The word Akhlaq is the plural for the word Khulq which means
Note: The dictionary meaning of disposition is one's usual mood or
temperament. Disposition could be a tendency or a habitual inclination like:
"a disposition or argue."
1. Natural and physical make-up (Fitrah): It is observed that some
people are patient while others are touchy and nervous. Some are easily
disturbed and saddened while others show greater resistance and resilience.
2. Habit: This is formed because of continual repetition of
certain acts and leads to the emergence of a certain disposition.
3. Practice and conscious effort: Which if persistent will
eventually produce a disposition.
Even though the physical make-up of an individual produces certain
dispositions in him, it is by no means true that man has no choice in the
matter and is absolutely compelled to abide by the dictates of his physical
make-up. On the contrary, since man has the power to choose, he can overcome
the dictates of his physical nature through practice and effort, and can
acquire the disposition of his choice.
Of course, it should be admitted that those dispositions which are
caused by the mental faculties such as intelligence, memory, mental agility and
the like, are not alterable. All other dispositions, however, may be changed according
to man's will. Man can control his lust, anger and other emotions and desires,
and channel them to edify himself and propel himself along the path of
perfection and wisdom.
It is of great importance to be mindful that Akhlaq forms an
important component of our religion Islam and our Imaan (faith).
Allah (SWT) speaks about the importance of good character in the
Noble Qur'an where HE says:
1. And say to My servants (that) they speak that which is best.
(17:53)
2. Worship Allah, and do not associate partners with him. And be
good to your parents, and the relatives, and to the orphans, and to the poor
people, and the neighbor that is close to you and the neighbor that is not
close to you, and your companion on the journey. (4:36)
3. Allah (SWT) speaks about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as,
"And most certainly you are on sublime morality (exalted standard of
character)." (68:4)
Many Ahadith can be quoted concerning good character. The
following are some of what the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
01. I have been sent is to perfect good manners.
02. There is not anything that will be placed on the scale
weightier than good Akhlaq, and, certainly, the one who has good Akhlaq reaches
by it the rank of one who continuously observes Saum (Fasts) and performs
abundant (Nafl) Salah.
03. The dearest of you to me is he who is the best of you in
Akhlaq.
04. Fear Allah (SWT) wherever you are, follow up an evil deed with
a good deed, and meet with the people, interact with the people, with good
Akhlaq.
05. The most complete of believers in Imaan (faith) are those who
are best in character.
06. The most (important) things that cause people to reach Heaven
are divine piety and a good temper.
07. Verily, a servant can gain the rank of him who both fasts during
the day and keeps vigil at night, keeping up prayers, through his good
disposition.
08. Imam Ali (as) said to his son, Imam Hassan (as): O' my son! No
wealth is more valuable than intelligence and no poverty is similar to
ignorance; no terror is worse than arrogance, and no life is more pleasant than
being good tempered.
09. Imam Ali (as) says, Good behavior lies in three traits:
Avoiding unlawful things, acquiring the lawful ones, and being fair to one's
family members.
10. Imam Hassan (as) says: The most preferable adornment is
graceful manners.
11. Imam Hassan (as) says: Verily, the best of bests is a good
temper.
12. Imam Ali ibn Husayn (as) said: Fair speech increases wealth,
stretches sustenance, postpones death, creates love among family members, and
causes the person to enter Heaven.
13. Imam Sadiq (as) said: There are three things that each of
which is brought by a person to Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will necessitate
Heaven for the one: donation in poverty, a good temper with all people, and
justice to one's self.
Do
you know, what is religion?
Once a man came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said: O
messenger of Allah, what is religion?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct.
Then he came to his front and asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is
religion?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct.
Then he came to his left side and asked: what is religion?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct.
Then he came to his back side and asked the same question: what is
religion?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct.
Then Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said looking at him: Not to be
angry is Good Conduct.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked: What is misfortune?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Bad Conduct.
Sadly we often hear Muslims saying that, "We Muslims have the
worst character."
With the beautiful example of our dear Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
in front of us, we should be showing and teaching people what good character
is.
If we live and act with good character we will benefit in numerous
ways and our lives will also serve to be an invitation to the deen (religion)
of Islam.
May Allah (SWT) make it possible for us to practice upon the
beautiful teachings in the Noble Qur'an the perfect example of our Holy Prophet
Muhammad (SAW). Ameen
How
Morals (Aklaq) will save us in the Hereafter?
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The best believer is
one with the best temper. The best person is one who is best for the people and
the most useful person is one who is most useful for the people."
It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that when the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) got the news of the death of Saad bin Maaz Ansari, he proceeded
along with the companions to join the funeral procession. He stood near Saad
bin Maaz Ansari while he was given the ritual final bath. When the bath was
over, he accompanied the bier without footwear and bare-head as is the custom
of the mourners. He sometimes carried the bier on his right shoulder and at
other on his left. On reaching the graveside, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
himself descended into the pit and with his own hands lowered Saad bin Maaz
Ansari into the grave. Then he arranged the bricks in the grave and put soil to
fill the grave. While putting soil into the grave the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) said, "Saad's mortal remains will get lost in the soil but Allah
(SWT) likes that the deeds one does are good and durable!" When the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was giving the last touches to the grave of Saad, the
dead companion's mother cried, 'O Saad! Greetings on your achieving the
Heaven!'
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, 'O mother of Saad! Keep
quiet! At the moment Saad is undergoing the pressures (Fishaar) of the grave!'
When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) returned from the grave yard,
the companions asked him, 'O messenger of Allah! The way you have attended
Saad's funeral, we have not seen you do any time in the past. You went
bare-footed. You kept your head uncovered.'
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'I saw the angels do
likewise and I followed suit.'
The companions asked, 'Sometimes you carried the bier on your
right shoulder and at others on the left?'
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'I was with Jibreel
(Gabriel), whichever side he went, I went the same way!' The companions asked,
'You have yourself given bath to Saad, led the funeral prayer, lowered him into
the grave and in the end said that he was undergoing the Fishaar of the grave!'
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'Saad was undergoing the Fishaar
because he used to treat the people of his house and friends with ill-temper.'
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