Righteousness.

What constitutes righteousness?
this is the question on my mind today.

I wikied the word - righteousness and it was suprising to me that the only references were in light of the Old and new testament...

but i know that when reading the english translated Quran, righteousness is a strong theme of the message from God.

and by what yard stick do you define who is righteousss?

there ar emany different religions out there... and i am sure so many feverent worshippers sticking to what they find comfort in, trying to be the best they can be according to their faith..

because one is seen to act fastidously to ones religious tennents - does this mean that they are righteous?

some righteousness in the bible -

Matthew 5:6, ‘Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blest because they will be satisfied.’

Matthew 6:1 ‘Be careful not to do righteous things in front of men so they can see what you are doing. Otherwise, you won’t have a reward with your Father in heaven.’

Matthew 6:33, ‘[If you] put the Kingdom and righteousness in first place, then all these [other] things will be given to you.’

Matthew 11:19, ‘Wisdom is proven righteous by the things it does.’

James 3:18, ‘The seeds of the fruit of righteousness are planted in peace by those who are making peace.’

John 7:24, ‘Quit judging from the way things look on the surface; judge righteously!’

Romans 3:28. ‘We believe that a man is called righteous due to his faith, so he doesn’t have to follow the Law.’

James 2: 24, ‘A man is called righteous by the things he does, not just by his faith.’

Romans 6:12-14 ‘As the result, don’t allow sin to rule your mortal bodies and don’t obey its desires. Nor should you offer your body parts as unrighteous weapons of sin. Rather, offer yourselves to God as someone who has been raised from the dead, and [offer] your body parts to God as weapons of righteousness. So, sin must not be your master, because you aren’t under Law, but under [God’s] loving kindness.’

Romans 10:10 ‘It is this belief in your heart that makes you righteous, but it’s your mouth, when it confesses this, that brings salvation.’

Matthew 5:10, ‘Those who have been persecuted for doing what is right are blest, because the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs to them.’

Some Righteousness in Quran -

2:62 - Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve

2:130 - Who would forsake the religion of Abraham, except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.

2:179 - Equivalence is a life saving law for you, O you who possess intelligence, that you may be righteous.

2:177 - Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.

2:224 -Do not subject GOD's name to your casual swearing, that you may appear righteous, pious, or to attain credibility among the people. GOD is Hearer, Knower.

2:245 - Who would lend GOD a loan of righteousness, to have it repaid to them multiplied manifold? GOD is the One who provides and withholds, and to Him you will be returned

3:92 - You cannot attain righteousness until you give to charity from the possessions you love. Whatever you give to charity, GOD is fully aware thereof.

3:110 - You are the best community ever raised among the people: you advocate righteousness and forbid evil, and you believe in GOD. If the followers of the scripture believed, it would be better for them. Some of them do believe, but the majority of them are wicked.

3:179 - GOD is not to leave the believers as you are, without distinguishing the bad from the good. Nor does GOD inform you of the future, but GOD bestows such knowledge upon whomever He chooses from among His messengers. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. If you believe and lead a righteous life, you receive a great recompense.

4:114 - There is nothing good about their private conferences, except for those who advocate charity, or righteous works, or making peace among the people. Anyone who does this, in response to GOD's teachings, we will grant him a great recompense.

4:125 - Who is better guided in his religion than one who submits totally to GOD, leads a righteous life, according to the creed of Abraham: monotheism? GOD has chosen Abraham as a beloved friend.

what am i learning from all this?
well righteousness transcends religion.. it is not about religion. it is about God.
it is about utmost belief in God that God is.... and doing good for God, not for anyone but for God.

My Lord, accept me as a righteous servant of yours in this life and the hereafter, keep me devoted to thee alone.