Islam diligently focuses on the aspect of imbibing good manners, character, and virtues.
Additionally, it enjoins us to cultivate a temperament of rationality, hope, and optimism in all walks of life. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked people to make Islam beautiful with their graceful conduct and helping attitude.
A person once inquired the Prophet (PBUH) about Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) replied that Islam is the act of speaking kind words and feeding people. Later, when asked again about Islam, he told that Islam is also the act of being patient and forgiving.
In several of its verses, Quran asks people to inculcate good manners and refrain from all kinds of sinful and unjust deeds.
Read this to learn more about Good manners in Islam and its insistence on imbibing good virtues and character.
What is Virtue in Islam?
Virtue does not consist in whether you face the East or the West; virtue means believing in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets; the virtuous are those who, despite their love for it, give away their wealth to their relatives and to orphans and the very poor, and to travelers and those who ask for charity, and to set slaves free, and who attend to their prayers and pay the alms, and who keep their pledges when they make them, and show patience in hardship and adversity, and in times of distress. Such are the true believers, and such are the God-fearing. Al-Quran 2:177
Who are Righteous?
Verily Man is in loss, except such as have faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of truth, and of patience and constancy. Al-Quran 103:2-3
Don’t Conspire
O ye who believe! When ye hold secret counsel, do it not for iniquity and hostility, and disobedience to the Prophet; but do it for righteousness and self-restraint; and fear Allah, to Whom you shall be brought back. Al-Quran 58:9
Work Hard
Verily, with every difficulty there is a relief. Therefore, when thou art free, still labor hard. Al-Quran 94:7-8
Be Reasonable and Rational
It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves any goods that he makes a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the Allah-fearing. Al-Quran 2:180
Don’t be Arrogant & Boastful
Worship Allah ˹alone˺ and associate none with Him. And be kind to parents, relatives, orphans, the poor, near and distant neighbours, close friends, ˹needy˺ travellers, and those ˹bondspeople˺ in your possession. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful. Holy Quran 4:36
Have you ˹O Prophet˺ not seen those who ˹falsely˺ elevate themselves? It is Allah who elevates whoever He wills. And none will be wronged ˹even by the width of˺ the thread of a date stone. Holy Quran 4:49
Don’t Commit Injustice
Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds, and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without a doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. Holy Quran 29:45
Eschew all sin, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their “earnings.” Holy Quran 6:120
Good and Evil are not Equal
Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate! Al-Quran 41:34
Wrongdoers are Destructive Allies
This is how We make the wrongdoers ˹destructive˺ allies of one another because of their misdeeds. 6:129
Don’t Harbor Suspicion
O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it… But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Al-Quran 49:12
Dress Properly
O ye Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you. But the raiment of righteousness,- that is the best. Such are among the Signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition! Al-Quran 7:26
Act Wisely
Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. Al-Quran 16:125
Honor Kinship ties
Al-Quran 42:23 It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], “I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship.” And whoever commits a good deed – We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 541: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger said, “Whoever has wronged his brother, should ask for his pardon (before his death), as (in the Hereafter) there will be neither a Dinar nor a Dirham. (He should secure pardon in this life) before some of his good deeds are taken and paid to his brother, or, if he has done no good deeds, some of the bad deeds of his brother are taken to be loaded on him (in the Hereafter).
Read more| Kinship Ties in Islam
Conduct Affairs by Mutual Consultations
Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance; And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves. The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous. But indeed if anyone shows patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs. Al-Quran 42:38-43
Who is Best amongst People?
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 8, Book 73, No. 56: Narrated Masruq-‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr added, Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.”
Sunan Abi Dawud 4799 Narrated AbudDarda’: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4682 Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners.
Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1162 Abu Hurairah narrated that The Messenger of Allah said: “The most complete of the believers in faith, is the one with the best character among them. And the best of you are those who are best to your women.”
Mishkat al-Masabih 3263 ‘A’isha reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Among the believers who show most perfect faith are those who have the best disposition and are kindest to their families.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.
Prefer Good Company
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be in the company of those blessed by Allah: the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous—what honourable company! Holy Quran 4:69
Be Modest
Mishkat-ul Masabeeh 5813- Sahabas (r) reported that Prophet was a shy person. When he would see something unpleasant or shameful, we could sense the severe unease on his face.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4795 Abd Allah b. ‘Umar said: The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a man of the Ansar when he was giving his brother a warning against modesty. The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) said: Leave him alone, for modesty is a part of faith.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4797 Abu Mas`ud reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: One of the things people have learned from the words of the earliest prophecy is: If you have no shame, do what you like.
Be Gentle
Sunan Abi Dawud 4807 Abd Allah b. Mughaffal reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Allah is gentle, likes gentleness, and gives for gentleness what he does not give for harshness.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4809 Narrated Jarir: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who is deprived of gentleness is deprived of good.
Don’t Show-Off
Mishkat-ul Masabeeh 5331- If someone prays, fasts, or indulges in philanthropic activities and charity for the sake of show-off, then it’s akin to hypocrisy and blasphemy.
Criteria of Good or Bad
And who is better in faith than those who ˹fully˺ submit themselves to Allah, do good, and follow the Way of Abraham, the upright? Allah chose Abraham as a close friend. 4:125
Mishkat-ul Masabeeh 4988- Ibn Masood (r) reported that a person once asked Prophet (PBUH) how he can know whether he is a good or a bad person. Prophet replied- “When you hear your neighbor saying good about you, you are good and if says otherwise, you are bad.”
Be Thankful
Sunan Abi Dawud 4811 Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.
Help the Oppressed
Sahih Muslim- Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart- and that is the weakest form of faith.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4817 Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: the same occasion: Help the oppressed (sorrowful) and guide those who have lost their way.
Praise Allah
Sunan Abi Dawud 4840 Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Every important matter which is not begun by an expression of praise to Allah is maimed.
Have Good Intentions
Riyadh-al-saliheen Vol 1, Hadith 7- Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms but He looks at your hearts and your actions.
Copying others
Sahih Bukhari 73- Prophet (s) said- “Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom and he acts according to it and teaches it to others.”
Promote Good Traditions
Jami`at-Tirmidhi 2675 Narrated Ibn Jarir bin ‘Abdullah: from his father that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever starts a good tradition which is followed, then for him is a reward, and the likes of their rewards of whoever follows him, there being nothing diminished from their rewards. And whoever starts a bad tradition which is followed, then for him is the sin, and the likes of the sins of whoever follows him, there being nothing diminished from their sins.”
Feed Poor People
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12: A man asked the Prophet, “What sort of deeds or qualities of Islam are good?” The Prophet replied, ‘To feed (the poor) and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not Know.’
Greeting Others
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol 8, Book 74, Number 250: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The young should greet the old, the passer-by should greet the sitting one, and the small group of persons should greet the large group of persons.”
Also Read| How to Greet in Islam? Important Rules from Quran and Hadiths
Be Truthful
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 116-Allah’s Apostle 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 Fajur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al Fajur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 83: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.”
Overcome Anger
- Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 135: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The strong is not the one who overcomes the people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.”
- Sunan Abi Dawud 4779 Abd Allah (b. Mas`ud) reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Whom do you consider a wrestler among you? The people replied: (the man) whom the men cannot defeat in wrestling. He said: No, it is he who controls himself when he is angry.
Feed Poor, Visit Sick, and Free Slaves
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 7, Book 65, Number 286, Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: The Prophet said, “Give food to the hungry, pay a visit to the sick and release (set free) the one in captivity (by paying his ransom).”
Read more| Get Well Soon Message for Covid Patients
Gender Roles
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 7, Book 72, Number 773, Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: Allah’s Apostle cursed those men who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of women and those women who are in the similitude (assume the manners) of men.
Obey Prophet (PBUH)
O believers! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Should you disagree on anything, then refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you ˹truly˺ believe in Allah and the Last Day. This is the best and fairest resolution. 4:59
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 8, Book 73, Number 10: Narrated Abu Sufyan: That Emperor Heraclius sent for me and asked, “What did the Prophet order you to do?” I replied, “He orders us to offer prayers; to give alms; to be chaste, and to keep good relations with our relatives.“
Respect Neighbours
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 8, Book 73, Number 43, Narrated Aisha: The Prophet said, “Gabriel continued to recommend me to treat the neighbors in a kind and polite manner, so much so that I thought that he would order me to make them (my) heirs.”
Gathering Rules
Sahih al-Bukhari Vol 8, Book 74, Number 286, The Prophet said, “A man should not make another man get up from his (the latter’s) seat (in a gathering) in order to sit there.”
Sunan Abi Dawud 4851 Abd Allah (b. Mas`ud) reported the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Two persons should not talk privately ignoring the third, for that will grieve him.
Sunan Abi Dawud 4844 Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: One should not sit between two men except with their permission.
Vowing is Forbidden
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 77, Hadith 605: Narrated Ibn Umar: The Prophet forbade vowing and said, “In fact, vowing does not prevent anything, but it makes a miser to spend his property.”
Don’t Quarrel
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 89, Hadith 298, Narrated `Aisha: Allah’s Messenger (s) said, “The most hated person in the sight of Allah, is the most quarrelsome person.“
Don’t Wish for Death
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 90, Hadith 341, Narrated Saad bin Ubaid: (the Maula of `Abdur-Rahman bin Azhar) Allah’s Messenger (s) said, “None of you should long for death, for if he is a good man, he may increase his good deeds, and if he is an evil-doer, he may stop the evil deeds and repent.”
Be Trustworthy
Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 91, Hadith 361: Narrated Anas – The Prophet (PBUH) said, “For every nation, there is an Amin (honest, trustworthy person), and the Amin of this nation is Abu ‘Ubaida.“
Say Good
Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 92, Hadith 382, Narrated `Abdullah: The best talk (speech) is Allah’s Book ‘Qur’an), and the best way is the way of Muhammad, and the worst matters are the heresies (those new things which are introduced into the religion); and whatever you have been promised will surely come to pass, and you cannot escape (it).
Pay Your Debts
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 41, Number 578, Narrated Abu Huraira, “The Prophet owed a camel of a certain age to a man who came to demand it back. The Prophet ordered his companions to give him. They looked for a camel of the same age but found nothing but a camel one year older. The Prophet told them to give it to him. The man said, “You have paid me in full, and may Allah pay you in full.” The Prophet said, “The best amongst you is he who pays his debts in the most handsome manner.“
What Allah has Forbidden?
Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 41, Number 591, Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba: The Prophet said, “Allah has forbidden for you-
- To be undutiful to your mothers,
- To bury your daughters alive,
- To not to pay for the rights of the others (e.g. charity, etc.) and
- To beg of men (begging).
And Allah has hated for you-
- Vain, useless talk, or that you talk too much about others,
- To ask too many questions, (in disputed religious matters), and
- To waste the wealth by extravagance.”
Guardianship and Responsibility
Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 41, Number 592, I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “Everyone of you is a guardian, and responsible for what is in his custody. The ruler is a guardian of his subjects and responsible for them; a husband is a guardian of his family and is responsible for it; a lady is a guardian of her husband’s house and is responsible for it, and a servant is a guardian of his master’s property and is responsible for it.” I heard that from Allah’s Apostle and I think that the Prophet also said, “A man is a guardian of his father’s property and is responsible for it, so all of you are guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care.”
Don’t Cheat in Business
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 41, Number 597, Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: A man was often cheated in buying. The Prophet said to him, “When you buy something, say (to the seller), No cheating.” The man used to say so thenceforward.
Look after Poor and Widow
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 64, Number 265: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah’s Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day.”
Spend on Family
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 64, Number 263: Narrated Abu Mas’ud Al-Ansari: The Prophet said, “When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah’s re- ward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him.”
Treat Animals with Kindness
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 673: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “While a dog was going round a well and was about to die of thirst, an Israeli prostitute saw it and took off her shoe and watered it. So Allah forgave her because of that good deed.”
Don’t Criticize the Food
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 764: Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet never criticized any food (presented to him), but he would eat it if he liked it; otherwise, he would leave it (without expressing his dislike).
Read more| Islamic Dietary Laws: Rules and Etiquettes of Dining
Speak Clearly
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 768: Narrated ‘Aisha: The Prophet used to talk so clearly that if somebody wanted to count the number of his words, he could do so. Narrated Urwa bin Az-Zubair: ‘Aisha said (to me), “Don’t you wonder at Abu so-and-so who came and sat by my dwelling and started relating the traditions of Allah’s Apostle intending to let me hear that, while I was performing an optional prayer. He left before I finished my optional prayer. Had I found him still there. I would have said to him, ‘Allah’s Apostle never talked so quickly and vaguely as you do.”
Refrain from Doubtful Matters
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 34, Number 267: Narrated An-Nu’man bin Bashir: The Prophet said “Both legal and illegal things are obvious, and in between them are (suspicious) doubtful matters. So whoever forsakes those doubtful things lest he may commit a sin, will definitely avoid what is clearly illegal; and whoever indulges in these (suspicious) doubtful things bravely, is likely to commit what is clearly illegal. Sins are Allah’s Hima (i.e. private pasture) and whoever pastures (his sheep) near it, is likely to get in it at any moment.”
Don’t Innovate in Religion
Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 9, Book 92, Hadith 382, Narrated `Abdullah: The best talk (speech) is Allah’s Book ‘Qur’an), and the best way is the way of Muhammad, and the worst matters are the heresies (those new things which are introduced into the religion); and whatever you have been promised will surely come to pass, and you cannot escape (it).
Don’t be Miserly or Extravagant
Those who are stingy, promote stinginess among people, and withhold Allah’s bounties. We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. 4:37
Likewise for those who spend their wealth to show off and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. And whoever takes Satan as an associate—what an evil associate they have! 4:38
Travel in Groups
O believers! Take your precautions and go forth either in groups or together. 4:71
Don’t be Devil’s Advocate
Indeed, We have sent down the Book to you ˹O Prophet˺ in truth to judge between people by means of what Allah has shown you. So do not be an advocate for the deceitful. 4:105
Do not advocate for those who wrong themselves.1 Surely Allah does not like those who are deceitful, sinful. 4:107
Don’t make False Accusations
And whoever commits an evil or sinful deed then blames it on an innocent person, they will definitely bear the guilt of slander and blatant sin. 4:112
