Morals (3/3)

4. Honesty And Sincerity

A Muslim should be truthful, not dishonest, and speak the truth regardless of the consequences. Telling a lie is the worst kind of degraded behaviour and provides an opening to the devil. Such dishonesty and insincerity weaken the soul, depress the spirit and undermine the morality generally.

Avoiding this behaviour will produce the characteristics of fortitude and endurance and will guard against self-doubt and the influence of the devil. The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Verily truth will lead to goodness and goodness will lead to heaven. A person who develops a habit of honesty will be accepted by Allah as an honest person. But lying leads to evil, and evil leads to the Hellfire. A person who lies until dishonesty becomes habitual will be written off by Allah as a liar.”

Subsection Humility

The Muslim should be humble, especially toward other Muslims. There is no difference between rich and poor.

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) always prayed for protection from pride.

Once he said: “No one will enter Paradise who has even a little bit of pride.” [Reported by Muslim]

In a qudsi hadith, Allah says, “Pride is My attire, greatness is My robe, whoever competes with me in either of these will be cast into Hellfire.”

Subsection Trust And Kindness

Every Muslim should avoid undue suspicion, slander, detraction, teasing, and fault-finding. Allah, the Almighty has said:

“O you who believe, avoid suspicion as much as possible, for suspicion in some cases is a sin, and spy not on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay you would abhor it. But fear Allah, for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12]

“And those who undeservedly annoy believing men and women are guilty of calumny and a glaring sin.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:51]

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“O you who believe with your tongue only, your belief does not yet enter your heart. Do not slander a Muslim or tell his faults nor even look for your brother’s faults, because whoever uncovers his brother’s fault, will have his own faults revealed by Allah even in his own house.”

Subsection Grace

A Muslim should behave graciously, sacrificing self and wealth for the sake of Allah. We see many examples of status and high ambition demolished by the desire for wealth.

Allah, the Almighty, has said:

“(Believers are those) who spend (freely) out of the gifts We have given them for sustenince.” [Qur’an, Surah Al-Anfal, 8:4]

“Whatever good you give benefits your own souls, provided that you only do so seeking the pleasure of Allah, for whatever good you give will be repaid in full, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.” [Qur’an, Surah AL-Baqarah, 2:272]

The Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“Not a day passes but Allah sends two angels to every servant of His, and the angel says, “O, Allah, reward those who spend their wealth for Your sake;” and the other says, “O Allah, punish those who are stingy.” [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

5. Good Example

A Muslim must set a good example. Every action should portray Islamic principles in everyday life, in eating, drinking, dressing, speaking, in peace, during a journey, at home, in action, and in silence.