Are you on a flat tire ? The character of a Muslim

‘Do you happen to know Adeenah?’ Aaliyah asked her friend, Amal. ‘Oh! You mean the nice, gentle girl who’s always smiling?’ 

Does that ring a bell? I’m sure it does. At some point in our lives, we’ve had to or heard someone being described as such. 

The big question now is, are we among that category of people? How close are we to being described as such?

The Rasuul (Sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) has said that a house is promised in the highest parts of Jannah for one who has good character (Abu Dawud), key word :highest!

 He (Sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) also said ‘The best among you are those who have the best of manners and character’ (Bukhari)

And again ‘There is nothing heavier on the scales of the hereafter than good character’ (At-Tirmidhi and Dawud)

Really, the importance of good character as Muslims cannot be overemphasized, especially as we know how instrumental it was in the early days of Islam. Our character as Muslims today is appalling, so much so that a revert once said he was happy he knew Islam before knowing Muslims, else only Allah knows what would have happened.

A bad attitude, they say, is like a flat tyre, you’re going nowhere till you change it.

“What are the qualities that constitute good character then?”, one might ask.

1. Kindness
(‘There is reward for kindness to every living thing’- Bukhari),

  You should show kindness first to the people close to you such as spouse, brother , sisters and other family members.

Then move out a little to the neighbours around you- send out a meal, do a community duty, return a lost pet , etc

Also, be kind to strangers you meet as one little act of kindness to someone you don't know might be a big deal to the person and the person would always remember you.
The person would be like " one day.......and a good Samaritan,someone I have never met, (may Allah reward him/her).

2 Buying gifts

This is one  act many of us fall short in. The Rasuul (Sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) said; ‘Give each other gifts and you will love one another’

Little things; fruits for mom, a mug or shirt for dad, a tie and pair of socks for uncle, hijab for aunts or sisters, Qur’an, Islamic books, pillows or frames with quotes on them, journals, stickers, fancy water bottle or flask, shoes, bags, clothing, etc. There are tons of things one can get with a little amount of money.

3. Smile

This one act that we know but pay little attention to. The prophet salaLahu alayhim wasalam said that to meet a brother with a smiling face is charity.

So put on a happy face now and keep it on when you meet others.

4. Visit the sick :

Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah."

The above hadith is self explanatory. The sick are vulnerable and they need presence of others as a source of hope.

In conclusion،
Naturally, everybody loves those who have good character. Be so good even those who don’t like you will have no choice but to testify to your awesome akhlaaq.

Go out of your way, out of your comfort zone and be nice to people, it only brings back goodness in return, it’s a sacrifice and it can be extremely daunting many times especially to people who are unkind to you.
Repay evil with good, we’re told in the Qur’an.

Of course underlying all these must be a sound and sincere intention to please Allah alone without show off.

It can be a herculean task, always ask for Allah’s aid, May He suffice for us all…
Aisha bint Muhammad
Human Medicine
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.