In Islam, there is a strong connection between faith and character, and deficiency in conduct may be an indication of weak faith. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "Among the best of the believers in faith are the best of them in conduct, and the kindest to their families." (Related by Al-Tirmidhi). Hence, as Muslims strive to spread the message of Islam, displaying model Islamic character is essential for the success of da'wah. Indeed, a grievous error to avoid is to let one's actions contradict the values he/she espouses.
So, when someone is described as possessing good character, what does this statement mean? Most people will refer to a person who meets others with a happy and smiling face; whose speech is refined and is of gentle disposition The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, has reckoned good character to be part of charity. Adiyy Ibn Hatim, radhiallahu anhu, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "Protect yourselves from Hellfire even if with part of a piece of dates. But whoever cannot find it should do so with a kind word." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). In another Hadith, Abu Hurairah, radhiallahu anhu, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "A good word serves as charity." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Another Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, radhiallahu anhu, records that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "Do not belittle any part of good deeds even if it is meeting your brother (Muslim) with a cheerful face." (Related by Muslim).
The significance of good character in bringing people's hearts together and in keeping their countenance at ease is obvious. Good character is particularly important in bringing to the forefront the beautiful qualities of our religion in non-Muslim societies.
The seerah (biography) of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, reports the stories of many staunch enemies of Islam, who later embraced the religion as a result of the model character of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, and his companions, radhiallahu anhum.
Anas Ibn Malik, radhiallahu anhu, narrated: "I was walking with the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, while he was wearing a Najrani cloak, (i e, from a city in the Arabian Peninsula), which had coarse fringes. Then, a Bedouin came up to the Prophet and pulled him very strongly with the cloak. I looked at the shoulder of the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, with the mark of the cloak visible on his neck due to the violence of the tug.' The Bedouin said, 'O Muhammad! Give an order that something of Allah's wealth that you have given to me.' Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, looked at him and laughed, then he gave an order that the man be given (something)." (Related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Adherence to the religion of Islam is not merely performing prescribed acts of worship that are void of proper application, and in effect, do not leave any mark on the soul. A'ishah, radhiallahu anha, narrated, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, saying: 'The believer through his good character attains the reward of a person who fasts and observes qiyam, i e, spends the night awake in prayer and supplication.'" (Related by Abu Dawud).
Jabir Ibn Abdullah, radhiallahu anhu, narrated that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said: "The most beloved of you and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in conduct. Surely, the most unbecoming of you to me on the Day of Resurrection are the talkative, the boastful, and the mutafayhiqun' The Companions asked, 'We know the talkative and the boastful, who are the mutafayhiqun?' The Messenger of Allah replied, 'The arrogant.'" (Related by Al-Tirmidhi). Indeed, Islam becomes vibrant and alive only through the correct application of its teachings.
Muslims should remember that they are representing Islam wherever they go. So, they should not attribute to the religion anything that is not part of it. All their actions must be guided by Islamic teachings in such a way that their senses operate within the context of performing what Islam has made lawful and desisting from what it has forbidden. When A'ishah was asked about the character of the Prophet, she replied, "His conduct was the Qur'an." What does this answer mean? It means that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, submitted wholeheartedly to the directives of Allah as contained in the Qur'an under all circumstances.
Therefore, as Muslims reside in the midst of non-Muslims, their practical application of Islamic teachings is more significant than hundreds of preachers calling to Isalm with their speech.
source : members.cox.net
