A muslim differs from all other types of people on earth; they worship and prostrate to other than Allah; some of them worship the sun, the moon, stars, cows, and idols, such as those who worship Buddha. Conversely, a Muslim worships only Allah and believes that He is All-Capable; He is the all-powerful; the Almighty; the omnipotent; the Holy; the all-dominant; the sustainer and the creator. All these things reflect on the life of the believer and make him different to all other types of people on earth. Islam a religion of peace has very much emphasized on the positive character of a person while living in any kind of society. In the context of positive character it means that one must be a helping and problem solving mood for everyone because the ideals and leaders of Islam have preached and practiced the same. A muslim should know his own position and worth, and realize the responsibility upon him and did not seek to overstep it. If we examine the history of all the prophets that have passed away from this world and whom religions are recognized by Islam we may see a true example of the character of a Muslim because all the Muslims have faith in all the previous religions and cannot do against any act of any Prophet of the past. We have a beautiful model in each and every branch of the life of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Almighty Allah describes the Prophet’s character in the noble Quran as uswatun hasana (the most beautiful pattern of conduct, Quran 33:21), who was sent to bring humanity out of darkness into light (Quran, 65:11). The self is a special gift given to mankind by God, it is not part of the material body of man. Although it uses the body as a vehicle for its expression, it is not bound by space and time and therefore not subject to any physical laws. Since the essence of self is freedom of choice, the Divine Will in the sphere of man performs this function as guidance and human beings can accept or reject this guidance. The Quran is very clear on this point: O Messenger of Allah Muhammad (pbuh) proclaim to the entire mankind that truth has come from your Rabb, whosoever may accept or reject it – Quran Chapter 18 verse 29. Good conduct and noble character are the most valuable and precious assets of any human society. They are the treasures of pride for any individual. They build nations and make them imitable among others. No human society can be humane without them. Nations and people without good conduct and high character are nothing but a group of animals living with laws of the Jungle. People of high character and good conduct are high in any society. They follow the straight path of the religion of Allah Almighty, by saying and by doing and as a creed. Islam’s main objective is to develop the character of every human being. There are two levels of character; an ordinary and a superior level. An ordinary character is based on this principle: Do as you have been done by i.e., breaking with those who break with him, wronging those who wrong him, and harming those who harm him. However, the higher level of character is based on a different principle. This higher principle is: “Do as you would like to be done by.” This principle is elaborated by our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in another way: “Love for your brother what you love for yourself.” Whoever possesses such a character deals with both, friends and foes, in the same manner, such thinking could easily change the behaviour of the whole human society. Once the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was so badly stoned by his enemies that he was bleeding all over his body. This happened when he went to Taif, to call them to Islam. Instead of listening to his words of wisdom, they set the street urchins upon him, who kept chasing him till nightfall. Even at that point, when he was utterly exhausted and bleeding from head to foot, all he said was: O my Lord, guide my people along the true path, as they are ignorant of the truth. A Muslim leader must be kind, compassionate and forgiving towards those whom he leads. Holy Prophet (pbuh) encouraged to be forgiving and seek reconciliation. When he (pbuh) entered Makkah as victor, everyone was offered amnesty. A true Muslim never break the law of Islam whatever may be the situation. If all people could adopt this highly principled character, the enmity, antagonism, envy and bloody confrontations would diminish from the human society. The person possessing this character is reconciliatory, even joining with those who break with him. He is compassionate, even to those who seek to harm him. He is forbearing, even towards those who wrong him. This is the principle of ethics for the Muslim Ummah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as a teacher of the best and highest conduct and characters, was himself an embodiment of all noble qualities and values. The whole of Makkah had witnessed his noble characters for forty years before he received revelations, and called him Al-Sadiq and Al-Ameen. Friends and foes nobody could dispute his sublime characters. Good character includes suppressing one’s anger, and being gentle and humble. Allah Most High has said: Surely, you are of tremendous nature, [68:4] and: Those who suppress their anger, and forgive other people – assuredly, Allah loves those who do good [3:134]. The Messenger of Allah, (pbuh), was never immoderate or obscene. He used to say, ‘Among those who are most beloved to me are those who have the finest character.’ Hazrat `Aa’isha, (R.A), said, Never was the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), given the choice between two things without choosing the easier of them, as long as it entailed no sin. If it did entail sin, he was of all people the most remote from it. Never did he seek revenge for something done against himself; but when the sanctity of Allah was challenged, he would take vengeance for His sake alone (Bukhari and Muslim). There can be no better example of sublime justice, relevant to all times and places, that of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when he said, I swear in the name of Allah, even if Fatima (R.A) the daughter of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), had committed theft, I would cut off her hand (Bukhari and Muslim). Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) said: Indeed Allah is gentle and loves gentleness, and gives due to gentleness that which He does not give to harshness (Ibn Majah (no. 3688) and Ibn Hibaan (no. 549)).
The meaning of good character is the inclination of the soul towards gentle and praiseworthy acts. This may take place in one’s personal actions for Allah Most High, or in actions which involve other people. In the former case, the slave of Allah has an open and welcoming heart for His commandments and prohibitions, and does what He has imposed on him happily and easily, and abstains from the things which He has forbidden him with full contentment, and without the least dissatisfaction. He follows and applies divine guidance in all his affairs. This world to him is merely a passage to the hereafter and he has no attachment to it except for that which is essential in order to meet his needs and preserve himself. He likes to perform optional good acts, and abstains from many permitted things for the sake of Allah Most High whenever he decides that to abstain in that way would be closer to perfect slavehood to Him. This he does with a contented heart, and without feeling any resentment or hardship. When he deals with other people, he is tolerant when claiming what is his right, and does not ask for anything which is not; but he discharges all the duties which he has towards others. When he falls ill or returns from a trip, and no-one visits him, or when he gives a greeting which is not returned, or when he is a guest but is not honoured, or intercedes but is not responded to, or does a good turn for which he is not thanked, or joins a group of people who do not make room for him to sit, or speaks and is not listened to, or asks permission of a friend to enter, and is not granted it, or proposes to a woman, and is not allowed to marry her, or ask for more time to repay a debt, but is not given more time, or asks for it to be reduced, but is not permitted this, and all similar cases, he does not grow angry, or seek to punish people, or feel within himself that he has been snubbed, or ignored; neither does he try to retaliate with the same treatment when able to do so, but instead tells himself that he does not mind any of these things, and responds to each one of them with something which is better, and closer to goodness and piety, and is more praiseworthy and pleasing. He is justly balanced in his loving and his hating. The Muslims, men and women are protectors one of another, they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil, they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey God and His Apostle. Holy Prophet (pbuh), said: Whoever does not safeguard his neighbour from his harms. He will not enter Paradise (Bukhaari and Muslim). He remembers to carry out his duties to others just as he remembers their duties towards himself, so that when one of his Muslim brethren falls ill he visits him, if he is asked to intercede, he does so, if he is asked for a respite in repaying a debt he agrees, and if someone needs assistance he gives it, and if someone asks for favourable terms in a sale, he consents, all without looking to see how the other person had dealt with him in the past, and to find out how other people behave. Instead, he makes ‘what is better’ the imam of his soul, and obeys it completely. Good and bad are not equal, states the Holy Quran (41:34). A true Muslim has a distinct personality with its own special nature and particular outlook and manner.
Allah Most High has said: Surely, you are of tremendous nature, [Quran, 68:4] and: Those who suppress their anger, and forgive other people – assuredly, Allah loves those who do good [Quran, 3:134].
Allah says in Holy Quran: Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. Islam in reality, has an international mission and it is neither regional nor ethnical call. The desires and lusts are great and numerous, but they remain trifling in the eyes of the believer, the one who is sincere to Allah and trusting in His assistance. If a man’s character, conduct and morals are not good and up to the mark and he gets up to work for reforming the society, his words of advice will have no weight and effect. On the other hand, if there is a man who has first improved and reformed his own private life, personal conduct and character and then launches his campaign to reform others, his words will penetrate through the ears into the depth of the hearts. Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, When you see four vices prevailing in the society; love of wealth being pursued, every man hankering after money, lusts and desires being followed, the world and its charms being preferred, the people neglecting their Hereafter, every man having some opinion, being proud of his opinion and every man thinking that he is all-wise and rejecting others advice then be careful. In such a situation take care to reform yourselves and do not follow the general public. A good Muslim tries his best not to hurt anyone and do full justice with everyone who comes into his contact. He is polite, courteous, kind, generous, forgiving and honest in his attitude towards the people he meets in his day-to-day life. Once he promises, he never breaks it or back out of it. He takes utmost care to fulfill all his commitments with people. A true Muslim is indeed a man of words. A heart of a good and true Muslim is free from hatred, bias, prejudice, rancor, grudge and ill-will. He loves all irrespective of his caste, colour, creed or religion. He is not narrow-minded. He wants love and peace to rule supreme in the entire world. He believes in equality, brotherhood, unity and love for all. A true Muslim is Loving for the sake of Allah, being pleased for His sake and being angry only for His sake. His provision is taqwaa (reverential fear of Allah). His worries are what will happen to him in the Afterlife. The worldly failures or success is immaterial for him. A true Muslim judge himself/herself daily. He/she is aware of his/her behaviour, speech, intelligence, education, responsibilities as father/mother, brother/sister, husband/wife and power. He/she sacrifices individual freedom for the social good. His/her beloved is His/her Protector and Master. His/her struggle is for the Afterlife. Good character may be something which a man is born with, or it may be acquired. However, it may only be acquired from someone who has it more firmly rooted in his nature than his own. It is well known that a man of sensible opinion can become even more sensible by keeping the company of intelligent and sensible people, and that a learned or a righteous man can learn even more by sitting with other people of learning or righteousness; therefore it cannot be denied that a man of beautiful character may acquire an even more beautiful character by being with people whose characters are superior to his own. In conclusion, cleanliness of mind and body, a good intention, charitable acts and total submission to his maker are the characteristics of a true Muslim character.
(The author a teacher at S K University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology (SKUAST) Srinagar writes on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”)