The Prophet as Our Example in Ethics
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of good morals, serving as a role model for all. He epitomized the highest standards of character, as highlighted in the Quran: “And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” Moreover, the Prophet frequently prayed, saying: “O Allah, guide me to the best of morals, for none can guide to the best but You. Turn away from me the bad morals, as none can turn them away but You.”
Hadiths on Good Morals
Hadiths About Truthfulness
Numerous hadiths underscore the significance of truthfulness, its virtues, and the warnings against dishonesty. Some of these hadiths include:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Adhere to truth, for truth leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A person continues to be truthful and seeks truth until he is recorded with Allah as truthful. Beware of lying, for lying leads to wickedness, and wickedness leads to Hellfire. A person continues to lie and seeks lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.”
- He also mentioned: “No character trait was more detested by the companions of the Prophet than lying. A man would lie before the Prophet, and that lie would remain in his mind until he acknowledged that he had committed an offense.”
- Furthermore, the Prophet said: “Indeed, truthfulness is righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. A servant persistently seeks to be truthful until he is recorded with Allah as truthful.”
Hadiths About Trustworthiness
The Sunnah is rich with hadiths that highlight the importance of trustworthiness and its profound implications. Here are a few:
- It was narrated by Abdullah ibn Masoud (may Allah be pleased with him): “Killing in the cause of Allah expiates all sins except for trustworthiness. A servant will be brought forth on the Day of Judgment, even if slain in Allah’s way, and it will be said to him: ‘Return your trust.’ He will respond: ‘My Lord! How can I, with the world gone?’ They will say: ‘Take him to the abyss.’ The trust will appear to him as it was when given to him, and he will recognize it; he will pursue it until he reaches it, carrying it on his shoulder, until he thinks he is escaping, yet it will fall from his shoulder, and he will continue to pursue it for eternity. In this regard, he mentioned: ‘Prayer is a trust, ablution is a trust, weighing is a trust, measuring is a trust, and many other things, with the most significant being deposits.’
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “When trust is compromised, await the Hour.” They asked: “What is the compromise of trust, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “When authority is entrusted to those who are not qualified, await the Hour.”
- He further said: “There are four characteristics; if they are found in you, you have no reason to worry about what you may miss in this world: truthfulness in speech, preserving trust, good character, and moderation in providing food.”
- Additionally, the Prophet said: “Guarantee me six things from yourselves, and I will guarantee you Paradise: be truthful when you speak, fulfill promises when you make them, return trusts when they are entrusted to you, safeguard your chastity, lower your gazes, and restrain your hands.”
Hadiths About Mercy
Numerous hadiths in the noble Sunnah convey the vital importance of mercy. Some of these include:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Those who are merciful will receive mercy from the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and you will be shown mercy by those in the heavens. Mercy is a branch of the Most Merciful, and whoever maintains it will be connected by Allah, and whoever cuts it off will be cut off by Allah.”
- He also stated: “Be merciful, and you will receive mercy. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Woe to those who are harsh in speech, and woe to those who insist on what they have done while knowing.”
- The Prophet advised: “Have mercy on the orphan, pat his head, and feed him from your food; your heart will soften, and you will attain your needs.”
- He remarked: “A servant is indeed a failure if Allah does not place mercy for humanity in his heart.”
- When some Bedouins came to the Prophet and asked if he kissed his children, and upon hearing that he did, they said: “But we swear, we do not kiss our children.” The Prophet replied: “What can I do if Allah has removed mercy from your hearts?”