Humane Character-Building Lesson In Islam

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 18 March 2024 A Hadith Reads, “The Most Perfect Faith Among Muslims Is That Of The Person Who Has The Best Morals." Main Points: 1. The current Muslim culture is experiencing moral decline, uncertainty, fear, and anxiousness due to the potential for corrupt and vile Muslim characters to commit sins. 2. The Prophet's (PBUH) principles should guide us, but our values have deteriorated, leading to moral annihilation. 3. Practical guidelines for human behaviour and life are divided into sub-divisions such as worship, morality, social conduct, rights, obligations, culture, religion, and character building. 4. The Objective of Islamic Teachings is to create a society free from corruption and characterized by kindness, honesty, dependability, and respect. ------ Islam is an all-encompassing code of conduct that takes into account every facet of life. Belief and Practice are the two main tenets of Islam. Belief requires the acceptance of fundamental truths. The fundamental truths of faith include believing in Allah, believing in His messengers, believing in His holy books, believing in the Last Day, believing in life after death, believing in Tawhid (the oneness of God), believing in the messengers of Allah, etc. Practical guidelines for human behaviour and life, as well as the dos and don'ts of societal and individual existence, are included in the second section. This is further split up into sub-divisions such as worship, morality, social conduct, rights, obligations, culture, religion, and character building. Character building is the subject of this write-up. Islam lays a great emphasis on character building, with particular attention paid to the cultivation of traits like generosity, kindness, compassion, honesty, and humility. Character building is emphasised throughout the Quran and Sunnah, and is a fundamental aspect of day-to-day living. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "I was sent to perfect the noble traits of character." (Al-Tabarani). In the teachings of the Prophet, it is recommended to elevate moral standards. But judging by the current state of affairs, it is clear that the main cause of man's problems in the world is his moral decline and character flaws. If a person's principles and character align with the teachings of Islam, they will be honoured in this life as well as the next. But our values have gotten so bad that we now live in a society where bad things like lying, cheating, and sly behaviour are commonplace. Our actions should inspire others. The moral breakdown, however, is that we feel humiliated since we currently find ourselves in the worst situation imaginable. The current culture is experiencing moral decline, uncertainty, fear, and anxiousness due to the potential for corrupt and vile Muslim characters to commit sins. The Prophet (pbuh) embodied the highest moral standard, and his principles should guide us. The moral code of Allah's prophet, the Qur'an, has influenced every person on the planet. However, we Muslims—the followers of the Prophet (peace be upon him)—are to blame for the moral decline in our society. The Quranic verses and hadiths stress the importance of acting with sincerity and abstaining from wickedness, backbiting and hypocrisy. The companions of the Prophet and infidels both used to praise the Prophet's morals before joining Islam. But since our values have deteriorated, we are now condemned on many fronts. Using the power that Allah has bestowed upon us, we ought to behave morally and virtuously, abstaining from immorality and misdirection. However, we are moving away from Allah due to our worldly and selfish ambitions, and we are on the path to moral annihilation. We can observe our attitude because we remember Allah when we are ill, lost, or facing difficulties, but we forget Him and disregard His instructions when our Almighty God makes things better. We are indeed so irresponsible that we are unable to develop ethically and prove that we are moral Muslims. The objective of Islamic teachings on morals and character building is to create a society free from corruption and characterized by kindness, honesty, dependability, and respect. It emphasizes personal growth and positive social impact, with individuals with good character serving as an example for others and the community benefiting from their positive influence. This approach promotes a fulfilling and meaningful life. Sincerity serves as the foundation for all good works and deepens one's relationship with Allah, making it an essential component of Islamic character development. Muslims are instructed to perform only for the pleasure of Allah, without thinking about gain or honour. Having a sound intellect is another key quality of a good Muslim. Islam views acquiring knowledge as a form of worship, and Muslims are urged to learn throughout their lives. People who possess wisdom, which stems from knowledge, can make informed decisions and lead fulfilling lives. Islam places great importance on virtues like gratitude, forgiveness, and patience. Sustaining perseverance in faith and weathering adversity both require patience. Remaining in good relationships requires forgiveness. To recognise life's blessings and acknowledge Allah as the source of them, one must be grateful. Islam emphasizes character building as a key to personal growth and a fulfilling life. It is not enough to merely assert faith in Islam. Besides the expression of certainty of faith in Allah and his prophet, every Muslim and every citizen are required to build high character. Islam encourages excellence in all aspects of life, including character, and sincere efforts to become the best version of oneself, setting an example for others and contributing to a healthy community. Morality is the key to identifying a Muslim. He is unfit to be referred to as a Muslim if he lacks morality. It is not feasible for a Muslim to profess faith and lack morals at the same time. The holy Quran attests to the fact that our beloved Prophet is the greatest example of the best morality, as follows: Allah says to his Prophet, “You are certainly on the most exalted standard of moral excellence.” (68:4) And why shouldn't this be the case, given that his mission was to correct individuals and instil good morals through education and training? The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, "I was sent to perfect the noble traits of character." (Al-Tabarani). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, "The most perfect faith among Muslims is that of the person who has the best morals." Another hadith reads: "The best among you is that which is best among you in terms of morals." ----- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/humane-character-building-lesson/d/131942 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism