Ramadan Message 2008 - Day 26 (The Muslim Character)

Is he, then, to whom the evil of his conduct is made alluring, so that he looks upon it as good, (equal to one who is rightly guided)? For Allah leaves to stray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So let not thy soul go out in (vainly) sighing after them: for Allah knows well all that they do!
(Quran, Surah 35 Verse 8)

The character of a Muslim are laid out clearly in the Qur'an and is amply illustrated in the personality of the Prophet as told in the Hadith. We are genetically fashioned to have distinct characteristics. However, the Muslim will consciously groom his character; he does not allow it to flourish waywardly, untrimmed and unguarded. Below are a few highlights, which characterises the nature and orientation of the believer.

 A Muslim is a person, man or woman, who submits him to Allah, believing in His Oneness and in His Messengers. He has no doubt therein. [Are you an all-weather believer? Do you mix your faith with culture, nationalism or racism?]

 He is obedient to Allah and to Prophet Muhammad. He does not pick and chose when to obey. His is a wholehearted submission (Quran 2 Verse 208).

 He is conscientious with his Salaah, generous in giving of Sadaqah & Zakaah, fasts regularly and most especially in the month of Ramadan; and he behold the hajj no grudge. [Did you fast at least 10 days in the months aside from Ramadan?]

 He is truthful in speech and in deed (Qur'an 33 Verse 70-71). He is patient and humble in his disposition. (Qur'an 2 Verse 45) [Are you able to control your anger even outside Ramadan?]

 He guards strictly his chastity and remembers Allah abundantly and regularly with his tongue and his hearts. Hence his inward acclimatisation translates to an outward healthy disposition.

 He does not argue with revelation, nor does he alter (or seek to undermine) that which Allah and His Prophet have decided (Qur'an 33 Verse 36). [Do you refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah as against conjecture, common sense or cultural practises when guidance is required?]

 He is conscious of his nature and the nature of all the things around him. He seeks not to change the fair nature of what Allah has created (Qur'an 30 verse 30). Otherwise he would be competing with Allah in His attributes of being the Maker, Creator, Fashioners and Moulder.

 He has a good family and sex orientation. He seeks not to destroy the family by engaging in or promoting fornication and adultery, nor does he seek to evil relationships, which led to the destruction of people before us. Hence, he does not partake in sex outside marriage, or sex with same sex or an unnatural sexual acts.

 He is patient with people, not aggressive; he is understanding and tolerating. He does not judge people by their appearance, nor is he prejudiced. He believes in the humane and just treatment of everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims, knowing that Allah is the ultimate judge.

 He hopes and prays for Paradise and does not attribute Paradise to himself or assure others of their Hell-Fire destination.

In conclusion, good intentions (ikhlas niyyah), true faith, devotion to worship, and a good exposure to the nature of the Rasul define a beautiful character. This will translate into kindness, understanding, politeness, a belief in Allah’ Justice, fair dealing in action, a love for all things created by Allah, a capacity for mercy & forgiveness, and a desire to be clean. Your character is yours and it is a result of your values and perceptions. But just like your body, your character is an amanah (trust upon you by Allah); you are accountable to Allah about what you did to it.