A BETTER PERSON
Expected Behaviour

ABU HURAIRA, a Companion of the Prophet says that the Prophet Muhammad stood near an assembly of people and said: ‘Shall I not inform you of the best of you from your worst?’ He said this three times, then a man said: ‘Of course, O Messenger of God! Inform us of the best among us from our worst.’ He said: ‘The best of you is the one whose goodness is hoped for, and people are safe from his evil. And the worst of you is he whose goodness is not hoped for, and people are not safe from his evil.’ (Sunan al-Tirmidh)

This Hadith (Teachings of the Prophet) tells very clearly who a good person is and who is not. A good person is one about whom one can be sure in advance that whenever he meets that person, he will receive a gift of good from that person. Those who will have practical experience with such a person will have experience of truthful conversation and rightful deeds. Nothing will induce him to deal with people with intention of evil instead of good.

Undoubtedly, evil is also hidden inside such a person. Because he too, like others, abhors anything that goes against his likes and dislikes. He also gets angry at provocations. He also experiences storm of hatred and enmity. He also suffers from loss and hurt. In spite of all this, he sticks to his principles.

He suffers psychological shocks. He tolerates bitterness and offers sweetness to others. He leaves the incidents of abuse in for God to take care of so that he does not suffer from distraction, and with perfect equanimity, he continues his efforts towards a greater goal.