SYED ABUL A'LA MAUDUDI'S CONCEPT OF THE ISLAMIC SYSTEM OF LIFE: A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR PRESENT SOCIETY

Syed Abul A'la Maududi (1903–1979), a distinguished Islamic scholar and thinker, presented a distinctive ethical framework that integrates spirituality, morality, and social justice under the sovereignty of Allah. Maududi's ethical philosophy critiques contemporary moralities that emerge from secular and materialistic ideologies, which he argues fail to offer lasting fulfillment and justice. For him, true morality stems from the divine guidance provided by Islam, where ethical principles such as Taqwa (God-consciousness) and Ihsan (excellence in character) form the foundation of both personal conduct and societal structures. Islam, as presented by Maududi, is not a mere set of beliefs but a comprehensive moral system that governs every aspect of life, ensuring balance and equity. His critique of modern Western ideologies such as liberalism, secularism, and socialism highlights the weaknesses in their ethical foundations, emphasizing that these systems often lead to moral decay and societal inequality. This paper delves into Maududi’s ethical vision, offering an in-depth analysis of the Islamic approach to morality and its potential to address the pressing ethical challenges of the modern world