Good Manners a Muslim should follow (4/5)

8- Establishment of the ties of blood relationship:

Abu Hurairrah reported: the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: “Allah created all the creatures and when He finished the task of His creation, Ar-Rahm (ties of relationship) said: ‘(O Allah) at this place I seek refuge with You against severing my ties.’ Allah said: ‘That I treat with kindness those who treat you with kindness and sever ties with those who sever ties with you.’ It said: ‘I am satisfied.’ Allah said: ‘Then this is yours.’ (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It was related that Abu Huraira said: “Someone asked: ‘O Messenger of God, I have relatives with whom I endeavor to keep good relationship, but they sever it. I treat them well, but they ill treat me. I am kind to them but they are severe with me.’ So he (Peace be upon him) said: ‘If it is as you say, then throw hot ash at them and there would always remain with you on behalf of God who would keep you dominant over them so long as you keep to this.’” (Reported by Sahih Muslim)

In addition, keeping good relations with relatives is a means of attaining wealth and long life.

It was related that Anas ibn Malik said that the Messenger of God (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever wishes to be granted more wealth and for his life to be prolonged should preserve the ties of blood relationship.” (Reported by Sahih Muslim)

9- Lowering the gaze, Veil and Asking permission:

Allah, the Almighty says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. (30) *And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.)” (Surat An-Nur: 31).

Jarir bin `Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) about (the Islamic ruling on) accidental glance (i.e., at a woman one is not Islamically allowed to look at) and he ordered me to turn my eyes away. (Reported by Muslim)

-Veil: Allah ordained the veil woman to protect her honor and dignity and to promote lowering the gaze and because it is a protection for the whole community from desires and vice. Allah says:

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Surat Al-Ahzab: 59).

-Asking permission (asking permission because of looking): Lowering the gaze and asking permission cause chastity, heart purity and pleasure from Allah. Moreover, not lowering the gaze promotes adultery in the society, and leads to big sins.

It was narrated by Sahl bin Sa’d that he said: A man peeped through a round hole into the dwelling place of the Prophet (peace be upon him) while the Prophet had a Midra (an iron comb) with which he was scratching his head, the Prophet said, “Had I known you were looking (through the hole), I would have pierced your eye with it (i.e., the comb).” Verily! The order of taking permission to enter has been enjoined because of that sight, (that one should not look unlawfully at the state of others). (Reported by Sahih Al-Bukhari)

10- Haya’ (modesty):

Our Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) describes Haya’ (modesty) as he said: “and modesty is a part of faith.” (Reported by Sahih Al-Bukhari)

So that faith prevents Muslims from performing forbidden deeds and modesty (Haya’) prohibited Muslims from having bad qualities. Modesty is a small level and a part of faith and doesn’t bring anything to a Muslim except good in his treatment, speech and dealing with his family and community. It was narrated by Imran bin Husain that he said: The Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said: “Haya’ (modesty) does not bring anything except good.” (Reported by Sahih AL-Bukhari)

It was narrated by Abu Mas’ud that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “One of the sayings of the early Prophets which the people have got is: ‘If you don’t feel ashamed, then do whatever you like.’” (Reported by Sahih Bukhari)

Scholars said: modesty in fact is a characteristic that makes people abstain from ill-behavior and from not giving the rights to those who deserve them. Modesty is one of the characteristics of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) as his companions described him as “he had even more shyness than a virgin behind her veil.”

Modesty is a good feature for men because it raises their morals and treatments, as well as for women because it preserves their dignity and chastity. Modesty is like a dress that covers the body, if a man left it, his faults, bad morality and ill-features are exposed.

(Continued)