Akhlaq means character and good manners, and it is a central part of Islam. Allah praised the Prophet (PBUH) in Surah Al-Qalam as a man of exalted character. When Hazrat Aisha (RA) was asked about his character, she replied that his character was the Quran. The Prophet (PBUH) himself said that he was sent to perfect noble character. Even before prophethood, the people of Makkah called him As-Sadiq, the Truthful, and Al-Amin, the Trustworthy.
Truthfulness and honesty are the foundation of good character. According to a hadith, truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. The well-known hadith on the signs of a hypocrite mentions three signs: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise, and when he is trusted he betrays the trust. Another narration adds a fourth sign, that is, behaving immorally in a dispute. On the Day of Judgment, the truthful and trustworthy merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs. In contrast, the Prophet (PBUH) said that whoever cheats is not one of us.
Islam places great emphasis on kindness within the family and the neighbourhood. The Quran forbids even saying “Uff” to parents, because it shows disrespect. When a man asked who was most deserving of good companionship, the Prophet (PBUH) said “your mother” three times, and only on the fourth time said “your father”. Jibreel (AS) kept advising the Prophet (PBUH) about the neighbour so much that he thought the neighbour would be made an heir. The one who looks after an orphan will be with the Prophet (PBUH) in Paradise. A believer in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.
Self-control and good speech are also signs of strength. According to the Prophet (PBUH), the truly strong person is the one who controls himself when angry. Smiling in the face of your brother is considered charity. Ghibah, or backbiting, means mentioning your brother in a way he would dislike, and Surah Al-Hujurat compares it to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother. Haya, or modesty, is a part of faith and brings only good. A person also does not truly believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Justice, humility, and mercy complete the picture. Surah An-Nisa commands believers to stand firm for justice, even if it is against themselves, their parents, or their relatives. The best of people are those with the best character. The Prophet (PBUH) warned that a person with even an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise. At the Conquest of Makkah, he forgave those who had persecuted him and said, “Go, you are free.” The Quran teaches that Allah is with those who are patient. Mercy even extends to animals, as a woman entered the Hellfire because she locked up a cat, neither feeding it nor setting it free.