| | | Regarding Manners and Character |  |
| | | كاتب الموضوع | رسالة |
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أحمد محمد لبن Ahmad.M.Lbn
مؤسس ومدير المنتدى
عدد المساهمات : 48824
العمر : 71
| | موضوع: Regarding Manners and Character السبت 16 أكتوبر 2021, 5:00 pm | |
| Regarding Manners and Character
After the initial Muslim victories that liberated people from the tyranny of tribal warlords and the oppression of Roman and Persian occupation, Islam rapidly spread eastward to China, westward to Spain and deep into Africa. This phenomenon was not due to further military conquest, but to the exemplary personalities of energetic Muslims who traveled to their lands as tradesmen, workers and educators.
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In those early centuries of Islam, the Prophet’s Sunnah was the unmistakable model of conduct which formed a Muslim’s character. Often, mere contact with Muslim believers was enough to interest the local population in the remarkable religion that had produced such a high standard of justice and morality among ordinary men.
Allah granted those Muslims success as a consequence of adherence to the Sunnah in their public and private lives. This they did out of certain knowledge that it is the true means to their Lord’s approval. On numerous occasions Allah’s Messenger had affirmed, "The most beloved of His servants to Allah is the best of them in character.103 There is nothing heavier on the balance than good character."104
A person’s character, unlike his physical appearance, is something that can be altered, and this is among the main purposes for which religion was ordained. Allah’s Messenger provided warnings, encouragement and practical advice for the improvement of manners, behavior and character.
One positive aspect of a believer’s character is satisfaction with whatever Allah has provided and decreed, appreciation of his Lord’s blessings and not being overly concerned with worldly pleasures and comforts. He can then turn more of his attention to things that will benefit him in the eternal life to come.
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103 Narrated by at-Tabarani - saheeh.
104 Narrated by Ahmad - saheeh.
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The Prophet stated:
Wealth is not in an abundance of goods, but it is in contentment of the soul.105 Eat, drink, give charity and dress without extravagance or pride.106 What is little and sufficient is better than what is much and distracting.107 Look to him [whose condition is] below you and do not look to him above you, for that is more likely that you will not underestimate Allah’s favor upon you.108
Gabriel came to me and said, "O Muhammad, live as long as you will, for indeed you will die. And love whom you will, but you will be leaving him. And do what you will, for you will be compensated for it. And know that the honor of a believer is his standing in night prayer and that his power is in freedom from dependency upon people."109
A man came to the Prophet and said, "O Messenger of Allah, direct me to a deed which, when I have done it, Allah will love me and people will love me." He replied, "Be indifferent toward [pleasures of] the world and Allah will love you, and be indifferent to what is in the hands of people and people will love you."110
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105 Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
106 Narrated by Ahmad - saheeh.
107 Narrated by Abu Ya‘laa - saheeh.
108 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
109 Narrated by al-Hakim - hasan.
110 Narrated by Ibn Majah, at-Tabarani and al-Hakim - saheeh
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The measure of Allah’s love and honor for His righteous servant of good character may be shown in unexpected ways, but it is not always apparent from his condition in the present life. Allah’s Messenger explained: "Within my ummah are those who, if one of them asked Allah for Paradise, He would grant it to him; but if he asked Allah for something from this world, He would not give it to him out of regard for him."111
Acquiring new qualities that build good character is possible with effort and discipline. The Prophet himself used to ask Allah to direct him to the best of manners and morals and enable him to practice them. He would say, "O Allah, guide me to the best manners; none can guide to the best of them but You. And turn away from me bad manners; none can turn them away from me but You.112
The Messenger of Allah had much to offer in the way of guidance in this respect. His general advice to those who inquired was, "Say, ’I believe in Allah’, and then be upright."113 This concise answer shows that faith alone, or the claim of faith, is insufficient, and that words must be proven by deeds. A Muslim is required to be upright in all his dealings, and especially toward his Creator through careful obedience and sincere worship.
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111 i.e., in order to protect him from that which has no real benefit or might be harmful. Narrated by at-Tabarani - hasan.
112 Narrated by Muslim.
113 Narrated by Muslim
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Then, he must be honest, ethical and considerate with respect to all people, creatures and creations. Whoever would like to be saved from the Fire and enter Paradise should meet death believing in Allah and the Last Day, and should do to people as he would like done to him.114 None of you [truly] believes until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.115 Do not consider anything good as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a pleasant face.116 Allah is generous and loves generosity; and He loves high morality and hates base morality.117 The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks it and when he is entrusted he betrays.118
In addition to the Prophet’s own words, there are hadiths in which his character was described by those who knew him. For example, a boy who served him for nine years, said, "He was the best of people, the most generous of people and the most courageous of people. He never said about anything I did, ’Why did you do that?’ and he never mentioned my faults. He never even said, ’uff’ to me"119 His wife, A’ishah, replied to a man who inquired, "His manner was the Qur’an"120, meaning that he lived according to its teachings.
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114 Narrated by Muslim.
115 Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
116 Narrated by Ahmad and Muslim.
117 Narrated by at-Tabarani and al-Hakim - saheeh.
118 Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
119 Narrated by Muslim. "Uff" is an expression showing displeasure.
120 Narrated by Ahmad and Muslim.
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She also said, "The Messenger of Allah never struck anyone with his hand, not a woman nor a servant, except when fighting for the cause of Allah. And he never took revenge on anyone who had harmed him, except that when a prohibition of Allah was violated he would retaliate on behalf of Allah."121 And he said, "Allah has revealed to me that you should be modest, so that no one shows conceit over another and no one tyrannizes another."122
Consideration for others was noticeable in his day to day behavior. When leading the people in prayer he would be brief so as not to cause them hardship, although while alone he would prolong his prayer for lengthy periods, especially at night.
When he heard something objectionable about someone, he would not mention his name in public, but only say, "What is the matter with people who do such and such?"123 He expressed anxiety for his followers and for the future of the Muslims, warning them to be alert and not to fall into practices that lead to individual failure or to collective decline and downfall: "I do not fear for you from poverty, but I fear for you from competition in worldly increase.
And I do not fear for you from error, but I fear for you from deliberate intent."124 Concern for all people was evident in the way he grieved for those who refused his message of truth and justice, preferring instead the path leading to Hellfire and eternal regret.
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121 Narrated by Muslim.
122 Narrated by Muslim.
123 Narrated by Abu Dawud - saheeh.
124 Narrated by Ahmad and al-Hakim - saheeh.
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| | | | أحمد محمد لبن Ahmad.M.Lbn
مؤسس ومدير المنتدى
عدد المساهمات : 48824
العمر : 71
| | موضوع: رد: Regarding Manners and Character السبت 16 أكتوبر 2021, 5:02 pm | |
| A person of good character has been described as one who is not resentful, stingy or covetous, does not annoy people and avoids insulting and backbiting. He is modest, dignified truthful, patient and friendly. He is concerned with people but not intrusive; he strives to satisfy others, he is pleasant, appreciative, and sympathetic but not naive. He is committed, dedicated and alert, and he can be firm when necessary.
This was the disposition of Allah’s Messenger, whose awareness of real life situations prompted him to warn, "The believer is not bitten from the same hole twice."125 And he advised, "Love the one you love moderately, for perhaps he will be hated by you one day. And hate the one you hate moderately, for perhaps he will be loved by you one day."126 In addition, he pointed Muslims in the right direction by saying, "Whoever loves for Allah and hates for Allah and gives for Allah and withholds for Allah has completed the faith."127
The Prophet of Allah directed people how to recognize within themselves the signs of righteousness and wrongdoing, saying, "Righteousness is good morals, and wrongdoing is that which wavers within yourself and you would dislike people to discover."128 He taught through his own example, but his instructions and advice give additional emphasis.
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125 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
126 Narrated by at-Tirmidhi- saheeh.
127 Narrated by Abu Dawud - hasan.
128 Narrated by Muslim.
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Let there be no harm [to anyone] and no harming [in reciprocation].129 Whoever of you sees a wrong, let him change it by his hand; and if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.130
The believer who mixes with the people and is patient with their abuse is better than the believer who does not mix with the people and is not patient with their abuse.131 Should I not inform you of the best witness? It is the one who produces his evidence before he is asked for it.132 Make things easy and do not make them difficult; give good tidings and do not drive [people] away.133
May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when he sells, lenient when he buys and lenient when he requests payment.134 Those who are merciful will be given mercy by the Most Merciful. Have mercy upon those on the earth and you will obtain mercy from Him in the heaven.135
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129 Narrated by Ibn Majah and ad-Daraqutni - hasan
130 Narrated by Muslim. Thus, there is no faith in the heart of someone who does not dislike wrongdoing or find it objectionable.
131 Narrated by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi - saheeh.
132 Narrated by Muslim
133 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
134 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
135 Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi - saheeh.
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Do not envy one another; do not deceive one another; do not hate one another; do not turn your backs on one another; and do not intrude on the transactions of one another, but be, O servants of Allah, brothers.136 From the excellence of a person’s Islam is his leaving alone what does not concern him.137 He is in a good state who is occupied with his own faults rather than the faults of [other] people.138
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should say what is good or keep quiet.139 Sufficient it is as a lie for a person to speak of everything he hears.140 Do not backbite Muslims or pursue their faults. For he who pursues the fault of his brother Muslim - Allah will pursue his fault, and when Allah pursues his fault, He will expose him, even if he should be in the interior of his house.141
If someone insults you and describes you with a fault you do not have, do not describe him with a fault he does have. Rather, let him earn the sin, and you will have the reward; and do not curse anyone.142 The Messenger of Allah advocated tolerance, forgiveness and avoiding revenge.
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136 Narrated by Muslim.
137 Narrated by at-Tirmidhi - hasan-saheeh.
138 Narrated by al-Bazzar - hasan.
139 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
140 Narrated by Muslim.
141 Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud - saheeh.
142 Narrated by Ibn Hibban - saheeh
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He said, "Indeed,Allah is kind and loves kindness. He grants for kindness what He does not grant for harshness.143 No household is given lenience but that it benefits them.144 Allah does not increase His servant who pardons [others] except in honor."145 He would excuse those who were offensive in their dealings with him on a personal level, but if the transgression had to do with disobedience to Allah or injustice to others, he would show his disapproval and anger, and would not hesitate to take appropriate action.
This is reflected in severe warnings to unrepentant transgressors:
The most ruthless in punishing people in this world will be the most ruthlessly punished of people by Allah on the Day of Resurrection.146 The most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection is an unjust leader.147 Fear the supplication of one who is wronged, even a non-believer, for there is nothing to screen it [from Allah].148 For every traitor there will be a banner by which he will be known on the Day of Resurrection.149
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143 Narrated by Muslim and Abu Dawud.
144 Narrated by at-Tabarani - saheeh
145 Narrated by Muslim.
146 Narrated by Ahmad - saheeh.
147 Narrated by at-Tabarani - hasan
148 Narrated by Ahmad - saheeh.
149 Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
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Among that which people knew from the words of former prophecy is: When you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish.150 The worst of people is one that others leave alone out of fear of his evil.151 The warnings issued by Allah’s Messenger about punishments in the next life are balanced with countless indications of how to avoid them and attain Paradise through correct worship and righteous deeds.
Study and reflection reveal that the Prophet’s guidance is comprehensive, balanced and complete. He used a variety of approaches in dealing with different issues because conditions and personalities are diverse. He observed, "Indeed, the religion is easy, and no one will make religion difficult but that it will overpower him. So do what is right, strive for perfection, receive good tidings [of reward], and seek help through prayer in the mornings, afternoons and some part of the night."152
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150 Narrated by al-Bukhari.
151 Narrated by al-Bukhari
152 Narrated by al-Bukhari. |
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