learning something when you are young is like engraving a stone. That is to say, all customs, morals and values endure if they are learned in childhood. Imagine being asked about your values during a job interview or by a friend. If you have great values ​​you won’t find it difficult to talk about them and give examples because these values, such ​​as honesty, punctuality, dedication, devotion to work, have become a part of you. In contrast, there are other people who stutter in answering this question because such questions may have been absent in their home or workplace. What prompted me to write this article is that we are celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). On this important anniversary some recall his biography from birth to death. God describes Prophet Muhammad’s ethics in the Qur’an (68:4“And indeed, you are of a great moral character”) and these ethics are of the values ​​that came in the Qur'an as described by his wife Aisha, may God be pleased with her, (“His nature was the Qur’an”). Among the values ​​urged by the Qur’an and embodied by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which must be enforced in the upbringing for our children and adopted by us adults in our behaviors are the following: Improve behavior in words and deeds 17:53 “And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.”  4:86  “And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet [in return] with one better than it or [at least] return it [in a like manner]. Indeed, Allah is ever, over all things, an Accountant.” Honesty and not disseminating false news  10:69 “Say, ‘Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.’” Good work and community service 4:57 “But those who believe and do righteous deeds - We will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide forever. For them therein are purified spouses, and We will admit them to deepening shade.” Tolerance/forgiveness 24:22 “[...and let them pardon and overlook]” Patience 2:155 “...give good tidings to the patient” Being good to others … 28:77 “And do good as Allah has done good to you.” Respecting promises (including appointments and time) 19:54 “And mention in the Book, Ishmael. Indeed, he was true to his promise” Mercy 21:07 “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” Transparency 66:01 “O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Self-criticism 39:18 “Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allah has guided, and those are people of understanding.” Empowerment 24:55 “[Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security…]” On the occasion of the birth of the Prophet, I want to show the importance of instilling the values ​​mentioned in the Quran and embodied in the behavior and biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in our children. In order to have a positive impact and to cultivate the concept of values ​​not only in words but in action,  I suggest: For everyone to incorporate the values ​​that they wish to possess and to abide by the correct behaviors. At the family level, I suggest that you write the values ​​that your family wants to follow, as some of the companies mentioned in the introduction have done. Thus, the beautiful values ​​that are at the heart of all Abrahamic religions, and which are mentioned in the Holy Quran and embodied in the biography and behavior of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, are rediscovered.   Note: English translations of Qur’anic verses from Sahih International, Quran.com