Good Behaviour in
Abnormal Situations

Islam advocates good behaviour in all situations regardless of whether others behave well to one or not.

According to a tradition, the Prophet of Islam once observed: “Do not become imma‘a, that is, do not say that if people treat you well, you will treat them well, and if they harm you, you will do worse to them. You should rather get into the habit of doing good to those who are good to you, and doing no wrong to those who harm you.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2007)

There is another tradition which says: “Join hand with those who break away from you, be good to those who harm you and forgive those who wrong you.” (Jami‘ al-Usul 9318)

Islam advocates a superior form of moral code which entails being consistently good in one’s behaviour in all situations, regardless of whether others behave well or not. Islamic ethics has nothing to do with reaction. It is based rather on high moral principles. Ethics in Islam is a form of worship. It is not a reactive human attitude.

The reward of worship is commensurate with the intensity of feeling accompanying it. For example, when someone experiences bad behaviour or evil on the part of others, yet is consistently well behaved and does not respond to evil behaviour with evil, his reward will increase. This is because he adhered to the principles of good behaviour even if it meant the hurting of his own sentiments.

In a normal situation, good behaviour is simply a matter of good manners but in an abnormal situation good behaviour becomes a form of superior worship. In a normal situation what is good behaviour or good manners does nothing towards the development of the human personality. But when in an abnormal situation one does not give in to the influence of the bad behaviour of others and continues to behave well, this course of action will further the development of one’s personality.

Good behaviour in response to bad behaviour without doubt exemplifies the greatest form of ethics.