Morality is an inner quality of a person. Its effect shows in outward speech, manners, conversation, dealings and, above all, in the whole of daily life. Its Arabic word is akhlaq. The famous Arabic linguist Allama Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani defined it as "a disposition of the heart that shows itself spontaneously, without any deliberation, through outward behaviour. If the actions are good, it is counted as good character; if they are bad, it is counted as bad character." (At-Tarifat, page 101)
The measure of morality
The essence of morality is described in countless verses of the Holy Quran. Allah says: "Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct and giving to relatives, and forbids indecency, wrongdoing and transgression. He admonishes you so that you may take heed." (Surah An-Nahl, verse 90)
The Prophet's character
The Prophet (PBUH) embodied every quality of good character, and those who knew him were charmed by all his virtues. A long hadith narrated from Saad bin Hisham says he asked Aisha, the Mother of the Believers: "O Mother of the Believers, tell me something about the character of the Prophet (PBUH)." Aisha said: "Have you not read the Holy Quran?" He said: "Yes, I have." Aisha said: "The character of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was the Quran." (Muslim, hadith 746)
The path to Paradise
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked what most leads people into Paradise. He said: "Fear of Allah and good character." He was then asked what most leads people into Hell. He said: "The mouth and the private parts." (Tirmidhi, hadith 2004)
Avoiding the ignorant
Allah told the Prophet (PBUH) to turn away from the pointless questions of the ignorant in society. Allah says: "Take to forgiveness, enjoin what is good and turn away from the ignorant." (Surah Al-Araf, verse 199)
Shunning wrongdoing
The Prophet (PBUH) ordered his followers to shun every kind of immorality and sin. Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) told him: "Fear Allah wherever you are. If you do a bad deed, follow it with a good one, and it will wipe it out. And treat people with good manners." (Tirmidhi, hadith 1987)
Allah looks at deeds
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Allah does not look at your bodies or your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds." (Muslim, hadith 2564)
Source: Bangladesh Pratidin. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.
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