Lesson Fifteen - Every Muslim must Adorn Himself with Manners that are Legislated by Islam

From those manners are the following:

1) Truthfulness

2) Trustworthiness

3) Chastity.

4) Modesty or shyness.

5) Bravery.

6) Generosity.

7) Fulfilling one's word.

8) Staying away from all that Allah has forbidden.

9) Being good to one's neighbor.

10) Helping those in need, as much as one is able.

And all other manners that the Qur'an and Sunnah legislate.



After having explained the rulings for both the greater and the lesser Fiqh, the author now moves on to clarify certain Islamic manners to the general population of Muslims.

My brother Muslim - may Allah Almighty grant us success in all that, is good - you must apply those manners and become an excellent example for the people, an example of Islam's high morals and manners.

From the very beginning, Islam spread throughout the populated lands of the earth by way of Muslim merchants and other traveling Muslims - people who were truthful and who fulfilled their trust. My hope is with Allah Almighty, and then with you, my brother Muslim, in that you should be from those who are adorned with the greatest of manners - Islamic manners.

You must adorn yourself with every manner that Allah or His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ordered you to apply or encouraged you to apply, for the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by AI-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad as well as Ahmad and AI-Hakim with a Sahih chain.)

In another Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by AI-Hakim and Abu Nu'aym with a Sahih chain.)

Allah Almighty described the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) saying:


When 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha), was asked about the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) manners, she said, "His manners were the Qur'an." (Recorded by Muslim).

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would ask his Lord to guide him to righteous manners, to keep him far away from bad ones. In a Hadith, he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:


O Allah, forgive me all of my sins and errors; 0 Allah, rejuvenate me and protect me from poverty; 0 Allah, guide me to good deeds and manners, for no one can guide to the good ones except You, and no one can ward off the bad ones except You.

(Recorded by AI-Hakim and there is a witnessing narration for it.' according to fun As-Sunni, so it is a Hasan Hadith due to its many routes of transmission.)

The following Hadith clearly shows the superiority of good manners:



(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud with a Hasan chain.)

And in another narration:



(Recorded by AI-Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said:



(Recorded by Al-Hakim with a Hasan chain.)

Good manners can help you get into Paradise, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by Abu Dawud with a Hasan chain.)

Good manners can also bring about Allah's love for His worshipper, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by At-Tabarani with a Sahih chain).

Good manners can also help you gain the Prophet's love and his closeness on the Day of Judgement; the Prophet
(Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Indeed, the most beloved of you to me and the ones seated closest to me from you on the Day of Judgement are those from you who have the best manners.

(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi with a Hasan chain.)

Good manners are very heavy on your Scale of deeds; indeed, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by Abu Dawud with a Sahih chain.)

By having good manners, you can reach the level of the one who fasts and the one who stands late in the night to pray. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Indeed, through his good manners, a man reaches the levels of the one who stands at night (to pray) and the one who fasts during the day.

(Recorded by Abu Dawud and AI-Hakim with a Sahih chain.)

And finally, good manners can help increase you in your age and can help bring life into your home. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Good manners and being good to neighbors - both of these bring life to homes and cause one's life span to be prolonged.

(Recorded by Ahmad with a Sahih chain).


To continue Insha Allah

Truthfulness: The Shaikh began a list of good manners with truthfulness, a characteristic that Allah ordered us apply:


The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Indeed, truthfulness guides to righteousness; indeed, righteousness guides to Paradise. And a man continues to tell the truth until He is written with Allah as a truthful one.

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi).

Truthfulness involves many traits - truthfulness in speech, in promises, in appointments, in buying, and in selling. Let your slogan, my brother, be truthfulness, and in all situations, train yourself to be truthful, for it will serve as a protection.


Trustworthiness In many ways man is entrusted with duties, and Allah Almighty has ordered man to fulfill the most primary of duties - all religious obligations and commandments - after the heavens and the earth declined to bear those duties:

Truly We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results). (Surah Al-Ahzab 33: 72)

You fulfill your trust by performing deeds as Allah Almighty ordered you to perform them. Then at another level, you have been entrusted with your wife and children; it is your responsibility to give those children a righteous upbringing. You have been entrusted with both a body and senses: therefore you must use them only in the obedience of Allah. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Gatherings must be with trust, except for three gatherings: a gathering wherein blood is wrongfully spilled, (a gathering wherein) the unlawful occurs with the private parts, (or a gathering wherein) wealth is taken from another without a right to do so.

(Recorded by Abu Dawud.)

At yet another level, there is a trust between husband and wife; the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

From the greatest of trusts (which are broken) with Allah on the Day of Judgement is a man who has intimate relations with his wife and a wife who has intimate relations with her husband, and then he spreads her secrets.

(Recorded by Ahmad)

Finally, one must return those things which were kept with him for safekeeping, or those things which were lent to him, returning them according to the agreement that was made, for Allah Almighty says:


The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Return the trust to the person who entrusted you, and do not deceive the one who has deceived you.

(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud with a Sahih chain.)

We should try to fulfill all trusts that are given to us because, since not doing so is an indication of hypocrisy. When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was describing the signs of a hypocrite, he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



Chastity: In one context, the Arabic word for chastity means to protect oneself from sexual wrongdoing, a characteristic that is a must for a Muslim:

And let those who find not the financial means for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah enriches them of His bounty. (Surah An-Nur 24: 33)

A Muslim protects himself from perpetrating vile and evil deeds, hoping to receive reward from Allah. When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was describing the seven categories of people who will be in Allah's Shade, one of the categories he mentioned was:

And a man whom a woman possessing both status and beauty invites (to herself), and he says, "Indeed, I fear Allah."

In another context, the Arabic word that generally means chastity takes on the meaning of modesty and self-respect; Allah Almighty says:

The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 273)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

The upper hand is better than the lower one, and begin with those who are under your guardianship (or care). The best charity is to give that which is left after one spends on one's needs (and on one's family's needs); whoever stays away from the unlawful and from asking people, Allah protects him; and whoever seeks independence from people (seeking total dependence on Allah), Allah makes him rich.

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Modesty or shyness: Shyness helps prevent one from perpetrating evil deeds, acting as a barrier between man and sin. Furthermore, it prevents one from being negligent with Allah's rights and the rights of His creatures. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

From what the people know regarding the earliest sayings of the Prophets is, 'If you have no shame, then do as you please."

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari)

Shyness is one of the branches of faith, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Iman consists of more then seventy branches; the best of them is the saying, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' The lowest one is to remove something harmful from a path, and shyness is one of the branches of faith.

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

To emphasize the importance of shyness, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



(Recorded by Muslim)

And:

Indeed Allah is modest and concealed, He loves shyness and loves to cover the faults of His creatures.

(Recorded by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ahmad)

The greatest form of shyness is to be shy from Allah Almighty, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Be shy from Allah with a true shyness; whoever is truly shy from Allah, should be careful regarding his head and what it stores, and regarding his stomach and what it stores; (such a person) should remember death and passing away; whoever desires the Hereafter, leaves the beautiful things of this world. Whoever has done all of that, then he has been shy from Allah with true shyness.

(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, and Al--Hakim, and it is a Hasan Hadith).


Bravery: Bravery is also one of the noble characteristics of the Muslim. You should know, however, that bravery lies in the heart, while strength lies in the body. The Muslim is one who says the word of truth for Allah, without fearing the blame of anyone.


Generosity: We have in this regard the example of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) about whom Ibn 'Abbas, (Radhi Allahu Anhu) who said, "The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of people." And Allah gave glad tidings to those believers who are generous:

Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 274)

One of the best forms of generosity is that which is shown to one's neighbors and guests, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



When given a choice between spending in the way of Allah and between holding on to our wealth, we should consider this Hadith:

O son of Adam, if you give in charity from your excess wealth then that is good for you, and if you keep it, then that is evil for you.

(Recorded by Muslim and At-Tirmidhi)

Whenever one spends for a good cause, Allah rewards him with that which is better than what he spent, for Allah Almighty says:

And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Face. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 272)

In a Qudsi Hadith, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) related that Allah Almighty said:



(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Fulfilling one's word or promise: To fulfill one's word or promise is one of the greatest characteristics of a Muslim; Allah Almighty says:



To not fulfill one's promises is from the characteristics of the hypocrite; as the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was describing the traits of the hypocrite, he said:


Regardless of whether it is in buying, selling, or even in matters related to marriage, one should fulfill not only the agreement in general, but all of the conditions that were stipulated and agreed upon. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:



He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said,


So let the Muslim beware of a stem punishment awaiting those who betray their brothers and usurp their rights.

To continue Insha Allah

Staying away from all that Allah has forbidden: It is the responsibility of every Muslim to seek out lawful sustenance, while leaving anything that Allah has declared to be unlawful. In a Hadith related by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Indeed Allah is good and pure and He doesn't accept other than what is good and pure. And Allah ordered the believers with the same command with which he ordered the Messengers.

For Allah Almighty said:

O you who believe! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with, and be grateful to Allah, if it is indeed He Whom you worship. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 172)

Then the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) mentioned:

A man on long journey, who was disheveled and dust•covered; he would raise his hands to the sky, and say, "0 my Lord, 0 my Lord." However, his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothes were unlawful - he was sustained by unlawful. How is it that his prayer could be answered?

(Recorded by Muslim)

The Muslim is ordered to stay far away from the unlawful, like consuming Riba (interest and usury):

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (interest and usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 278)

Another example is to wrongfully consume the wealth of an orphan; Allah Almighty says:

Verily, those who unjustly consume the property of orphans, they eat up only fire into their bellies, and they will be burnt in the blazing Fire. (Surah An-Nisa’ 4: 10)

And yet another example is eating from money taken through bribery:

And consume not one another's property unjustly, nor give bribery to the rulers that you may knowingly consume a part of the property of others sinfully. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 188)

The Muslim leaves not only what is forbidden, but also what is doubtful. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Leave that which you doubt thereof, for which you have no doubt.

(Recorded by An-Nasa'i and At-Tirmithi with a Sahih chain).

By perpetrating that which is doubtful, one is led to perpetrating that which is unlawful. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Indeed, the lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear; however, between them are matters that are not clear, not many people know about those matters. Whoever avoids the unclear matters, he has protected both his religion and his honor. Whoever deals with the unclear matters, he deals with the unlawful. Like a shepherd, grazing around the limits of a sanctuary, coming close to entering it. Indeed every king has such a sanctuary; indeed the unlawful are the sanctuary of Allah.

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).


Being good to one's neighbor: Allah Almighty says:

Worship Allah and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet). (Surah An-Nisa’ 4: 36)

Al-Qurtubi (Al-Jami' Al-Ahkam Al-Qur'an Al-Karim 5:183) said, "It is correct that the order to be good to the neighbor means that it is recommended to be good to him whether he is a Muslim or a disbeliever. To do good to one's neighbor may mean to console him, and it may mean to deal well with him, by not harming him, and by defending him."

Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) ordered being good to the neighbor, saying:

Be one who avoids certain things that are lawful for fear that they will lead to that which is forbidden, and you will be from those who are best in worship; be content, and you will be the most thankful of people. Love for others what you love for yourself, and you will be a believer. Be good to your neighbors, and you will be a Muslim.

(Recorded by Ibn Majah, Abu Ya'la, and Abu Nu'aym in Al-Hilyah and it is Hasan.)

Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Jibril continued to advise me to be good to my neighbor, so much so, that I thought he would make him one of my heirs.

(Agreed upon)

One way to do good to one's neighbor is to give him a gift. On one occasion, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to Abu Tharr (Radhi Allahu Anhu):

When you cook broth, add more water to it, then go to your neighbor's household, and give them a good portion thereof.

(Recorded by Muslim)

Do not limit yourself in this regard, giving a gift only to the poor; rather, give gifts to your rich neighbors as well; the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

The best neighbor with Allah is the one from them who deals most honorably with his neighbor.

(Recorded by At-Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Ad-Darimi, and Al-Hakim with a Sahih chain).

Having a good neighbor can even help one achieve happiness, for the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Four are from happiness: a righteous wife, a spacious home, a righteous neighbor, and a comfortable mount.

(Recorded by Ibn Hibban with a Sahih chain)

It is not only in giving things that one shows kindness to his neighbor, but it is also in ordering him to do good, forbidding him from evil, and advising him in general.



Helping those in need, as much as one is able: This is from the noblest of deeds, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Allah continues to help the worshipper as long as the worshipper is helping his brother.

(Recorded by Muslim)

He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said,

Whoever is there for his brother's need, Allah is there for his need.

(Recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The poor, the widows, the orphans, and those, who though not poor, in some areas are in need: all of these categories of people need help. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

The one who seeks to help the widows and the poor is like the one who is fighting in the way of Allah.

The narrator of the Hadith said, "and I think he said:

and like the one who stands for prayer" without tiring and the one who fasts without breaking his fast."

(Recorded by Al-¬Bukhari and Muslim)

Some people do not need material help in as much as they need someone to intercede for them; the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Intercede (for others when the cause is good and lawful) and you will be rewarded.

(Recorded by AI-Bukhari and Muslim)

Anytime a brother needs help from you, whether it be in a great matter or a small one, you should help him, for the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

To help your brother onto his mount or to raise to him his belongings is charity.

(Recorded by AI-Bukhari and Muslim)