Importance of good character in Islam
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, no doubt that every religion is based on good conduct and
manners. This is why every Messenger and Prophet of Allah taught good manners and the
excellence of good character to his followers. However, the position of the Holy Prophet
Mohammed in this field is like a seal. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran which means “And
you (stand) on an exalted standard of character”. The Holy Prophet himself said “I have
been sent to complete the forms of good character”.
Hazrat Abu Zar (RA) sent his brother from Madinah to Mecca inquiring about Prophet . After
coming back he said “I have seen him ordering for good character”. When Hazrat Ja’afar
Twayyar (RA) delivered speech in front of Abyssinia’s king, NAJJASHI, he said "O King, we
were a people in a state of ignorance and immorality, worshipping idols and eating the flesh of
dead animals, committing all sorts of abomination and shameful deeds. We were breaking the
ties of kinship, treating guests badly and the strong among us exploited the weak. We remained
in this state until Allah sent us a Prophet(one of our own people whose lineage, truthfulness,
trustworthiness and integrity was ) well-known to us. He called us to worship Allah alone and to
renounce the stones and the idols we used to worship besides Allah. He commanded us to speak
the truth, honor our promises, be kind to our relations, be helpful to our neighbors, cease all
forbidden acts, abstain from bloodshed, avoid obscenities and false witness, and not to
appropriate an orphan's property nor slander chaste women”.
Hazrat Abu Sufyan (RA) when he was still in the state of disbelieve and called by Heraclius to
speak about Prophet he said “He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship
anything along with Him. He also told us to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders
us to pray, speak the truth, be chaste and to keep good relations with our Kith and kin.”
In Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says in many places regarding the Holy Prophet “WA
YUZAKKEHIM WA YUALLIMUHUM UL KITABA-A WAL HIKMAH” which means: he
(Prophet ) purifies them and teaches them The Book and wisdom.
In this verse Allah (SWT) used two words, Tazkiyah and Hikmah. The meaning of Tazkiyah is
purifying, cleansing and removes stains. The well known meaning of Hikmah is wisdom. Allah
(SWT) also used this word when talking about good characteristics and morals. In the Chapter of
Bani Israil Allah describes His Tawheed :“Respect and obey your parents, help your relatives as
well as the poor and needy”. After mentioning about Tawheed He says “ ZAALIKA MIMMA
AWHAINA ILAIKA RABBUKA MINAL HIKMAH” which means: “These are among the
(precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to you.” In the same way Allah (SWT) says
in the Chapter of LUQMAN “ WA LAQAD AATAINA LUQMANAL HIKMATA ANISHKUR
LILLAH” which means: “We bestowed (in the past) Wisdom on Luqman.” Then Allah (SWT)
explains what He taught. “Do not worship anyone beside’s Allah, be kind with the parents,
establish Salah, enjoin good and for forbid evil”…. and much more.
After hearing this little explanation you can understand that the word Hikmah (Arabic for
wisdom) is sometimes used as a description of good character. Based on this Ayat, the mission of
the Holy Prophet was also to purify the heart and character of the believers by performing
the DA’WAH that Allah (SWT) commanded him to perform. As it is understood, the status of
good character in Islam is very high because Allah (SWT) said “Its wisdom”.
When we go in deep search of Akhlaq (good character) in Islam we reach a point where we have
a very strong connection with every necessary aspect of Islam. A few examples are belief,
worship, God conciseness and the rights of others upon us. Let me explain this briefly to help
you understand.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, we all know that there are five pillars in Islam. Besides the
Shahadah, there are four other pillars of various forms of worship. Let us look first how close
and strong Akhlaq is connected to one’s Imaan. Allah (SWT) says in the beginning of Suratul
Mo;minoon “QAD AFLAHAL MOMINOON” means: :Believers are successful”. Then He
mentions many characteristics of the believers. Based on these and other verses in the Qu’ran,
along with many Ahadees the scholars mentioned, our Imaan increases and decreases. So look
how strongly connected the good character is with a believer’s Imaan.
Now we come to the Salah and the remaining pillars of Islam. Allah (SWT) says in Qu’ran
regarding the Salah “ INNAS SALATA TANHA ANIL FAHSHA-E WAL MUNKAR” which
means: “verily Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds.”
And Allah (SWT) said about Fasting “ LA’ALLAKUM TAT’TAQOON” which means: “ may
you observe your duties.” And we know that the concept of Zakat (the poor due) is meant to help
us understand hardship of other Muslim brothers and sisters as well as to fulfill their needs. We
also understand Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is meant to correct and purify the believer’s
character in an immense way.
By this explanation, I hope that you understand that the basic five pillars of Islam have different
names. However, the concept of each form of worship teaches the same… good character, belief
and manners. If these IBAADAAT ( forms of worship) do not affect an individual’s life, causing
him or her to be a strong believer with an excellent character, then he or she must understand that
their IBAADAAT are worthless. Sufiyaa-e kiraam explained this very well in their books. Allow
me to quote from Imaam Ghazali’s book “Ihya ul uloom” and finish my talk.
Allah says : “ Pray to remember me” “Don’t be one of the heedless” “Don’t come near prayer
when you are intoxicated .” Some say that intoxication means a great anxiety or that it means
attachment to the world. There are many worshippers who do not drink wine but they do not
know what they say in prayer. The Prophet said: “If a man prays two rakats without any thought
of the world therein, his sins are forgiven.” The Prophet also said: “Prayer is the embodiment of
modesty, humility, entreaties, repentance, raising of hands and utterance of the words “ O Allah,
O Allah”. He who does not do it (humbly) is a cheat. In earlier scriptures Allah says: “I don’t
accept the prayer of everyone. I accept the one who humbles himself before My glory, does not
take boast in doing My service and gives food for My sake to the hungry and poor. I have made
prayer compulsory, ordered for Hajj and Tawaf for My remembrance. If you have no fear of
Allah in your mind, what is the value of your Zikr?
May Allah (swt) give us Tawfeeq to follow in the footsteps of Rasool and make our
character, manners and actions among the best, Ameen.