Islamic Manners has been practically demonstrated to us by Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and have been recorded through numerous hadeeth on the subject. It is sad though that many Muslims do not pay attention to the Islamic Manners they should be adopting and instead restrict their view of religion merely to Ibadat (external acts of worship). Human is social creature, they need others to support their life and they cannot live alone. Allah says:
الْمُلْكُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَكَانَ يَوْمًا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ عَسِيرًا
“The Sovereignty, that Day (will be) truly, for the Most Gracious. And (it will) be a Day for the disbelievers difficult.” (Surah Al-Furqan 25:26)
It is clear that Islam loves peace. Therefore, Muslims should talk to other people both to fellow Muslims and non-muslim in a gentle, clear, low voice, moderate in the pace of talking and avoid vain conversation. Therefore, as good Muslims, another basic manner we must understand is how to talk or have a conversation with others. Indeed it is better for Muslims to speak in a low and moderate voice. This will prevent Muslims to annoy/offending other people. Allah says:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ خُذُوا زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَكُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
O Children (of) Adam! Take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink but (do) not be extravagant. Indeed, He (does) not love the extravagant ones.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:31)
Manners or Adab is a way of doing something, how we behave, and the way we treat others. It is also called etiquette. Islam sees manners as an important thing, which means that all Muslims should have good manners. True Muslims are not only defined by their worship, prayer or performing sunnah, but also by how they perform good manners or Adab. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا بِاللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا كِرَامًا
“And those who (do) not bear witness (to) the falsehood, and when they pass by futility, they pass (as) dignified ones.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:72)
We raise our voices most of the time only to regret the decision we have made. Backbiting brings damage to ourselves and also hurt other people. Not being able to speak nicely also hurts loved ones and results in a jeopardized relationship.
Basic Manners in Islam
There are several things basic manners in Islam that Muslims should understand and must be applied in daily life:
- Always avoid Lies, Back Biting and Tale Bearing
- Always keep your body, clothes and home clean
- Respect and Kindness between Husband & Wife
- Basic manners in eating or drinking
- Must pray five times a day, on time
- Should greatly respect Quran
- Respecting parents
- Never lying and cheating
- Should eat only halal and clean food
- Keeping appearance and personal hygiene
- Basic manners of treating others (Conversation)
- Should always treat everyone with great respect
- It is a bad manner to extend your feet towards elders
- Should greatly respect Islamic teachers and scholars
Cursing and ridiculing others are also forbidden in Islam. When we curse or ridicule someone, he/she might be better than us in many ways. Engaging in these types of actions cause doubt on your level of faith and Allah hates people with foul language and always ridicule and curse others.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “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)
- “Differences in colour & language are signs of Allah, not means of superiority.” (Quran, 49:13)
- “Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant.” (Quran, 7:199)
- “Don’t take women by force, nor take back bridal gift without a valid reason & live with them in kindness.” (Quran 4:19)
Manners are the basis of one’s success in daily life through which someone could make a distinctive place in the Islamic community. Dealing with others with good manners means putting them at ease the way that Islam recommended us to deal with. Dealing with others with good manners means putting them at ease the way that Islam recommended us to deal with. It is not just an important part of our religion Islam but also makes our social life more pleasant. Allah says:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
“O Children (of) Adam! Verily We have sent down to you clothing, it covers your shame and (as) an adornment. But the clothing (of) [the] righteousness – that (is) best. That (is) from (the) Signs of Allah so that they may remember.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:26)
As Muslims, it is our obligation to keep our appearance, especially in public areas. Islam sets rules on how people should dress both for men and women. We should maintain our cleanliness, dress nicely in modesty, not to luxury, covering our aura (private parts) as mentioned in the following verse: Allah says:
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
“Say to the believing men they should lower their gaze and they should guard their chastity. That (is) purer for them. Indeed, Allah (is) All-Aware of what they do.” (Surat An-Nur 24:30)
Good manners and a sense of morality can prevent us from falling into sins. Everything in this creation that has been put at the disposal of humankind is nothing more than trust from God. A great Muslim is also seen by their basic manners to the elderly or noble person. They are the ones that we have to respect, especially parents. Parents and elderly people have a special status in Islam.
