Lecture 4: Muslim Personality

“And worship God [alone], and do not ascribe divinity, in any way, to aught beside Him. And do good
unto your parents, and near of kin, and unto orphans, and the needy, and the neighbour from among
your own people, and the neighbour who is a stranger, and the friend by your side, and the wayfarer,
and those whom you rightfully possess. Verily, God does not love any of those who, full of self-conceit,
act in a boastful manner. (Q 4:36)

Monks at Night and Knights by Day

In the decisive battles against the Romans during the time of Caliph Umar (RA), the Muslim
soldiers, although always outnumbered by the enemy, proved mysteriously indomitable and
strong-willed opponents. The Roman commanders were baffled as to how could the once
barbaric and irregular desert army display such vigour and chivalry against a battle hardened
regular Roman army. They sent some informers to see how the Muslim soldiers spend their time,
especially at night. As wining and womanising were the common practices of the conquering
army, the generals were perplexed and frightened to hear that Muslims were like ‘monks at
night and knights by day’.

Such was the characteristics of the first generation of Muslims who, within a few decades
conquered the land beyond Arabia and brought out an extraordinary social revolution in the
history of mankind. They made the mountains move, rivers give way in their search for human
liberation and, above all, human hearts surrender to one Allah. They were the first “Qur’anic
generation”, as Syed Qutub of Egypt put it. They were the people despised by the then two
super powers, the Persians in the east and the Romans in the west, to the extent that neither of
them even felt like to take them over.

A Unique World

They created a world where a young woman could travel alone between the two distant places
of Arabia without any fear for her chastity. They were the people who offered their last sip of
water to their fellow Muslim brothers who they thought were more needful. They created a
society where sinners, smallest in number a society can think of, rushed to the prophet to be
punished in the world rather than suffering from fire in the hereafter. They are the pride for
mankind and the role models for Muslims till the day of judgement. Allah, the Exalted, lovingly
mentions about them, “Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him”. (al-Qur’an
9:100)

Sacrifice for the Humanity

They were the people who deserved this glad tiding from Allah, not because they were the
‘chosen’ people, but they earned it through their sweat and blood, firm belief and action, loyalty
to Allah and His messenger (pbuh), passion for Akhirah and maximisation of the worldly tools.
They made a conscious decision to serve humanity in their physical and spiritual need. They
preferred to die for others, rather than to live for their own selves. They were the people who
challenged the existing order of the Quraish aristocracy, Arab arrogance and super-power
haughtiness of the Persians and the Romans. When success kissed their feet in their missions
they used to prostrate before their Lord, as their success was not for their narrow self-interest
but for humanity, and above all for the pleasure of Allah.

Love and Compassion

Their features and characteristics are mentioned in many verses of the Qur’an. (al-Qur’an 48:29)
Like compassionate physicians they lovingly cured the diseases of human souls, showing no
sympathy for the disease itself. The contrasting nature of their character created in them a
consummate personality that pulled everyone towards them except those who were bent on
evil. Their glowing face and appearance displayed their tranquil heart and spiritual fulfilment.

Knowledge and Conviction

The Muslim personality is rooted in knowledge and conviction - the knowledge that elevated
human being to a status higher than other creatures, including angels, knowledge about the
world, the creation, about himself, his surroundings. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has
emphasised so much on knowledge that one wonders how a Muslim could be so stooped in
ignorance as we are today. Knowledge widens horizon, gives conviction and creates tranquillity
in mind. Conviction moves forward a man for action, gives steadfastness, patience,
perseverance, dedication and consistent commitment in life.

All-Embracing Quality

The Muslim personality thus has an inner reservoir of strength emanated from Allah’s treasure
and it has its external manifestations. It is like a strong big tree that has a strong root in the soil
and wide branches spread in the sky. Muslims are the people who watch each moment of their
life and ask themselves whether they are using their time meaningfully. They utilise their time in
self-assured and confident manner to enjoin good and forbid evils. They use their eyes, ears and
other senses to observe, learn and educate themselves every moment of the day. They use their
knowledge and develop their skills to make sound judgements, honour truth and do justice to all,
including themselves. They harness the material and spiritual benefits from each moment’s
existence through consciousness and feeling of gratitude to the Kind and Merciful Creator.

Muslims are ever vigilant of what is happening around them and the wider world. They read the
signs of Allah in nature and learn by looking closely at the technological development of the
world and its impact on human life. Muslims are not only fully aware of modern man’s latest
gadgets, such as internet, mobile telephones and other high-tech tools, but can effectively
utilise them for the benefit of mankind. The hall mark of Muslim personality today is to shape
their life in the image of the companions of Prophet (pbuh), rather than to pander to the whims
and fancies of people engrossed in Jahiliyah.

A Distinct Attitude

A Muslim thus has a distinct attitude toward life. This dictates his moral character and external
manners. His personality shines through his look and behaviour. In fact, they become imbedded
in his nature. Everything he does has characteristic features of an emissary of Allah on earth. As
he is conscious of his assignment in the world he illuminates himself with the light of virtue and
good manners. The prophet’s emphatic call upon Muslims to attain and exercise good manners
is a weighty one. Here are some of the examples of what he said on this;

Usama bin Shareek narrates : We were sitting in the presence of Allah’s messenger so
quietly as if birds were perched on our heads. Nobody had the courage to open his
mouth. In the meanwhile a person came and asked the prophet, “among Allah’s slaves
who is the dearest to Him?” The prophet replied; “One who has the best moral
character”. (Ibn Habban)

The prophet was asked, “which Muslim has the perfect faith”? He answered, “he who
has the best moral character”. (Tirmidhi)

Abdullah ibn Amr narrates : I have heard the prophet saying, “should I not tell you who
among you is the most likeable person to me and who will be the nearest to me on the
Day of the Judgement”? He repeated this question two or three times. The people
requested him to tell them about that person. He said, “he who among you has the best
moral character”. (Ahmad)

The Prophet has said, “I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting good morals”.
(al-Muatta)

The Prophet has also mentioned, “my Lord has taught me good manners and He has
mannered me well”. (al-Sam’ani)

Best Training with best Trainer

Building a Muslim personality needs constant and conscious training and practice. It is not
merely a collection of do’s and don’ts. Effective training requires competent trainers with
excellent qualities on whom people can put their trust and confidence in. A trainer possessing
exemplary character can infuse emotional attachment to the learning process. Who else other
than the Prophet himself possesses this perfect character? The Prophet is the perfect example,
the role model, of the good moral character to be emulated till the end of the Day. Allah, the
Merciful Himself, has testified his perfect character in the Qur’an. (al-Qur’an 33:21, 9:129)
Abdullah ibn Amr says : The messenger of Allah was neither ill-mannered nor rude. He
used to say that the best among you are those who are best in their moral character.
(Bukhari)

Rights of Allah and Creation

Religion is a contract between a servant and his Creator. In Islam this contract entails two types
of relationship - one between man and Allah, and the other, between man and the creation.
This relationship has the essential rights and responsibilities. A Muslim life is essentially a life of
continuous effort, struggle, to implement Allah’s divine will on earth. A servant’s success or
failure depends on effective dissemination of that will. He only makes effort to the best he can.
Whether he succeeds or fails in the world is immaterial to him. His ultimate gain lies in the
Hereafter. That does not mean that he carries his job with lethargy and inefficiency.
The Present Challenge

Muslims in the West have probably little chance in the near future to see Islam shaping the life
of the western society. Given the extent of Jahiliyah in the western psyche and the weaknesses
of the Muslim community it is a near impossible, an arduous and mountainous, job. However, if
the Muslim parents become cautious of their present obligations to their children and can focus
on a challenging future, there is definitely hope in the new generation of Muslim youth.

But, time is running fast. The Muslims are now running a great risk of being ghettoised or
assimilated in the melting pot of a universal neo-Jahiliyah. Here comes the crucial role of the
Muslim parents who simply can not afford to ignore their obligation toward their sons and
daughters. To a Muslim every moment is a gift from Allah and as such a test. The Prophet has
mentioned, “He whose two days are equal is a sure loser”. (Sunan Daylami)

MUSLIM

A Muslim guest speaker was once giving an introduction on Islam to some non-Muslims. Knowing the
background of the audience, he devised a simple acronym that clarifies some of the features of a Muslim.
As he wrote the following in the flipchart

M for Moulding life in the colour of Allah

U for Understanding the world and of Islam
S for Surrendering to Allah
L for Link with Allah
I for Integrity of character
M for Motivation to work for humanity

one woman hesitantly asked him, ‘but, are they found in the present day Muslim?’. The speaker was taken
aback and, with a pause, answered, ‘that is why we are in this mess today.’

Questions:

1. What were the characteristics of the first generations of Muslims who brought out an
extraordinary social revolution in the history of mankind?
2. What made the world created by the first generations of muslims different from the world
today?
3. What can we learn from those muslims in order for us to achieve success in this world and in
the hereafter?
4. How did those muslims show love and compassion?
5. Discuss what gives human beings a higher status compared to other creatures including
angels.
6. What two factors strengthen a muslim?
7. What should be the habits of a muslim?
8. Why is it important for muslims to be always vigilant of what is happening around them and
the wider world?
9. How do we train ourselves to build a muslim personality?
10. Who are the best muslims?
11. On what relies a human being's success or failure to implement Allah's divine will?
12. Give 2 reasons why it is a near impossible task to see Islam shaping the life of the western
society.