The word Akhlaq

The word Akhlaq is the plural for the word Khulq which means disposition. "Disposition" is that faculty (Malakah) of the soul (Nafs) which is the source of all those activities that man performs spontaneously without thinking about them. Malakah is a property of the soul which comes into existence through exercise and repetitive practice and is not easily destroyed. A particular disposition (Malakah) may appear in human beings because of one of the following reasons: Note: The dictionary meaning of disposition is one's usual mood or temperament. Disposition could be a tendency or a habitual inclination like: "a disposition or argue." 1. Natural and physical make-up (Fitrah): It is observed that some people are patient while others are touchy and nervous. Some are easily disturbed and saddened while others show greater resistance and resilience. 2. Habit: This is formed because of continual repetition of certain acts and leads to the emergence of a certain disposition. 3. Practice and conscious effort: Which if persistent will eventually produce a disposition. Even though the physical make-up of an individual produces certain dispositions in him, it is by no means true that man has no choice in the matter and is absolutely compelled to abide by the dictates of his physical make-up. On the contrary, since man has the power to choose, he can overcome the dictates of his physical nature through practice and effort, and can acquire the disposition of his choice. Of course, it should be admitted that those dispositions which are caused by the mental faculties such as intelligence, memory, mental agility and the like, are not alterable. All other dispositions, however, may be changed according to man's will. Man can control his lust, anger and other emotions and desires, and channel them to edify himself and propel himself along the path of perfection and wisdom. It is of great importance to be mindful that Akhlaq forms an important component of our religion Islam and our Imaan (faith). Allah (SWT) speaks about the importance of good character in the Noble Qur'an where HE says: 1. And say to My servants (that) they speak that which is best. (17:53) 2. Worship Allah, and do not associate partners with him. And be good to your parents, and the relatives, and to the orphans, and to the poor people, and the neighbor that is close to you and the neighbor that is not close to you, and your companion on the journey. (4:36) 3. Allah (SWT) speaks about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as, "And most certainly you are on sublime morality (exalted standard of character)." (68:4) Many Ahadith can be quoted concerning good character. The following are some of what the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: 01. I have been sent is to perfect good manners. 02. There is not anything that will be placed on the scale weightier than good Akhlaq, and, certainly, the one who has good Akhlaq reaches by it the rank of one who continuously observes Saum (Fasts) and performs abundant (Nafl) Salah. 03. The dearest of you to me is he who is the best of you in Akhlaq. 04. Fear Allah (SWT) wherever you are, follow up an evil deed with a good deed, and meet with the people, interact with the people, with good Akhlaq. 05. The most complete of believers in Imaan (faith) are those who are best in character. 06. The most (important) things that cause people to reach Heaven are divine piety and a good temper. 07. Verily, a servant can gain the rank of him who both fasts during the day and keeps vigil at night, keeping up prayers, through his good disposition. 08. Imam Ali (as) said to his son, Imam Hassan (as): O' my son! No wealth is more valuable than intelligence and no poverty is similar to ignorance; no terror is worse than arrogance, and no life is more pleasant than being good tempered. 09. Imam Ali (as) says, Good behavior lies in three traits: Avoiding unlawful things, acquiring the lawful ones, and being fair to one's family members. 10. Imam Hassan (as) says: The most preferable adornment is graceful manners. 11. Imam Hassan (as) says: Verily, the best of bests is a good temper. 12. Imam Ali ibn Husayn (as) said: Fair speech increases wealth, stretches sustenance, postpones death, creates love among family members, and causes the person to enter Heaven. 13. Imam Sadiq (as) said: There are three things that each of which is brought by a person to Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will necessitate Heaven for the one: donation in poverty, a good temper with all people, and justice to one's self. Do you know, what is religion? Once a man came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and said: O messenger of Allah, what is religion? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct. Then he came to his front and asked: O Messenger of Allah, what is religion? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct. Then he came to his left side and asked: what is religion? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct. Then he came to his back side and asked the same question: what is religion? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Good Conduct. Then Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said looking at him: Not to be angry is Good Conduct. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked: What is misfortune? The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied: Bad Conduct. Sadly we often hear Muslims saying that, "We Muslims have the worst character." With the beautiful example of our dear Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in front of us, we should be showing and teaching people what good character is. If we live and act with good character we will benefit in numerous ways and our lives will also serve to be an invitation to the deen (religion) of Islam. May Allah (SWT) make it possible for us to practice upon the beautiful teachings in the Noble Qur'an the perfect example of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Ameen

How Morals (Aklaq) will save us in the Hereafter?

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The best believer is one with the best temper. The best person is one who is best for the people and the most useful person is one who is most useful for the people." It is narrated from Imam Sadiq (as) that when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) got the news of the death of Saad bin Maaz Ansari, he proceeded along with the companions to join the funeral procession. He stood near Saad bin Maaz Ansari while he was given the ritual final bath. When the bath was over, he accompanied the bier without footwear and bare-head as is the custom of the mourners. He sometimes carried the bier on his right shoulder and at other on his left. On reaching the graveside, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself descended into the pit and with his own hands lowered Saad bin Maaz Ansari into the grave. Then he arranged the bricks in the grave and put soil to fill the grave. While putting soil into the grave the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Saad's mortal remains will get lost in the soil but Allah (SWT) likes that the deeds one does are good and durable!" When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was giving the last touches to the grave of Saad, the dead companion's mother cried, 'O Saad! Greetings on your achieving the Heaven!' The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, 'O mother of Saad! Keep quiet! At the moment Saad is undergoing the pressures (Fishaar) of the grave!' When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) returned from the grave yard, the companions asked him, 'O messenger of Allah! The way you have attended Saad's funeral, we have not seen you do any time in the past. You went bare-footed. You kept your head uncovered.' The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'I saw the angels do likewise and I followed suit.' The companions asked, 'Sometimes you carried the bier on your right shoulder and at others on the left?' The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'I was with Jibreel (Gabriel), whichever side he went, I went the same way!' The companions asked, 'You have yourself given bath to Saad, led the funeral prayer, lowered him into the grave and in the end said that he was undergoing the Fishaar of the grave!' The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) replied, 'Saad was undergoing the Fishaar because he used to treat the people of his house and friends with ill-temper.'