Human nature desires a society based on morals and manners which provides a stable and secure life leading to liberty and happiness for all people. Allah will help a person so long as he is helping his brother. Muslims should have great moral values and also possess a noble character that attracts people towards them. That is why we can see that the goal of Islam – of the concepts, worships, and teachings relating to values, attitudes, morals, and behaviour is to create an Islamic personality. Morality or the propagation of moral values is a major aspect of Islam. Allah says:

مَّن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً حَسَنَةً يَكُن لَّهُ نَصِيبٌ مِّنْهَا ۖ وَمَن يَشْفَعْ شَفَاعَةً سَيِّئَةً يَكُن لَّهُ كِفْلٌ مِّنْهَا ۗ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقِيتًا

“Whoever intercedes for a good cause will have a reward therefrom, and whoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a burden therefrom. And ever is Allah, over all things, a Keeper.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:85)

People of today think of Quran as only a Book that contains guidelines that are pertinent to performing religious rituals only and there is nothing else in it. The fact of the matter is that in Quran Allah Almighty has given the complete guidelines and told humanity about whatever they want to know about this universe in general and the way of living life in particular. Character formation is the most important aspect of Islamic personality.

The personality of every Muslim must possess the following noble characteristics:

1. Good manners surely indicate the goodness
2. A Muslim should develop in his character
3. The strength of will, dignity, and bravery
4. A Muslim must try to control his temper
5. A Muslim should breed in his character
6. Avoid Jealousy, backbiting, falsehood
7. Islam treat others with generosity
8. Islam stand out firmly for justice
9. Good manners lead man to Paradise
10. Good manners follow Islamic teaching
11. Islam forgive others for their mistakes
12. Good morals cause strength to Muslims
13. Islam taking care of orphans and the poor
14. Good morals are considered the foundation

Islam puts great emphasis on the height of characters and for this purpose, it encourages the followers to adopt good moral qualities in their lives. In this regard, the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stands as an evident and clear example for Muslims and from him, they can learn what the height of morals is like. In the Quran, there are mentions of numerous moral values that a Muslim should incorporate in his or her character. The lines below discuss a few such major moral values.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “And verily, you O Mohammad are on an exalted character.” (Quran, 68:4)
• “Those who can continue to spend on those less fortunate.” (Quran, 24:22)
• “Don’t enter homes without permission & return if refused entry.” (Quran, 24:27-28)
• “Don’t sit with those who mock religion until they change the subject.” (Quran, 4:140)
• “Say it’s not appropriate to talk of slander when it’s mentioned to you.” (Quran, 24:16)
• “If required to ask the Prophet’s wives, then do so from behind a screen.” (Quran, 33:53)
• “Divorce in an amicable manner instead of keeping & harming your wife.” (Quran, 2:231)
• “Punish in an equivalent manner to how you were harmed or be patient.” (Quran, 16:126)
• “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth in modesty, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.” (Quran, 25:63)
• “And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous.” (Quran, 3:133)
• “Don’t take women by force, nor take back bridal gift without a valid reason & live with them in kindness” (Quran, 4:19)
• “O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is strong and trustworthy.” (Quran, 28:26)
• “Differences in colour & language are signs of Allah, not means of superiority.” (Quran, 49:13)
• “And verily, you (O Muhammad PBUH) are on an exalted standard of character.” (Al-Qalam 68:4)

If a person, who is calling others to the way of Allah, is not well-mannered, he cannot be successful in his mission. Every person can achieve great success in his/her life by having and dealing with people with noble and praised manners. Dealing with others with good manners means putting them at ease by the way that Islam urged us to deal with. It is not only an essential part of our religion but also makes our social life more pleasant. Allah says:

قَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُنكِحَكَ إِحْدَى ابْنَتَيَّ هَاتَيْنِ عَلَىٰ أَن تَأْجُرَنِي ثَمَانِيَ حِجَجٍ فَإِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ عَشْرًا فَمِنْ عِندِكَ وَمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَيْكَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

He said, “Indeed, I [I] wish to marry you to one (of) my daughters (of) these two on that you serve me, (for) eight years; but if you complete ten, then from you. And not I wish to make it difficult for you. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the righteous.” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:27)

We ask Almighty Allah to make us follow the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH) and deal with the people in a way that he dealt with because Allah made it the essential part of the Faith without which our Faiths cannot be completed. “Manners in Islam” is one such content available in the form of an e-book. The Holy book covers an all range of areas including importance, and characteristics of different manners, with particular reference to our daily life. Allah says:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad PUBH) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)

A Muslim has to work upon his moral character. The better values a Muslim incorporates in his character, a better and practising Muslim he becomes and it is on the basis of this moralist practice of Islam that he will be among the blessed ones, both in this world and in the world Hereafter. Manners are important to fulfil our faith and also in our social life. May Allah Almighty give us the strength to improve our manners and try to imitate them! Ameen

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