Ethics
Ethics represent a deeply ingrained quality within an individual’s will that influences their actions toward good or evil. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of virtuous ethics due to the rewards and benefits they offer. The following are some Hadiths related to this topic:
Hadiths Mentioning the Term “Ethics” or “Moral Character”
Ethics play a significant role in shaping a Muslim’s character. Consequently, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) highlighted this aspect in several Hadiths, including:
- Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was neither obscene nor one who used obscene language. He said: ‘Indeed, the most beloved of you to me are those with the best character.’ He also stated: ‘Recite the Quran from four persons: Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, Salim, Mawla Abu Hudhaifah, Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and Mu’adh ibn Jabal.’
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Nothing weighs heavier in the believer’s scales on the Day of Judgment than good character, and indeed, Allah detests the obscene and foul-mouthed.”
- He also said: “The most complete believers in faith are those with the best character.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) continued: “Shall I inform you who are the most beloved to me and closest to me on the Day of Judgment?” He repeated it two or three times, and they responded: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “Those with the best character.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “The best among the believers in faith are those with the best character.”
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “He was asked about the greatest reasons people enter Paradise. He replied: ‘Fear of Allah and good character.’ He was also asked about the greatest reasons people enter Hellfire. He responded: ‘The mouth and the private parts.’”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I have only been sent to perfect good character.”
- He advised: “Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow an evil deed with a good one to erase it, and treat people with good character.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) noted: “A man may attain the rank of one who stands in prayer at night and one who fasts in the midday heat due to his good character.”
Hadiths Advocating for Good Character
Good character holds a significant position in Islam, and from the concept of ethics stem various attributes that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addressed in numerous Hadiths. Some notable examples include:
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Facilitate matters and do not make them difficult; give others tranquillity and do not push them away.”
- He stated: “No one will enter Paradise who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to speak the truth until he is recorded as truthful, and falsehood leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to the Fire. A man continues to lie until he is recorded as a liar.”
- He likened the believers in their mutual love, compassion, and sympathy to a single body; when one limb suffers, the entire body responds with sleeplessness and fever.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “A believer is neither one who abuses others nor one who curses.”