A Comparative Study of the Ethical System of "Islam" and "Tao"

A comparative study between the principles and ethical teachings of Islam and Tao initiates a new perspective on the dialogue between the heavenly and non-heavenly religions. Using a desk-research method, and focusing on the main Islamic and Taoist texts through a comparative perspective, this paper studies the similarities and differences between Islamic and Taoist ethical foundations; the foundations such as, the criterion of good and evil, the necessity of having a moral life, the cause of the good and evil, and also, the relativity of moral teachings. The comprehensiveness of the moral system of Islam in all worldly and other worldly aspects besides its social perspective, and the passive and one-dimensional and worldly Taoist perspective on the moral teachings are among the main differences between these two religions. The existence of an ethical ideal man who is the embodiment of good morals and the founder of utopia, are among the most important similarities between Islam and Taoism.