Prophet’s Sunnah Regarding Manners and Character (2/2)

He taught through his own example, but his instructions and advice given additional emphasis.

“Let there be no harm [to anyone] and no harming [in reciprocation].[1]  Whoever of you sees a wrong, let him change it by his hand; and if he is not able, then with his tongue; and if he is not able, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”[2]

“The believer who mixes with the people and is patient with their abuse is better than the believer who does not mix with the people and is not patient with their abuse.”[3]

“Should I not inform you of the best witness? It is the one who produces his evidence before he is asked for it.”[4]  “Make things easy and do not make them difficult; give good tidings and do not drive [people] away.”[5]

“May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when he sells, lenient when he buys and lenient when he requests payment.”[6]  “Those who are merciful will be given mercy by the Most Merciful. Have mercy upon those on the earth and you will obtain mercy from Him in the heaven.”[7]

“Do not envy one another; do not deceive one another; do not hate one another; do not turn your backs on one another; and do not intrude on the transactions of one another, but be, O servants of Allah, brothers.”[8]

“From the excellence of a person's Islam is his leaving alone what does not concern him.”[9] “He is in a good state, who is occupied with his own faults rather than the faults of [other] people.”[10]

“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should say what is good or keep quiet.”[11] “Sufficient it is as a lie for a person to speak of everything he hears.”[12]  “Do not backbite Muslims or pursue their faults. For he who pursues the fault of his brother Muslim - Allah will pursue his fault, and when Allah pursues his fault, He will expose him, even if he should be in the interior of his house.”[13]

“If someone insults you and describes you with a fault you do not have, do not describe him with a fault he does have. Rather, let him earn the sin, and you will have the reward; and do not curse anyone.”[14]

The Messenger of Allah advocated tolerance, forgiveness and avoiding revenge. He said, "Indeed, Allah is kind and loves kindness. He grants for kindness what He does not grant for harshness.”[15] “No household is given lenience but that it benefits them.”[16] “Allah does not increase His servant who pardons [others] except in honor."[17]

He would excuse those who were offensive in their dealings with him on a personal level, but if the transgression had to do with disobedience to Allah or injustice to others, he would show his disapproval and anger, and would not hesitate to take appropriate action. This is reflected in severe warnings to unrepentant transgressors:  

“The most ruthless in punishing people in this world will be the most ruthlessly punished of people by Allah on the Day of Resurrection.”[18]  “The most severely punished of people on the Day of Resurrection is an unjust leader.”[19]

“Fear the supplication of one who is wronged, even a non-believer, for there is nothing to screen it [from Allah].”[20] “For every traitor there will be a banner by which he will be known on the Day of Resurrection.”[21]

“Among that which people knew from the words of former prophecy is: When you feel no shame, then do whatever you wish.”[22] “The worst of people is one that others leave alone out of fear of his evil.”[23]

The warnings issued by Allah's Messenger about punishments in the next life are balanced with countless indications of how to avoid them and attain Paradise through correct worship and righteous deeds. Study and reflection reveal that the Prophet's guidance is comprehensive, balanced and complete. He used a variety of approaches in dealing with different issues because conditions and personalities are diverse. He observed, "Indeed, the religion is easy, and no one will make religion difficult but that it will overpower him. So do what is right, strive for perfection, receive good tidings [of reward], and seek help through prayer in the mornings, afternoons and some part of the night.”[24]