Ideal personality of a Muslim

The ideal Muslim character is distinct and balanced. The Muslim is the embodiment of the teachings of the Quran and the ‘Sunnah’ (sayings, actions and the approvals of the Prophet Muhammad ). He follows the teachings of the Book of Allaah (i.e. Quran) and the example of the Prophet Muhammad in all affairs, relations, and situations – starting with his relationship with his Lord, his own self, his family and the people around him.

In what follows is a brief overview of some qualities of the ideal Muslim personality.

His attitude towards Allaah :

One of the most distinguishing features of the (ideal) Muslim is his deep faith in Allaah, The Exalted, and his conviction that whatever happens in the universe and whatever befalls him, only happens through the will and the decree of Allaah. The Muslim is closely connected to Allaah, constantly remembers Him, puts his trust in Him and is obedient towards Him.

His faith is pure and clear, uncontaminated by any strain of ignorance, superstition or illusion. His belief and worship are based on the Quran and the authentic ‘Sunnah’.

The Muslim is alert and open-minded to the magnificence of Allaah. He knows that it is Allaah who is in control of the affairs of the universe and of mankind, and He (Allaah) Knows all and Witnesses every secret.

A Muslim feels in the depths of his soul that he is in constant need of the help and support of Allaah, no matter how much he may think he can do for himself. He has no choice in his life but to submit to the will of Allaah, worship Him, strive towards the Right Path and do good deeds.

This will guide him to be righteous and upright in all his deeds, both in public and in private.

A Muslim recognizes the signs of the unlimited power of Allaah in the universe, and so his faith in Allaah increases: Allaah, The Exalted, Says (what means): “Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding. Such as remember Allaah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! You created not this in vain. Glory be to You! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.” [Quran 3: 190-191]

His attitude towards his body, mind and soul :
The Muslim pays due attention to his body’s physical, intellectual and spiritual needs.

He takes good care of his body, promoting its good health and strength. He is active, doesn’t eat in excess; but he eats enough to maintain his health and energy. He understands that a strong believer is more loved by Allaah than a weak believer. Allaah, The Exalted, Says (what means): “…Eat and drink; but waste not by excess, for Allaah loves not the wasters.” [Quran 7: 31]

The Muslim keeps away from drugs and stimulants. He also does not forget to exercise regularly to maintain his physical fitness.

The Muslim also keeps his body and clothes very clean. He bathes frequently. The Prophet placed a great emphasis on cleanliness and bathing. Cleanliness makes the Muslim more likeable to people. He also takes care of his mouth and teeth.

It is no surprise that the Muslim is concerned with his clothing and appearance. The Muslim does all of this in accordance with the Islamic ideal of moderation, avoiding the extremes of exaggeration and negligence.

Allaah Says (what means): “Say: Who has forbidden the adornment of Allaah which He has brought forth for His bondmen, and the good things of His providing? Say: Such, on the Day of Resurrection, will be only for those who believed during the life of the world. Thus do We detail Our revelations for people who have knowledge.” [Quran 7: 32]

As for his intellectual care, the Muslim takes care of his mind by perusing beneficial knowledge. He is responsible to seek knowledge whether it is religious or secular, so he may understand the nature and the essence of things. Allaah Says (what means): “…and say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” [Quran 20: 114]

The Muslim does not forget that man is not only composed of a body and a mind, but that he also possesses a soul and a spirit, and feels a longing for higher things that make him rise above this materialistic life and scale the heights of goodness, virtue and light.

Therefore, the Muslim pays as much attention to his spiritual development as to his physical and intellectual development, in a precisely balanced fashion which does not concentrate on one aspect to the detriment of others.

His attitude towards people :
With his parents, the Muslim is an example of sincere filial piety. He treats them with kindness and respect, infinite compassion, utter politeness and deep gratitude. He recognizes their status and knows his duties towards them. Allaah Says (what means): “And serve Allaah. Ascribe nothing as partner unto Him. (Show) kindness unto parents…” [Quran 4: 36]

With his wife, the Muslim exemplifies good and kind treatment, intelligent handling, deep understanding of the nature and psychology of women, and proper fulfillment of his responsibilities and duties.

With his children, the Muslim is a parent who understands his great responsibility towards them which is, as well as flooding them with love and compassion, to pay attention to anything that may influence their Islamic development and give them proper education, so that they become active and constructive elements in society, and a source of goodness for their parents, community, and society as a whole.

With his relatives, the Muslim maintains the ties of kinship and knows his duties towards them. He understands the high status given to relatives in Islam, which makes him keep in touch with them, no matter what the circumstances.

With his neighbors, the Muslim illustrates good treatment and consideration of others’ feelings and sensitivities. He puts up with mistreatment and turns a blind eye to his neighbor’s faults while taking care not to commit any such errors himself.

The Muslim relationship with his brothers and friends is the best and purest of relationships, for it is based on love for the sake of Allaah. He is loving, not cold towards them; he is loyal and does not betray them; he is sincere and does not cheat them; he is gentle and never harsh; he is tolerant and forgiving; he is generous and he supplicates for them (his brothers and friends).

In his social relationships with all people, the Muslim is well-mannered, civil and noble, characterized by the attitudes which Islam encourages.

The Muslim does not envy others. He fulfils his promises. He has the attitude of shyness. He is cheerful. He is not pushy. He is patient. He avoids slandering or uttering obscenities. He does not unjustly accuse others. He is shy and modest. He does not interfere in that which does not concern him. He refrains from gossiping, spreading slander and stirring up trouble. He avoids false speech and suspicion. When he is entrusted with a secret, he keeps it. He is modest and never arrogant. He does not make fun of anyone. He respects his elders. He mixes with the best of people. He strives to reconcile between the Muslims. He calls others to Islam with wisdom and beautiful preaching. He visits the sick and attends funerals. He returns favors and is grateful for them. He guides people to do good. He always likes to make things easy and not difficult.

The Muslim is fair in his judgements. He is not a hypocrite, a sycophant or a show-off. He does not boast about his deeds and achievements. He is straightforward and is never devious or twisted, no matter what the circumstances. He loves noble things and hates foolishness. He is generous and does not remind others of his gifts or favors. He is hospitable and does not complain when a guest comes to him. He prefers others to himself as much as possible. He relieves the burden of the debtor. He is proud and does not think of begging.

As being muslims our duties are...

I will summarize our duty in the following points:

 

First: Being proud of this religion. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.} [Quran 3: 139]

The era of hiding and feeling ashamed for belonging to Islam has ended and the era of frankness and declaration has started. It is painful and harmful that people who lived in the quagmire of vice and committed the utmost of prohibited sins have started to embrace the religion of Allaah The Almighty, whereas we observe that some Muslims want to bring misery to their nation and expose it to suffering.

Second: Seeking sound knowledge of the Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation). Having a clear and enlightening argument is the best means to boost one's morale. With Sharee‘ah knowledge, one discovers misguidance and deviation.

Third: Reviewing Western and Eastern writings about their own societies and what both of them call to now after they had tasted the bitterness of misery due to abandoning religion and giving a free hand to their desires.

Fourth: Directing our efforts with sincerity and determination to bring up our children. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah , said: "Each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for those under his guardianship." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]  

A sound upbringing is a shield for children against floundering in invalid behavior that the society is replete with, and it is their protection against the misleading thoughts that are spread in it.

Fifth: Knowing the secularists through their writings and sayings, warning people against their deception and misguidance, clarifying the extent of their danger on the Ummah (Muslim nation) and its religion and mentioning their experiments in Muslim countries which they may implement in any other country which has not yet been exposed to their secularism.

Sixth: Common people should gather around scholars, seekers of knowledge and callers to Allaah The Almighty and adopt their opinions and attitudes. They should distance themselves from the excitement and improvised situations that the righteous youths are dragged to so that whoever wishes to fish may fish in troubled waters. 

Suggestions

First: Girls' curricula should be based on a scientific Islamic view. We have spent a long time during which we did not manage to create educational curricula befitting that sex. Equality in curricula between men and women is a fault; this was mentioned earlier.

Second: Creating curricula in the Islamic culture that clarify the woman's rights in Islam, her duties and position as well as the deteriorated status of the woman in the East and West and refuting the malicious allegations of those who advocate emancipation. In the past, we were not in need of such measures and we feared the spread of such allegations. Now, however, we have been invaded by these allegations in our very homes. It is also incorrect to delay these curricula until the university stage.

Third: Woman's work must be addressed through comprehensive and wide-scoped studies prepared by experts and knowledgeable people in the fields of education from among those who are proud of their religion and acquainted with the Sharee'ah of their Lord.

Fourth: It is time, or rather it is overdue, for the project of a girls’ university to see the light; a project which puts an educational plan befitting this sex and steers us clear of contradicting opinions in the society through its universities. It is better for the Ummah to entrust responsibility in these universities to sincere highly-qualified persons from among men and women, and thereby the Ummah will distance itself from the evils of those who are evil.

Reason and subjective conditions to establish this kind of university is indisputable.

Fifth: Woman's work is not a pure administrative task; rather, it is related to her personality and role in society as well as how suitable a certain kind of work is for her. Therefore, this matter must be studied within the framework of Sharee‘ah as well as the Ummah's interest.

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate female hostesses/attendants, when the danger of their potential work is known in advance?

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate groups of females who are specialized in drama and theatrical arts? 

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate a large number of females in some specializations, such as decoration, agriculture and secretarial work?

I am not saying that the woman cannot understand these specializations or be good at them; rather, I mean that these are not the only criteria.

Sixth: The so-called feminine departments in some governmental administrations must be reconsidered. Is there any benefit in their existence? Are they governed by the Sharee‘ah regulations?

Seventh: To stop applying the credit hour system in educating girls as this negatively influences the woman. It is not necessary that everything which is applied to men is also applied to women.

Eighth: The woman’s employment system must be fairly addressed. It is not fair that the woman leaves her home at 6:30 am and returns at 3 pm. It is also not fair that she remains more than twelve hours in the school during the exams. What is the problem if the woman works only half the working hours specified for the man and receive half of his wages? In this way, we will have the capacity to employ twice the number of available workers or even more.  

What is the problem if there are long holidays for the woman after delivery in order to look after her newborn? Meanwhile, she should be rewarded for this as she is undertaking the most serious task in life.

What is the problem if there are economic criteria for woman's work? There are many houses where both the man and the woman work while there are other houses where neither men nor women work!

All these points and many others could be subject to dialogue and discussion, provided that we get rid of the complex of equality between man and woman in the employment system. This is also contingent on getting rid of the inferiority complex as well as regaining the feeling of our distinction relative to other peoples of the world. 

Trading of sincere muslims

There is no doubt that the reward of Allaah The Almighty is better and more lasting than any worldly benefit. Allaah, the Exalted, Says (what means): {But what is with Allaah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely.} [Quran 42: 36]

Indeed, one's good deeds are generously rewarded by Allaah The Almighty; He Says (what means): {And whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allaah. It is better and greater in reward.} [Quran 73:20]

Herein lies the great importance of seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty. What exactly do we mean by that?

There are various types and meanings of hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty, including:

Seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty when carrying out acts of obedience for His sake

If one recalls the great meaning of hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty while performing acts of obedience, this would ward off ill thoughts such as indulging in ostentation, seeking reputation and fame or the praise and attention of people, and other manifestations of grave diseases of the heart that render deeds worthless or reduce their rewards. Such a Muslim has restricted his main concern; conversely, the Muslim whose sole aim is to attain the satisfaction of Allaah The Exalted with these deeds and hopes for His reward will be rewarded generously. The Prophet said: "Whoever fasts Ramadhaan out of faith and hoping for reward from Allaah The Exalted will have his past sins forgiven for him."

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: "Whoever follows the funeral procession of a Muslim out of faith and hoping to attain the reward of Allaah and remains with it till the funeral prayer is offered and the burial ceremonies are over, will return with a reward of two Qirats; each of which is like the size of (the Mount) Uhud." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

In addition, the Muslim man is rewarded for providing for his family (although it is obligatory for the man to provide for his family, he will be rewarded for it as if he was offering this money for charity, if his intention is seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted). The Prophet said: "When the Muslim spends something on his family seeking a reward for it from Allaah, it is counted for him as charity." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

Do you see how many rewards one can gain by offering one's acts of obedience seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty?

Among the meanings of seeking the reward of Allaah The Almighty is hoping for His reward when afflicted with calamites and hardship

Allaah The Almighty has praised such pious people who endure calamites and hardship, seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted and has promised them His mercy, guidance and abundant rewards. Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allaah, and indeed to Him we will return." * Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:156-157]

Undeniably, people, whether believers or disbelievers, are afflicted by many calamites and adversities in this life; yet the believers endure them hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty. Indeed, both believers and disbelievers suffer from losing loved ones and relatives, yet there is a great difference between the believers and disbelievers in this regard, i.e. the believers hope for the reward of Allaah The Exalted by enduring such misfortunes and hardships patiently.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering, so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allaah that which they expect not. And Allaah is ever Knowing and Wise.} [Quran 3:104]

Regarding the compensation of those who endure calamites and hardships, hoping for the reward of Allaah The Almighty, the Prophet said: "Allaah The Exalted does not have a reward other than Paradise for the believing slave who remains patient for His sake when losing his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the world."

Furthermore, Umm Salamah said that she heard the Prophet saying: "There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allaah has enjoined, ‘Verily to Allaah we belong and to Him we shall return. O Allaah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with what is better’, but Allaah will compensate him with something better.”

Umm Salamah added that when Abu Salamah died, she said, “Who among the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah, the first household to migrate to join the Prophet ?” When she uttered these very words, Allaah The Almighty compensated her with marrying the Prophet . [Muslim]

Moreover, our righteous predecessors used to question all their deeds and intentions, renewing their good and sincere intentions and advising each other to endure calamites in the hope of reward from Allaah The Almighty.

Al-Faarooq ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab used to say, "O people, carry out your righteous deeds seeking the reward from Allaah The Exalted, for whoever does so will be rewarded for his good deeds and for his seeking the reward of Allaah The Exalted."

In addition, when the Banu Al-Haarith ibn ‘Aamir wanted to kill Khubayb ibn ‘Adiyy he did not care about his fate at their hands. Before his death, he said, "Why should I fear death when it will eventually seize me, and when what I truly fear is to become fuel for Hell fire? Hence, as long as I die as a believer in the cause of Allaah, it does not matter to me how it happens."

So, offer your acts of worship and obedience for the sake of Allaah The Almighty seeking reward from Him, and endure calamities and hardships, hoping for His reward; indeed, Allaah The Almighty will compensate you for that with inner tranquilly, serenity, and strength, Aim high and multiply your rewards.