Islam gives great stress on having good character. An individual’s character is one of the most important aspects of Islam. Perfecting one’s character is something every Muslim must strive for. In doing so, one must be conscious of internalizing values such as integrity, honesty, compassion, justice, and tolerance. However, it must all begin with faith: the essential character of a Muslim. Allah says:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكَاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعَافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ 

“Those who spend in [the] ease and (in) the hardship and those who restrain the anger and those who pardon [from] the people – and Allah loves the good-doers.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:134)

Character is deeply rooted in the heart, where the decision is made for every deed. Behaviours that spring from the habitual desire to do good are referred to by the phrase “good character”. Allah praised the Prophet’s character and set him as an example for all believers to follow. Allah made the character a cause for admission to Paradise. The proper Islamic manners and etiquettes are highly important and they include many things. Allah says:

وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“And let there be among you [a] people inviting to the good [and] enjoining the right and forbidding from the wrong, and those – they (are) the successful ones.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:104)

Islam orders good character and encourages Muslims to be trained in that, developing it in their hearts, nurturing faith in the worshiper through the virtues of the soul, and Islam through good character. It is one of the main elements which can not be ignored along with other acts of worship. Some basics are greeting others with respect, truthfulness, justice, gentleness, gratefulness towards Allah and people, sincerity, forgiving others, patience, etc.

Here are some ways, to implement good character in our lives:

1. 1. Islam commands the believers to perform a good character
   2. Islam commands us to kindness and courtesy to everyone
   3. Islam urges traders to show kindness and leniency
   4. Islam gives great stress on having good character
   5. Islam elevate and perfect the moral character 
   6. Islam stresses the importance of the family
   7. Islam provoke about good moral character
   8. Islam warns traders who deal with fraud
   9. Islam urges to honour their obligations
   10. Islam observe the noble character 
   11. Islam is the end justifies the means
   12. Islam associating with Allah in worship
   13. Islam is required to follow the Islamic law
   14. Islam advises workers of ethical principles
   15. Islam permeates all acts of good character
   16. Islam does not forbid you from being good 
   17. Islam ought to embody good character traits
   18. Islam the scale of deeds on the Day of Judgement
   19. Islam instructs us to make the world a better place
   20. Islam instructs us on the general welfare of mankind

Allah and His Messenger love those with good character. Those who cultivated good character and manners will be the closest to the Prophet and the righteous on the Day of Judgment, whereas those who indulged in bad manners will be the furthest from them. Establish a naming system for your fictional world, or otherwise lend additional depth to your story. Allah says:

وَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُوَفِّيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ

“And as for those who believe[d] and did [the] righteous deeds then He will grant them in full their reward. And Allah (does) not love the wrongdoers.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:57)

Good character is a very important part of being a Muslim. We should always try to be the best we can be. It is for this reason that Islam has laid down rules and criteria which govern Muslims’ behaviour even in times of war so that they would not succumb to fits of rage, driven by intolerance which feeds their anger and satisfies hatred and malicious and selfish tendencies. Allah says:

إِنَّ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنَ يَهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا

“Indeed, this, the Quran, guides to that which (is) most straight and gives glad tidings to the believers – those who do the righteous deeds, that for them (is) a reward great,” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:9)

The believers encourage people to reconcile relations with those who have cut them off. The virtues of good character and their practical manifestations: acts of mercy, justice, fairness, patience, forbearance, modesty, humility, piety, kindness, compassion, and so forth. In each case, good character involves respect due to Allah, as well as the respect due to human beings and animals as the creations of Allah.

Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

• “Be Kind, as Allah has been kind to you.” (Al-Qasas 28:77)
• “Verily, you are upon great moral character.” (Al-Qalam 68:4)
• “Don’t accuse others of immorality without proof.” (Quran 24:4)
• “Don’t raise your voice above that of the Prophet’s.” (Quran 49:2)
• “Don’t call someone a disbeliever without knowing.” (Quran 4:94)
• “Seek permission before entering someone’s room.” (Quran 24:59)
• “Know your enemies can become your close friends.” (Quran 41:34)
• “Consider the wives of the Prophet like your mothers.” (Quran 33:6)
• “And We have revealed the Book to you explaining everything.” (Quran 16:89)
• “… be good to your parents, relatives, orphans, and the very poor. Speak good words to people…” (Surat al-Baqara: 83)
• “Establish the prayer, for the prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds.” (Soorat Al-‛Ankaboot, 29:45)
• “ guidance for mankind and clear evidence and discrimination (between wrong).” (Surah 2 verse 185)

Quran Coaching also offers a course on Islamic Supplications with which you can learn how to lead a life with good character. A person cannot survive without having these positive traits in his/her life. Good character is a key to pleasing Allah and his beloved prophet. By maintaining a good character, one can be a beloved servant of Allah.

الْبِرُّ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَالإِثْمُ مَا حَاكَ فِي صَدْرِكَ وَكَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَطَّلِعَ عَلَيْهِ النَّاسُ

“Righteousness is a good character and sin is what wavers in your heart and you hate for people to find out about it.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2553)

A Muslim is to turn towards the personality of Muhammad (PBUH) and find that particular piece of guidance from it. Muslims must spread the life of the Prophet (PBUH) because it is not only good for Muslims, rather the goodwill that comes from it has a universal appeal and will help make the world a better place. Allah says:

لَّا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“(There is) no good in much of their secret talk except (he) who orders charity or kindness or conciliation between the people. And who does that seeking pleasure (of) Allah then soon We a reward great.” (Surah an-Nisa 4:114)

So we must study good character and conduct. By adopting good character we can make our life beautiful in both worlds (this life and life after death). As Muslims and as humans, we should always follow Prophet Muhammad to become amongst the most effective of Muslims with the most effective potential manners as a stepping nearer to ALLAH and a permanent resting abode in Paradise. Allah says:

وَلَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ آتَيْنَاهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And when he reached his maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. And thus We reward the good-doers.” (Surah Yusuf 12:22)

There are no exceptions whatsoever when it comes to talking about a good moral character in Islam. A Muslim is required to follow the dictates of Islamic law and observe noble character even in times of war and in difficult times, for there is no such thing in Islam as the end justifies the means. In other words, bad or unfair methods of doing something are by no means acceptable even if the result of that action is good or positive. Allah says:

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ 

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden – its width (is like that of) the heavens and the earth prepared for the pious.” (Surah l-Imran 3:133)

One’s good character and good Akhlaq are the reasons that take him closer to Allah Almighty which ultimately takes him closer to Jannah. May God help us be of the best character and manners for our families, friends and all the people around us. As Muslims, we must behave well towards Allah by continuously seeking knowledge of the religion and performing acts of worship, while at the same time behaving well towards all people, upholding divine values of justice and mercy, and responding to evil with good.