Articles

As we rise in the social scale, it’s vital to create the next generation of righteous servants of Allah ﷻ; those who will glorify and elevate His name, and spread His Deen before Islam slowly withers out. This crucial undertaking starts with us examining our akhlāq; whether we ourselves are capable of becoming a Muslim with good moral virtues.

Introduction

Human beings are the most honored of Allah ﷻ. Though, such framing of the ideals the world has imposed, has made us prone to absorbing the effects of our environment which are extremely brutal and, in the process, we start losing our value as a human being.

In the pursuit of merits that have become more intense, the illusion of reaching worldly greatness has not only suffocated our faith but significantly affected our akhlāq, or morality of character — a profound component of belief that validates our standing before Allah’s eyes.

Mind your Surroundings

Our significance to Allah ﷻ as human beings is personified through our faith. And the underlying essence of faith is shaped by akhlāq. Our presence, mannerisms and conduct, truly defines our uprightness as believers. The man who is unblemished in character himself, the Prophet ﷺ, articulated:

أكمل المؤمنين إيماناً أحسنهم خلقاً ‘

“The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one whose character is most excellent.” (at-Tirmidhi)

A sign of excellence in character is a consequence of one’s devotion and submission to Allah ﷻ. Allah ﷻ tells us that no one is ennobled in His sight except His servants who are mindful and obedient in submission to Him. Those who maintain good akhlāq with Allah ﷻ and have a profound relationship with the Creator, are those who unequivocally exhibit good conduct with His creation.

To establish good character, we need to be acquainted with the righteous servants of Allah who will increase our closeness to Allah ﷻ. Good companionship will have an effect on our faith. This was the beauty of the relationship the Companions — their camaraderie helped refine their character and positively impacted their faith. 

When it comes to socializing, it is critical to pay attention to the circles we surround ourselves in. Associating with well-mannered acquaintances will always lead us to goodness. In contrast, being around people with the worst of characteristics and the lowest of ethics are damning, no matter how pious they may seem from a religious perspective. Sooner or later, the bad effects of such company will rub off on us, as the Prophet ﷺ mentioned:

"‏ مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالْجَلِيسِ السَّوْءِ كَمَثَلِ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ، وَكِيرِ الْحَدَّادِ، لاَ يَعْدَمُكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا تَشْتَرِيهِ، أَوْ تَجِدُ رِيحَهُ، وَكِيرُ الْحَدَّادِ يُحْرِقُ بَدَنَكَ أَوْ ثَوْبَكَ أَوْ تَجِدُ مِنْهُ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً ‏"‏‏.‏

"The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

The Prophetic Mannerism

Allah ﷻ had divinely molded the Prophet ﷺ with perfect akhlāq as a role model to mankind, and his admirable personality became the main attraction to Islam. 

The Prophet ﷺ was not only loved as Allah’s great Messenger, but as a great man himself. He was able to influence others with his message through the love he emanated — this love was what motivated the Companions’ personal development at the start of acquiring faith. No man has been able to influence humanity like he did, no one else is more followed than him, and this pervasive feeling of love is clearly seen until today.

As believers, our focal point of attaining a high level of faith starts with holding ourselves to a high standard of akhlāq in both our private life and social life; exemplified through the Prophet’s teachings. Our greatest source of inspiration and guidance is the Prophet ﷺ. When we emulate his Sunnah and implement the akhlāq of our pious predecessors in our own lives, we are able to rise to greater spiritual heights morally. 

The Prophet ﷺ has motivated us to treat others kindly, irrespective of the circumstances. His intense pain did not stop him from making a powerful supplication of mercy for the people who pelted him out of Ta’if. His heartfelt complain to Allah ﷻ teaches us that the actions of a Muslim should never be one of hostility but leniency. 

Adopting an easy-going and gentle mannerism are of paramount importance as believers. The more genuine, compassionate and kind we are with others, the better Muslims we become. Wherever we go, our words should be tender, uplifting, moving and healing; defeating the challenges of this world. 

The notable Caliph, Harun al-Rashid, was once abrasively addressed by a man, he retorted, “Am I worse than Firawn?” When the man replied in the negative, he asked, “Are you better than Musa?” The man said, “No.” Then, he cited the verse from Surah Taha in which Allah ﷻ instructed Musa AS to speak gently to Firawn:

فَقُولَا لَهُۥ قَوْلًا لَّيِّنًا لَّعَلَّهُۥ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىٰ

Speak to him gently, so perhaps he may be mindful of Me or fearful of My punishment.” (20:44)

This example entails conversational etiquette and the correct manners of dealing with people in difficult situations. Even if we are on the path of haqq (truth), we are expected to emerge with proper conduct and in accord with the needs of the situation. 

A requirement of haqq is saying the right thing at the right time and in the right way. If we are able to converse with others gently, perhaps it will allows us to plant the seeds of ʾīmān and soften the hearts of others. The way we deal with situations is our gain, unless we choose to substitute it with loss. How we use our tongues, how we act out our responses, how we address people, treat them and deal with them — the choice is up to us.

Aisha reported: The Prophet ﷺ said:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَيُعْطِي عَلَى الرِّفْقِ مَا لَا يُعْطِي عَلَى الْعُنْفِ وَمَا لَا يُعْطِي عَلَى مَا سِوَاهُ

“Allah is gentle, and He loves gentleness. He rewards for gentleness what is not granted for harshness, and He does not reward anything else like it.” (Muslim)

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