Yasir Qadhi

In Episode 3 on 'The Manners of the Believer', I discuss the importance of always speaking the truth (ṣidq). The Prophet (SAW) said, "I command you to speak the truth, for speaking the truth leads to piety, and piety leads to Paradise..."Notice how the key to piety is to be honest and factual in all that we say. Some matters are more sacred than others, hence we need to be even more careful (such as speaking about the religion; or swearing by Allah...). And there are some some exceptions to this rule (such as words of love said between family, where exaggeration is in fact encouraged).The general rule, though, is that we should be as factual and honest as possible, and we learn from the story of Ka'b b. Mālik that even if being truthful might be painful, in the long run, it will always be better for us.

In Part 2 of our Ramaḍān Series on 'The Manners of the Believer', I discuss the defining characteristic of the worshippers of Allah: humility. Allah says in the Quran: "The true servants of the Most Compassionate are those who walk on the earth humbly..." [Furqān: 63]. And we are told that a person who has even an atom's weight of arrogance in his heart shall never enter Paradise. A sign of humility is to recognize the truth and submit to it - and this can be tested with one's own ego. If you know you have done a wrong to someone or committed a mistake, yet you still find it difficult to ask him for forgiveness or admit your mistake, this is a clear sign that humility is lacking. A Divine gift that is bestowed to those who are truly humble is that of acceptance and respect: if a person genuinely has humility in his heart, Allah blesses that person's reputation and he actually becomes beloved to the people. It is as our Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever humbles himself for Allah shall be raised up by Allah" [Aḥmad].

My Ramaḍān series has begun alḥmadulillah! This year, I will be doing a series entitled, "The Manners of the Believer," and the goal will be to educate ourselves regarding the noble akhlāq that believers should embody. In today's introductory lecture (see link in comment below), I discuss the meaning of 'akhlāq', the types of manners, some blessings of perfecting manners, and then dive into the subject of whether one's manners are inherent from birth, or acquired. We learn that while indeed all of us are inherently born with and predisposed to certain characteristics, that is not an excuse for us to retain status quo. We are all obliged to better ourselves, and Allah in His Infinite Wisdom will reward each one according to his or her own struggles. How does one better a mannerism that he or she might not have? Four points: Knowledge of its blessings and reality (like Luqmān taught his son) Having a role-model to see this manner implemented (and the best role model is the Prophet SAW)Learning through one's own trials and experienceMaking du'a to Allah to be blessed with good manners (as is the Sunnah).