Helping others gives us a sense of purpose and satisfaction

The Concept of Good Behaviour in Islam

Good Behaviour provides us with a stable and flawless set of values that remain unaltered. Moreover, by making the “pleasure of God” the object of man’s life, the highest and noblest objective is set before humanity. Islam’s fundamental attitude toward life, the universe and of man’s place therein determines the real and ultimate goal which should be the object of all the endeavours of mankind and which may be termed briefly as “seeking the pleasure of God”. Allah says:

كَدَأْبِ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا فَأَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ وَاللَّهُ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“Like behaviour (of the) people (of) Firaun and those from before them. They denied Our signs, so they were seized by Allah for their sins. And Allah (is) severe (in) [the] punishment.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:11)

Good Behaviour is a collective name for voluntary actions. A voluntary action is an action that a man could have done differently if he had so chosen. Allah has created us and given us countless gifts so that we may live a happy and peaceful life. Good Behaviour stipulates for man a system of life that is based on all good and is free from all evil. It is, therefore, our duty to thank Him and worship Him.  Allah says:

ثم كان من الذين آمنوا و تواصوا بالصبر وتواصوا بالمرحمة

“…And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.…” (Surah Al-Balad 90:17)

Life is full of trials that an individual must face with patience. Patience is basically when a person restrains himself from being fearful during hard times. Patience is to keep ourselves on the right track, and constantly remind ourselves of what others have been through. Patience is of best from deeds and has a great reward with no limit.

How should a true Muslim behave with anyone:

  1. Behave for the fear of Allah and always speak the truth
  2. Behave left an enduring impression on history 
  3. Behave for forgiving others for their mistakes
  4. Behave for a walk on the earth with humility
  5. Behave for respecting other people’s rights
  6. Behave to be dutiful towards your parents
  7. Behave love, and respect for all mankind
  8. Behave responsibility for fellow beings
  9. Behave for causing no harm to others
  10. Behave to possess a noble character
  11. Behave to restrain anger
  12. Behave to protect orphans
  13. Behave for good to others
  14. Behave to honour the guests
  15. Behave for production relations
  16. Behave for have love and fear of Allah 
  17. Behave for ways to help needy people
  18. Behave for lawful and righteous deeds
  19. Behave for having a purified heart and soul
  20. Behave for good morals and perfect character
  21. Behave for a judge with justice between people
  22. Behave to avoid Jealousy, backbiting, and falsehood
  23. Behave for fear of Allah, continue seeking what pleases Him 
  24. Behave should be responsible towards God and fellow beings

Good Behaviour stipulates for man a system of life that is based on all good and is free from all evil. Dignity, restraint, politeness, and amiability have throughout the ages been counted among virtues, whereas snobbery, misbehaviour, and rudeness have never found recognition as good moral qualities. Allah says:

إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا

“Only we feed you for (the) Countenance (of) Allah. Not we desire from you any reward and no thanks.” (Surah Al-Insan 76:9)

God gave man life and with that also gave man the freedom and the authority to do good or to indulge in evil. This authority and this freedom were given to man to test him, as to how he uses his authority and freedom. As a part of this test, God also gave man the basic knowledge of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ at the time of his inception.

Here are some qualities of true believers in Islam: 

  • Believer of Allah Almighty: A true believer or Mumin is a person who believes in Allah Almighty and declares no assistance with Him on everything.
  • Remembrance of Allah (SWT): Muslims always remember Allah Almighty in all his matters and most of the time.
  • Saying Salam: Salam not only represents saying Salaam to each other in normal life routine.
  • Avoid Shirk: True believers of Allah Almighty abstain from Shirk. It is the subject matter of Islam and if one can’t follow that he or she shall not be called a Muslim.
  • Avoid lying and Fraud: True believers of Allah Almighty avoid lying and fraud and don’t go near evil or places where evil exists.
  • Ask Allah for Help: Last but not least, the most important and significant practice a Muslim can do is to ask Allah for His Guidance and Help to let you achieve what you have set out for.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلاَتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُّعْرِضُونَ

“The believers must (eventually) win through, Those who humble themselves in their prayers, Who avoid vain talk.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1-3)

Below are the words of the Holy Quran these are  the chief qualities a Muslim should display:

  • Truthfulness: “O you who believe! keep your duty to Allah and speak straight true words.” (33:70)
  • Sincerity: “Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (39:2)
  • Unselfishness:  “Do not favour seeking gain.” (74:6)
  • Humility: “The servants of the Beneficent (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility.” (25:63)
  • Patience: “Allah loves those who are patient.” (3:145)
  • Forgiveness: “Whenever they (true believers) are angry they forgive.” (42:37)
  • Consideration and respect for others: “When you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it (in the same terms at least).” (4:86)
  • Poor and needy: ” (The true believers are those) in whose wealth there is a known right for the beggar and the destitute.” (70:24-25)
  • Those who abuse Muslims: “Bear patiently what they (abusers); say.” (20:130)
  • Mankind generally: “Mankind is a single nation.” (2:213)

Good Behaviour in Islam covers the smallest details of domestic life as well as the broad aspects of national and international behaviour. It guides us in every stage of life. Good Behaviour will be a day of mourning for the community and a bad day for the entire world if the efforts of this very community were at any time directed towards establishing evil and suppressing good. Allah says:

وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَالصَّابِرِينَ وَنَبْلُوَ أَخْبَارَكُمْ

“And surely We will test you until We make evident those who strive among you and the patient ones, and We will test your affairs.” (Surah Muhammad 47:31)

Good Behaviour provides us with a stable and flawless set of values that remain unaltered. Dignity, restraint, politeness, and amiability have throughout the ages been counted among virtues, whereas snobbery, misbehaviour, and rudeness have never found recognition as good moral qualities.

Here is what the Quranic verses teach us about behaving, Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:

  • “Do no favour seeking gain.” (Quran, 74:6)
  • “Do no favour seeking gain.” (Quran 74:6)
  • “Say, my Lord has enjoined justice.” (Quran 7:29)
  • “O you who believe! Stand firmly with justice.” (Quran 4:135)
  • “Serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience.” (Quran 39:2)
  • “Measure with justice and do not shorten the balance.” (Quran 55:9)
  • “O you, who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.” (Quran, 9: 119)
  • “Do not ascribe purity to yourselves. Allah knows best who is righteous.” (Quran 53:32)

خَاشِعَةً أَبْصَارُهُمْ تَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي كَانُوا يُوعَدُونَ

“Humbled their eyesights, will cover them humiliation. That (is) the Day which they were promised.” (Surah Al-Ma`arij 70:44 )

Haqooq Al-Ibaad primarily deals with how we behave in our daily routines. Controlling our anger, helping others, talking to family and friends nicely and other aspects are what build our nature and reflect on how we behave. The moral sense is inborn in man and through the ages it has served as the common man’s standard of moral behaviour, approving certain qualities and disapproving others. Allah says:

عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يَرْحَمَكُمْ وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا وَجَعَلْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ حَصِيرًا

“(It) may be that your Lord (may) have mercy upon you. But if you return, We will return. And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:8)

A believer deserves Allah’s pleasure and for him, there will be a good life and happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Islam sheds great importance on behaving during our lifetime. It invokes the people, not only to practice virtue but also to establish virtue and eradicate vice, to bid good and to forbid wrong. Allah says:

وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ

“And be moderate in your pace and lower [of] your voice. Indeed, (the) harshest (of all) sounds (is) surely (the) voice (of) the donkeys.” (Surah Luqman 31:19)

Muslims understand that Islam and the Holy Book, the Quran are a complete package that tells us how to spend our lives in the best manner. The life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reflects the teachings of the Quran and Allah. Muslims always remember Allah in all his matters and most of the time.