Hadiths on Good Character
The Islamic Sharia emphasizes the importance of good character and the cultivation of virtuous morals. The noble Hadiths encompass numerous sayings that advocate for embodying the best and most admirable traits. Below are several notable Hadiths related to this topic:
- It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man continues to speak the truth until he is recorded as a truthful person. And falsehood leads to immorality, and immorality leads to Hell, and a man continues to lie until he is recorded as a liar.”
- It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The most complete believers in faith are those who are best in character.”
- It has been documented that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The most complete believers in faith are those who are best in character, and the most excellent among you are those who are best to their families.”
- According to the companion Usama Bin Shu’aib (may Allah be pleased with him), he related: “We were sitting with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as if birds were perched on our heads, we were so silent, when some people came and asked: ‘Who is the most beloved servant of Allah?’ He replied: ‘The one with the best character.’
- It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Fear Allah wherever you may be, follow up an evil deed with a good deed, and it will erase it, and treat people with good character.”
- It has been reported that the companion Al-Nawwas Bin Sam’an Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about righteousness and sin. He said: “Righteousness is good character, and sin is that which wavers in your chest and you dislike people to know about it.”
- According to Usama Bin Shu’aib (may Allah be pleased with him), he narrated: “We were sitting with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as if birds were perched on our heads, we were so silent, when some people came and asked: ‘Who is the most beloved servant of Allah?’ He replied: ‘The one with the best character.’
Hadiths on the Reward for Good Character
The noble Sunnah contains numerous Hadiths that highlight the rewards for those who cultivate good character. Here are some examples:
- It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Nothing weighs heavier on the believer’s scale on the Day of Judgment than good character, and Allah disapproves of the foul and obscene.”
- It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Do you know what most frequently leads to Hell? They replied: ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said: ‘The two hollow things: the mouth and the private parts. And what most frequently leads to Paradise? It is piety and good character.’
- It has been documented that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “I guarantee a house in the outskirts of Paradise for the one who abandons arguing, even if he is right, a house in the middle of Paradise for the one who abandons lying, even if joking, and a house at the highest level of Paradise for the one who improves his character.”
- It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The one who is dearest to me and closest to me on the Day of Judgment will be the one with the best conduct. And the ones I dislike and who are farthest from me on that Day are the loquacious, the arrogant, and the boastful.” They asked: “O Messenger of Allah, we understand the loquacious and the boastful, but who are the arrogant?” He said: “The proud.”
- It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A man can attain the rank of one who prays at night and fasts during the day through good character.”
- It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is granted a portion of gentleness has been granted a share of the goodness in this world and the Hereafter. Maintaining family ties, being of good character, and treating neighbors well, all enhance one’s life and extend one’s years.”
Hadiths on the Good Character of the Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is renowned for embodying the finest morals and ethics. He exemplified the teachings of the Holy Quran in his demeanor. Below are some accounts reflecting his remarkable character as reported in the noble Sunnah:
- It has been narrated by the companion Abdullah Bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was neither vulgar nor one to indulge in vulgarity. He used to say: ‘Of the best among you are those with the best character.’
- It has been reported from Lady Aisha, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), that when asked about the character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), she said: “His character was the Quran.”
- It has been documented that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The best among you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best to my family.”
- As narrated by the esteemed companion Anas Bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: “I served the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for ten years, and he never said to me, ‘Uff,’ nor asked me, ‘Why did you do this?’ or ‘Why didn’t you do that?’
Hadiths Warning Against Bad Character
The Islamic Sharia has warned against adopting immoral traits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cautioned regarding the negative consequences of ill character in numerous Hadiths. Here are several reports highlighting this warning:
- It has been recorded that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A believer is not one who insults, curses, or is vulgar and obscene.”
- It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prohibited Muslims from bad character and warned them, saying: “Do not envy one another, do not deceive one another, do not harbor hatred towards one another, do not turn your backs on one another. Be brothers, O servants of Allah! The Muslim is a brother to the Muslim; he does not wrong him, nor forsake him, nor belittle him. Piety is right here,” indicating towards his chest.
- It has been reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever is granted a portion of gentleness has been granted a share of goodness, while whoever is denied it has been denied goodness. The heaviest thing on the believer’s scale on the Day of Judgment is good character, and indeed, Allah disapproves of the vulgar and obscene.”
Summary of the Article: The Islamic Sharia urges Muslims to embody good morals and abandon bad character traits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) serves as a prime example with his virtuous words, actions, and interactions. It is incumbent upon Muslims to follow the traces of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in both words and deeds.