A Sample of the Guidance of the Prophet on Manners

 

 

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

A Sample of the Guidance of the Prophet on Manners

 

Many of the hadith recorded below are also mentioned in the chapter on the Sunnah of the Prophet. Muslims and non-Muslims are further encouraged to explore more from the Quran and the Sunnah to learn how to become better people and better worshippers. Undoubtedly, Allah cares not for our worship, if that worship is accompanied by a lack of kindness and concern for the people, animals and environment around us.

 

On the Excellence of Good Manners

 

1. Abu Hurairah reported: The Messenger of Allah said, "The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best manners, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives".  [Tirmidhi]

 

2. Abu-Darda’ reported: The Prophet said, "Nothing will be heavier in the Scales of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than their good manners. Allah hates one who uses foul or coarse language.''   [Tirmidhi]

 

On Being Content with what you Have

 

3. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Look at those who are inferior to you and do not look at those who are superior to you, for this will keep you from belittling Allah's Favors to you.''  [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

On the Best Kind of Food

 

4. Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet said, "No food is better to a man than that which he earns through his own manual labor. David, the Prophet of Allah, ate only out of the efforts of his manual labor.''  [Bukhari]

 

On the Some of the Best Deeds in Islam

 

5. `Abdullah bin `Amr bin al-`Aas reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah, "Which act in Islam is the best?'' He replied, "To feed the poor and the needy, and to give greetings to those whom you know and those whom you do not know.'' [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

On Charity, Honor and High Status

 

6. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "Wealth is never diminished by the giving of charity. Allah increases the honor of one who forgives others, and the one who displays humbleness towards other people thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah exalts him in status.''   [Muslim]

 

On the True Meaning of Arrogance

 

7. `Abdullah bin Mas`ud reported: The Prophet said, "He who possesses in his heart the smallest degree of arrogance will not enter Paradise.'' Someone said, "A man likes to wear beautiful clothes and shoes?'' The Messenger of Allah replied by saying, "Allah is Beautiful and He loves beauty. Arrogance is to ridicule or reject the Truth, and to look down upon people.''   [Muslim]

 

On the Command to Make Matters Easy for People  

 

8. Anas reported: The Prophet said, "Make things easy and do not make them difficult. Cheer people up by conveying glad tidings to them, and do not push them away (with negativity).''   [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

On the Excellence of Modesty  

 

9. `Imran bin Husain reported: the Messenger of Allah said, "Modesty does not bring anything except good.''  [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

On Kindness in Business Dealings and in Regards to Loans  

 

10. Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah said, "May Allah’s Mercy be upon a man who adopts a kind and easy attitude when he sells and buys, and when he demands repayment of loans that he gave out.''  [Bukhari] 

 

11. Abu Mas`ud al-Badri reported: The Messenger of Allah said, “A person from amongst the people who lived before you was called to account by Allah on the Day of Resurrection. No exceptional good deeds were found in his credit except that he, being a rich man, had financial dealings with people and had commanded his servants to show leniency to those who were having difficulty repaying their loans. Upon this, Allah the Exalted and Majestic said, ‘I am more entitled to this characteristic (of leniency), so waive this man’s sins.’”  [Muslim]

 

On the Excellence of the Attitude of the Believer  

 

12. On the authority of Suhayb who narrates: The Messenger of Allah said: “How wonderful is the attitude of the believer, for his attitude is always good, and this applies to no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks and that is good for him. And if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” [Muslim]

 

On Kindness to Widows and the Poor

 

13. Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet said, “One who strives to help the widows and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.” The narrator said, “I think that he added also, ‘I shall regard him as the one who stands up (for prayer) without rest, and as the one who observes fasts continuously.’”  [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

On Kindness to the Neighbor and Hospitality  

 

14. Abu Shuraih Al-Khuza`i reported: The Prophet said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor. And he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest. And he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent.”  [Muslim]

 

On the Relationship between Faith and Brotherhood

 

15. Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet said, “No one amongst you truly believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.” [Muslim]

 

On Concealing the Faults of Others  

 

16. Abu Hurairah reported: The Prophet said, “Allah will cover up on the Day of Resurrection the defects (faults) of the one who covers up the faults of the others in this world.”  [Muslim]

 

So it is hoped that Muslims will humbly turn back in repentance to Allah and strive hard against the temptations of Satan, so that they will truly become the ambassadors that this noble religion deserves. And that they may also be the examples of mercy, charitableness, tolerance and general righteousness that this religion has undoubtedly produced throughout every century, calling all peoples towards the success and light that the worship of Allah alone brings—amen.

 

And further, for those who have not yet accepted Islam, it is hoped that they will reflect deeply upon the evidences and arguments presented in this book, remembering that this life is certainly a gift and an opportunity that should not be wasted. How can you meet your Lord, after your time has expired in this life, having spent your whole life pursuing your own desires and not bowing yourself down to worship Him, except on your own terms? Act before it’s too late, or you will have the rest of eternity to regret your inaction.

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Excellent Manners—the Path to Paradise

 

 

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Excellent Manners – the Path to Paradise

 

This brief chapter is being written for both Muslims and non-Muslims. For Muslims, it is a reminder from which we can all benefit. It should serve to guide us back to the excellent conduct exhibited by the Prophet Muhammad pbuh which, in of itself, is one of the most excellent and effective methods of demonstrating the beauty of Islam to others and calling them to it.

 

For non-Muslims though, this chapter serves two purposes. Firstly, it gives an in-depth look into the beautiful teachings of this noble religion in the area of interpersonal relations, and just how much emphasis Islam places upon values like: forgiveness of others, sincerity, compassion, gentleness, truthfulness and thoughtfulness. Secondly, it offers a guide as to how Muslims should behave, for those non-Muslims who interact with Muslims. 

 

Unfortunately in the world today, many people who come from Islamic backgrounds, but otherwise know or practice little of the teachings of Islam, are coming into more and more contact with non-Muslims. Non-Muslims naturally think that such people are in some ways representatives of Islam, and they often judge Islam based on their interaction with these people. Hence, this chapter is intended in many ways to show non-Muslims what Islam truly teaches so that they will judge the religion based upon its teachings, and not base it upon the behavior of some Muslims.

 

Certainly, most fair and reasonable people will refrain from judging others based on the actions of a minority of their adherents, as they don’t want their own religions or nationalities to be judged in a similar manner. For example, Germans should not be judged for the actions of the Nazi party, nor should the average American be held responsible for the mistreatment and oppression of Native Americans or African slaves. 

 

Most Christians are similarly truly appalled by the barbarity of the Crusade wars or the Spanish Inquisition. Indeed, this is the same logic that the great boxer Muhammad Ali used when a Christian reporter asked him how he felt knowing that he practiced the same religion as Osama bin Laden when he simply replied to the reporter, “How do you feel about Hitler belonging to your religion?”  

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Why Will those who do not Submit be Punished with an Eternal Punishment?

 

 

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Why Will those who do not Submit be Punished with an Eternal Punishment?

 

Many people, even some Muslims, have wondered why it is that someone may only live a few decades on this Earth and yet receive in return, either an eternity of Paradise or an eternity of punishment. The answer is actually quite straightforward when one looks at the matter from the perspective of intentions. The Prophet Muhammad pbuh is authentically recorded as having said:

 

Indeed, all actions will be judged according to their intentions and everyone shall have what he intended …. [Bukhari and Muslim]

 

Those people who lived a life of denial and were concerned only with themselves would live that way if they were given a thousand years or more. They never had the intention to do anything different than that which they were doing, and the same goes for those who submitted to the worship of God. If they were given a million years of life, they too would have worshipped Him for that long. 

 

Thus, as the hadith mentions, everyone will be judged according to what they intended. If the person had no real intention to ever worship their Lord alone, then they will be put far from God’s mercy on the Day of Judgment and be thrown into Hellfire forever, and vice versa.

 

For this reason, it is so important that people take a serious look at what they are doing with their lives. It is amazing that some people will spend several months researching options before buying a car that they may only keep for a few years, yet they will not even give one hour to consider the meaning of their life and their relationship with the One that brought them into existence. You have been given an entire lifetime, and for so many people, in the end it was all about serving their own self and not their Creator.

 

Of course, the details of the Hereafter and its study are matters which are extremely deep in Islam and comprise large portions of both the Quran and Sunnah. This brief discussion was only intended to discuss the evidences behind the concept and to show the lack of “blind faith” in Islam. For more information on the description of Paradise and Hellfire in Islam, please refer to the recommended resources at the back of this book.  

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