Why do you try to be a good person?

[psyoptica]

I’ve been battling been battling with some deep inner thoughts that are making me question my moral principles.

What motivates you to be a good person and live a virtuous life? Are you good because there’s an expectation for a divine reward or you’re good out of fear of punishment in your afterlife?

I’ve always put my moral principles above everything else. I’m not perfect obviously and have done a lot of wrong but i try to always do the right thing and feel proud of myself. But lately i’ve been thinking “what’s the point?” Looking back, being “good” has done more harm than good. I think most people have figured it out and you find more people who are self serving than those that are genuinely good.

When I’m selfish i feel empowered and a lot more confident. I hate how the world works but I find it necessary to put yourself above everything else even when you have to sometimes do questionable things.

Thoughts?

 

[sweep_shot]

I try to be a good person because I have to answer to Allah (SWT). I don't want to burn in Hellfire. I want to end up in Jannah. That's the number one reason. That's the only reason.

 

[sweep_shot]

I try to be a good person because I have to answer to Allah (SWT). I don't want to burn in Hellfire. I want to end up in Jannah. That's the number one reason. That's the only reason.

If there wasn't any God or afterlife, I might have been more selfish and I might have punished my adversaries severely.

Since there is God and there is afterlife, I can't do as I please. I do not have the license to transgress. I am answerable to Allah (SWT).

 

[Major]

We are good so that the other person also acts good towards us.

Most of us cant deal with another person not being good or nice to us.

Someone who doesnt care about what people have to say about them or how others might treat them, will not need to act good towards others.

Oddly enough, its the latter which is more rational approach.

 

[Major]

What you have written about being empowered and all, i have been through that during my uni days. My confidence was high and all and i thought i can do anything.

What made me humble down and have a head down approach is when i learned about how cruel and brutal the job market was. And plus i fear depression and fear that god might give me depression or has given me depression to teach me a lesson.

I dont know, its abit complex topic. I dont like interacting with people and keep my interactions minimal with humans.

But i fear that if i go over, than God might take away the good things i have.

I think if a person figures out life, and thinks he has full control everything his employment and all and doesnt fear what God might invoke, than such a person can have that attitude where he doesnt have to act nice with others

 

[Suleiman]

Good and bad has been ordained by Allah Himself. You can use the word God if you like.

The test we have been given with the gift of free will is to choose to do good as He has defined and bypass the temptations of bad / evil by Iblees / Lucifer.

I used to have these thoughts like you mentioned OP, but diving deep into Islam and realizing it is the eternal truth that every prophet and messenger peace be upon them all have been sent to remind us to return to, it has given me all the purpose I need to live- even though I am nowhere near perfect regarding following it, but I do my best. I am human, I am suspectible to sin as well, but I am Muslim. Alhamdullilah.

 

[mominsaigol]

Not possible to be good all the time.

 

[Kianig89]

A good person is exploited taken for granted , a harsh reality of life.

 

[ElRaja]

good is subjective, especially when it comes to intentions and causality, however assuming we are taking a very basic idea of good. for me, i have very low tolerance for ambiguity in my relationships, so my core method of interaction is based on honesty, even if its gonna be hard i try to be honest to myself and others, everything else follows from this, i dont have any insecurity or secrets that i have to cover, so i can deal, what is in my opinion, fairly and justly with all the people in my life. as a consequence of this i have virtually no stress or tension about my friends and family and colleagues, this is my ideal mental state. beyond that i dont judge or care about peoples preferences for how they choose to live their life in matters which dont affect me.

im not saying this is the ideal way to go about things, ive had a lot of issues, especially among desi social groups where being upfront and confrontational is frowned upon where it disturbs social cohesion, but it is what it is.

A good person is exploited taken for granted , a harsh reality of life.

respectfully disagree, a good person with no self respect is taken for granated, there is no innate goodness in being a doormat for people who do not reciprocate your worth. a good person, imo, has to have a very strong sense of self respect, because if you dont respect yourself, how will you meaningfully respect others?

 

[ElRaja]

I’ve been battling been battling with some deep inner thoughts that are making me question my moral principles.

What motivates you to be a good person and live a virtuous life? Are you good because there’s an expectation for a divine reward or you’re good out of fear of punishment in your afterlife?

I’ve always put my moral principles above everything else. I’m not perfect obviously and have done a lot of wrong but i try to always do the right thing and feel proud of myself. But lately i’ve been thinking “what’s the point?” Looking back, being “good” has done more harm than good. I think most people have figured it out and you find more people who are self serving than those that are genuinely good.

When I’m selfish i feel empowered and a lot more confident. I hate how the world works but I find it necessary to put yourself above everything else even when you have to sometimes do questionable things.

Thoughts?

i think you need to reframe it, people arent self serving, they are insecure, the most insecure people end up doing the worst things, rather than feel bitterness or emnity towards them, you should recognise they are manifesting deep internal afflications.

put yourself above everything else is selfish, however putting yourself before everyone who does not value your worth is logical, but you have a group of your family and friends who have earned your respect and love, you make sacrifices for them, you make allowances for them. like with most things in life, its about balance.

 

[Ahmed216]

You'd try to do good and repent for your sins if you truly realise that you'll be held accountable for your actions in the court of Allah.
There'd be no moral standards without the concept of accountability(I.e paradise or hell fire)

One should abstain from doing questionable things in any situation.

Expect Good from Allah and understand that he has control over each and every affair in this world. There's nothing that escapes his knowledge.


And be patient in difficult times.

Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 153:
"O believers! Seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with those who are patient."