Good Manners in Islam
Akhlaak/manners play an important role in Islam. It is essential for a Muslim that he/she clothes themselves with the Akhlaak shown to us by the beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and his noble companions. There is no doubt that Akhlaak is one of the qualities of a believer, most importantly it is a trademark and quality of the master of the both worlds Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Sayyidna Anas Bin Malik Radiyallahu Anhu says: “Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had the best manners amongst all the human beings” (Bukhari 6420 and Muslim 2309).
It is pivotal that we ask ourselves this question on a regular basis, that is our Akhlaak in accordance to what Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has taught us or does it go against his blessed teachings. This answer can be shown by ones actions, by ones behaviour, whether it is in private or public.
Our Akhlaak in all stages of life should be in accordance with the Akhlaak of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Akhlaak is not restricted to one particular avenue. It is for all stages of life.
Having good manners and Akhlaak is also a form of Dawah. One may think that how is this so? One only has to trace back to the life of noble companions. They would travel far and wide across the globe, sometimes in the form of battles or sometimes in the form of seeking knowledge. Despite the power and authority they possessed, they would never force upon a person to accept Islam as this goes against what the Holy Quran says. So what was that spark about them that blossomed into the hearts of those who set eyes on them, and would happily enter into the fold of Islam? Surely it was their manners and Akhlaak that they had inherited from the leader of the both worlds Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam that brought others into the fold of Islam.
It is unfortunate that we have portrayed Islam opposite to that which was portrayed by the blessed companions. Our manners are contrary to theirs.
Today, instead of speaking to one another in a polite and beautiful manner, we choose a harsh, aggressive tone. Instead of bringing a person closer to us and closer to Islam (as this is our main objective) we instead by using such aggressive tones which draw them further away from us and further away from deen. This was not the manners that were acquired by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala mentions: “So, it is through the mercy of Allah that you are gentle to them. Had you been rough and hardhearted, they would have dispersed from around you” (Surah Al Imran verse 159).
Sayyidna Abdullah Bin Amr Radiyallahu Anhu has narrated that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was neither immodest nor did he use obscene language. He used to say, “The best among you are those who have the best manners “ (Musnad Ahmad).
We learn Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was polite and very well mannered. How many of us can also say that we too share this blessed character of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam?
A sign of a true Muslim is not to harm anyone at all; unfortunately, we too have fallen into this category. Whether we intend it or not we cause difficulty to everyone, even to our own neighbours. Sometimes it is in the form of parking in front of their house or sometimes it is because we scream and shout in our houses, we make so much noise that it becomes a mean of us causing difficulty for them. These are practices which unfortunately have engulfed into our lives. We deem it to be acceptable to throw our litter on streets when dustbins are literally in front of us. How low have we Muslims fallen? Have we become so lazy and un-Islamic that we have forgotten how to keep our environments clean and tidy? Our environments should be treated in the same manner as we treat our homes. When people enter an environment and see it clean then the first thing they should think is that Muslims live here. The root of all these acts depends on ones characteristics. A Muslim who adopts good manners will never fall prey to these downfalls.
In conclusion, Akhlaak and manners holds a very important role in the life of a Muslim. Our Akhlaak should always be in accordance with that of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and his noble companions. Failure in this leaves the consequence of giving Islam and our Beloved Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam a name which is not suitable and befitting. However, for those who adopt good manners great merit has been mentioned for them by the blessed tongue of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
“Amr Bin Shuayb has narrated on the authority of his grandfather that he heard Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam say, “Shall I tell you who among you is dearest to me and who will be nearest to me on the day of resurrection? On hearing this, the companions kept quiet. He repeated these words twice or thrice. The companions submitted “O messenger of Allah, do tell us! “So he said, “He who is the best-mannered among you will get this honour.” (Adabul Mufrad p146)
