TREASURY OF ISLAMIC VIRTUES
A Selection From The Islamic Scriptures
A life of faith is a life of patience. Believers who choose patience are blessed with God’s superior grace. Patience is connected to every aspect of our lives.
A person without commitment is living on the fringes of existence and will eventually degenerate. No truly superior being has ever been found among the idle. As the saying goes, the Devil finds work for idle hands.
Islam distinguishes between social manners and social character. Social manners are based on the principle “Do as they do.” However, Islamic morality is based on the formula “Do good to others, even if they don’t do good to you.”
Islam believes that virtues are essential for believers’ character and conduct. They include qualities like truthfulness, patience, generosity, and humility, which are crucial for living a life that pleases God. The Quran emphasizes the importance of good character, stating that the best among people are those who exhibit the highest moral standards. Islam encourages believers to embody virtues even in challenging circumstances, as they guide their daily lives.
Virtues in Islam are practical attributes that enhance social harmony and personal integrity. The Quran states that the best among people are those who exhibit the highest moral standards.
Believers are expected to embody certain virtues to benefit humanity:
1. Gratitude
“Remember Me; I will remember you. Be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful.” (2: 152)
Man is never satisfied with what he has and always seeks more. God has favoured everyone, but people are more concerned with what they lack and disregard what they have. This attitude prevents them from offering thanks to God, which is a priceless virtue essential for admission into Paradise.
This world is limited and challenges people’s personalities, preparing them for the eternal perfect world, Paradise, where all their desires are fulfilled. No one can be truly happy in this world. Cold climates have their drawbacks, as do hot climates, and both low-income and high-income groups face difficulties. If the weak have a hard life, it’s not easy for those in power. There are endless problems, but we should persevere despite them, as we are being tested. We should focus on earning God’s pleasure, not on achieving a trouble-free life, as that can only be achieved in the next world. The greatest offering to earn a place in Paradise is a thankful heart. Cultivating gratitude requires rising above life’s difficulties. Heaven’s price is gratitude; only those who pay this price will enter.
2. Patience
“Those who do good in this world will receive a good reward, and God’s earth is vast. Those who persevere patiently will be rewarded without measure.” (39: 10)
Building a life on faith is a great trial. Only those with faith as their greatest wealth, prepared to forego everything else, succeed. A life of faith is a life of patience. Believers who choose patience are blessed with God’s superior grace. Patience is connected to every aspect of our lives. For example, when overwhelmed by a desire, we control it, think about it, and do what wisdom demands. This is called exercising patience. Similarly, when someone causes us trouble, we feel the desire for revenge but stop ourselves and do what our faith wants us to do. This is also called exercising patience. In short, impatience is a hasty response, while patience is a well-thought-out one.
3. Adjustment
“You may dislike something though it’s good for you, or like something though it’s bad for you: God knows but you don’t.” (2: 216)
What a man dislikes may be pleasing to God, benefiting him in the next world. In God’s sight, evil is choosing one’s own pleasure over the Creator’s. Though it may seem beneficial in this world, it will harm in the afterlife. Adjustment is a way of life, not just a behaviour towards others. Our world is full of differences, and everyone has the freedom to behave as they choose, leading to a chaotic environment. We can’t change this creation plan, so the only realistic option is to adjust with others. Adjustment means not reacting, trying to change others, becoming negative, or taking the situation as an obstacle. Instead, we manage it smoothly. In every situation, we have two options: adjust with others or opt for non-adjustment. Non-adjustment will only worsen our problems, causing stress, mental disturbance, and wasted time and energy. Adjustment, on the other hand, will instantly free our minds, save us from negativity, and help us follow the formula: ‘save yourself’. When we can’t change others, change ourselves. This behaviour is called adjustment.
The present world tests us with various thorns, such as negativity, false issues, and worldly desires. These thorns disturb our minds and lead us away from virtue. They are like thorns lining the path of life, and we fear getting entangled and trapped.
To avoid these thorns, the wise man travels life’s paths by gathering his clothes. This way, he can continue his journey unhindered. However, he must always be aware of the need to protect himself. He must avoid entanglement, not get entangled.
Humans are naturally inclined to choose the right path. Therefore, we must be vigilant against obstacles that hinder our progress. Guided by our upright nature, we will continue on the right path until we meet our Lord.
4. Shunning Idleness
The second Caliph, Umar ibn Khattab, often expressed his disappointment when he discovered that people he had come to like were idle. He believed that idleness made people worthless. Idleness is a great evil that wastes talents and leaves people unqualified for life.
A student who is too lazy to study will never learn or develop their critical thinking skills. Their failure in exams will leave them without the qualifications needed for good jobs. Without a foundation, they will drift from job to job. Even those who have qualified themselves cannot afford to rest on their laurels.
Many delay entering a profession due to waiting for the right job. However, idleness is not a viable option. People may resort to idleness when they lack economic pressures, such as inheriting wealth or having investments that provide financial security. However, this is not a fulfilling existence. Idleness can lead to financial and emotional burdens on others.
Alternatively, financially independent individuals should pursue noble causes and keep themselves occupied. A person without commitment is living on the fringes of existence and will eventually degenerate. No truly superior being has ever been found among the idle. As the saying goes, the Devil finds work for idle hands.
5. Speech Management
“A kind word and forgiveness are better than a charitable deed followed by hurtful words: God is self-sufficient and forbearing.” (2: 263)
Imagine a boulder with soil on its surface. It appears fertile, but a gust of wind and rain wash it away, leaving the rock exposed. This is similar to someone who wears a pious robe without it permeating their being. If someone rudely asks for help or their ego is wounded, they become irritated and exceed decency.
Speech is a rare and exclusive gift, but it comes with responsibility. It’s only valuable when it’s useful, and misuse can lead to punishment. To manage speech effectively, control your tongue, think before speaking, and consider the impact of your words. Avoid negative talk, lying, and misrepresentation, as they can create rifts or suspicion. Misuse of speech often occurs when there’s a misunderstanding between an allegation and a statement based on evidence. Start by examining whether your statement is supported by logic. If you have good reason to speak, then open your mouth; otherwise, remain silent. Right speech is based on truth and objective analysis, using verified, positive data that won’t cause problems.
Most of our activities involve speech, so we should cultivate positive speaking skills to create a healthy atmosphere in our families, societies, and nations. Good speech is the foundation of nation-building. People often lack discipline and dislike constraints on their activities, especially speech. Right speech means disciplined speech, speaking in a controlled manner and weighing each word before uttering. Well-thought-out speech is a source of building harmony and goodwill. The art of managing speech is vital for everyone. Those with the art of right speech can be considered wholesome human beings.
6. Morality
Morality is crucial. The Quran instructs, “Be good to your parents; don’t kill your children for poverty; refrain from indecent deeds; and don’t kill God’s sacred life except by right.” (6: 151)
Many wrongs are so immoral that their evil is obvious without special knowledge. Man’s nature and conscience alone indicate their improper nature. Indulging in shamelessness reveals a lack of basic humanity.
Islamic morality involves living among others according to its teachings. A Hadith states, “Behave as you’d like others to behave towards you.” Everyone knows what they approve of and disapprove of, so following this generally accepted moral criterion is essentially Islamic morality.
Islam distinguishes between social manners and social character. Social manners are based on the principle “Do as they do.” However, Islamic morality is based on the formula “Do good to others, even if they don’t do good to you.” (al-Tabarani) The Quran portrays Muslims as individuals who “repel evil with good” (28: 54). Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad advised Muslims to “do good to those who harm them” (Al-Tirmirdhi). The Prophet Muhammad embodied the finest moral character.
The Quran praises the Prophet’s noble character, saying, ‘You have a sublime character’ (68: 4). Islam places great emphasis on moral character, which is used to judge other Islamic virtues. Being good to others shows one’s goodness towards God. The Prophet Muhammad said, ‘One who is not grateful to man cannot be grateful to God either.’ (Al-Bayhaqi)
