Five Practices With Which to Adorn Your Character for the Sake of Allah 1.Be truthful. Allah tells us in this week’s central ayah that a beautiful reward is awaiting us for our good manners. Feel it: Speaking the truth is not always easy, especially if it can get you into trouble. But think about this: you’ll feel much better after you’ve told the truth— even if the consequence is blame or punishment— because you did something for the sake of Allah. Motivate yourself: The Prophet said: Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. And a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to al-fujur [wickedness, evil-doing], and al-fujur leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar. [Al-Bukharee] 2.Keep your promises. You’re defined by your actions, not your words. Feel it: We don’t really intend to break promises, yet so many things we promise are not happening. Especially with loved ones we tend to just say things and never do them, because ‘they are family anyway.’ For example promising to help your little sister with her homework. These little things all count in the sight of Allah, so ask yourself this: am I trying hard enough to keep every promise I make to anyone? Motivate yourself: Allah says: Oh you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do. [Quran, 61:2-3]. 3. Be trustworthy. Scenario: Your friend tells you about a personal problem and asks you not to tell anyone. You meet with another friend and it just all comes out. Feel it: Are you considered trustworthy? When we say Allah is the most trustworthy, we realize that He will never let us down, will never leave our sides. Motivate yourself: The Prophets of Allah were all trustworthy people and Allah declared the trustworthiness of those who were doubted by there people, for example Prophet Hud: I but fulfill towards you the duties of my Lord’s mission: I am to you a sincere and trustworthy adviser. [Quran, 7:68] Learn from the prophets and practice daily developing the habit of being trustworthy, not just in some situations. Accept responsibility and then fulfill it. When others trust you, do not betray their trust. 4.Be a sincere adviser. Do you know you can gain Paradise by the mercy of Allah by helping two people resolve their differences? Feel it: It’s so easy to just fire up an argument between two people by joining in and saying bad things about the other. But is this honorable? No! One of the best manners is to advice people sincerely and help them to get back together. Motivate yourself: Allah says: The believers are but a brotherhood. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and have Taqwa of Allah so that you may receive mercy. [Quran, 49:10] 5. Give with a clean heart. One day you’re walking on the street and you’re stopped by a homeless person asking you for money for food. You either ignore him or her completely and think this person is not “real” or that they won’t really buy food. You might even wonder why this person doesn’t even have a job like the rest of us. Feel it: Does thinking like this make you feel better? Wouldn’t it feel better to just give something for the sake of Allah and maybe ask him or her to buy food with it? Or buy something to eat and just give this? Motivate yourself: The lesson is here to never turn away a person who asks your help—this was the character of our beloved Prophet! A Special Trait One of the beautiful traits of a Muslim is bravery. When it comes to watching the scariest movies, doing the most extreme sports etc. we are being brave! But what about being brave for our deen? Anas ibn Malik said: The Prophet was the best of the people, and he was the most generous of the people, and the bravest of the people. [Al-Bukharee, Muslim] His courage can be seen in the way he told the Quraysh about Islam, how he was on the battlefield in the cause of Allah. You and me are all in need of some level of courage in order to establish our deen in our daily lives! So here’s a special dua the Prophet made: اَللّهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعِجْزِ ، وَالْكَسْلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ ، وَالْهَرَمِ ، وَالْبُخْلِ ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَأَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ O Allah, I seek refuge in You from weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, anxiety and sorrow, and I seek refuge in You from the torments of grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trials and tribulations of life and death. (Al-Bukharee, Muslim] Homework: Two duas for good manners Dua for good manners: The Prophet used to say: ‘Oh Allah, I ask you for good health, chastity, trustworthiness, good manners and to be content with destiny.’ [Al-Bukharee] Dua to seek protection from bad manners: The Prophet used to supplicate: ‘Oh Allah! I seek refuge in You from reprehensible manners, deeds and whims.’ [At-Tirmidhee] Praying you will benefit. Khawlah bint Yahya
Posted on: Sun, 21 Jul 2013 12:56:23 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015