Ramadan 2019/1440: Thought of the Day 8

The quote for Day 8 of Ramadan from my box of things to think about is:

“There is nothing heavier in the scales than good character” ~ Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)

Someone once told me that we should look for character in a person, especially when enquiring for marriage, rather than how religious they are. Iman (faith) fluctuates over time, whereas good character is a constant.  What does good character look like?

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Be devout and you will be the most pious of people. Be content and you will be the most grateful of people. Love for people what you love for yourself and you will be a believer. Behave well with your neighbours and you will be a Muslim. Laugh less, for too much laughter will deaden the heart.

One way of judging good character, or akhlaq, is when you are at the receiving end of it.  Every now and again you come across someone who treats you with such respect, compassion and kindness, that whether you consider yourself deserving or not, you feel so good.  I know a few sisters who have this beautiful quality of making others feel valued and valuable and they are truly my role models and women I hope to learn from.

Another aspect that comes to mind, is that with someone of good character, you feel safe. Safe from a sharp tongue or cruel words, from broken promises, from backbiting, from the arrogance of those who look down on others.  You feel safe from the risk of being lied to and of being cheated.

May Allah (SWT) bless us and all of our children with excellent character as a means to be beautiful representatives of Islam and as a means to please Allah (SWT) insh’Allah

“The most beloved of you to Allah is the best of you in character” (Bukhari)

“Truly, the believer can reach, by means of good manners and morals, the degree of one who constantly fasts.” (Abu Dawood)

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character and who are most kind to their families.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2612)

Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:“The heaviest thing to be placed in the balance of a believing slave on the Day of Judgement will be good behaviour” (Ahmad and Abu Dawood)

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