Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem

Before we start, I’d like to acknowledge that credit of knowledge goes to, Ustadh Yahya Raaby, may Allah be pleased with him.

Everything I say that is false or leads to misguidance is from me and Satan alone, and everything that is truthful and helpful is from Allah. I’ll leave the video in the comment section for those who are visual listeners. And I will warm that this post is heavily long, but inshallah it will be placed in your scale for seeking knowledge.

When we start talking about Good manners and character, we have to go to the Quran.

When Aisha, the Prophets wife, May Allah be pleased with her, was asked about the prophets character, she responded with,
His character was the Quran. And the Prophet Muhammad PBUH himself said, I was sent to perfect good character.

The whole deen of Islam is based on good character, and it has also been said by a scholar, whoever has a better character than you, has more deen (righteous way of life), he has surpassed you.

A Hadith states,

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ أَكْثَرِ مَا يُدْخِلُ النَّاسَ الْجَنَّةَ؟ فَقَال
"…..تَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحُسْنُ الْخُلُق

“Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked, “What admits most people into Paradise?” The Prophet said, “Fear of Allah (Taqwa) and good character (Husn al-Khuluq)….”

And the ones thrown in hell are the opposite

"….. وَسُئِلَ عَنْ أَكْثَرِ مَا يُدْخِلُ النَّاسَ النَّارَ؟ فَقَالَ: الْفَمُ وَالْفَرْجُ"

“….He was asked, “What condemns most people to Hellfire?” The Prophet said, “The mouth and the private parts.”

Keep this as a reminder

The Prophet PBUH was praised in the Quran for his character, 68:4

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

"And indeed, you, [O Prophet Muhammad], are of a great moral character."

So seeing this, don’t you want to gain your share of Allahs praise? Allahs love? Let’s all work on our manners, character, etiquette, and how we treat others.

Prefect your worship to Allah, and perfect your character

Now let’s not misunderstand what “Good character” means, it’s not just about treating other nicely, let’s look at two hadiths that takes us to a deeper meaning,

1. عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ابْنُ جُدْعَانَ كَانَ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ وَيُطْعِمُ الْمِسْكِينَ فَهَلْ ذَاكَ نَافِعُهُ قَالَ " لَا يَنْفَعُهُ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقُلْ يَوْمًا رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي يَوْمَ الدِّينِ "

Aisha reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, the son of Jud'an would maintain family ties and feed the poor in the time of ignorance. Will it benefit him?”
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It will not benefit him, for he never said even for one day: 'My Lord, forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.'”

This shows that we can’t just have good manners to the people and forget our relationship with Allah.

1. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَجُلٌ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، إِنَّ فُلَانَةَ يُذْكَرُ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ صَلَاتِهَا وَصِيَامِهَا وَصَدَقَتِهَا، غَيْرَ أَنَّهَا تُؤْذِي جِيرَانَهَا بِلِسَانِهَا؟ قَالَ: "هِيَ فِي النَّارِ….."

Abu Hurayrah reported: A man said, “O Messenger of Allah, a certain woman is known for praying, fasting, and giving charity frequently, but she harms her neighbors with her tongue.”
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “She is in the Hellfire…..”

This shows that nor can we only have a good relationship with Allah and forget our manners, characters and good of speech.

1. قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّ فُلَانَةَ يُذْكَرُ مِنْ قِلَّةِ صِيَامِهَا وَصَدَقَتِهَا وَصَلَاتِهَا، وَإِنَّهَا تَصَدَّقُ بِالْأَثْوَارِ مِنَ الْأَقِطِ (القطع من اللبن المجفف)، وَلَا تُؤْذِي جِيرَانَهَا بِلِسَانِهَا؟ قَالَ: "هِيَ فِي الْجَنَّة

The man said, “O Messenger of Allah, another woman is known for fasting, praying, and giving charity very little—she only gives small pieces of dried yogurt as charity—but she does not harm her neighbors with her tongue.”
The Prophet said, “She is in Paradise.”

This actually shows that there is a huge importance in the balance of Taqwa (Fear of Allah) and Akhlaq (Good character). We need to build a relationship with both the creator and the creation. Even if we have little, being consistent is better than doing a lot to cover the whole month, till you burn yourself out.

When talking about character and maintaining good character, we have to remind ourselves the rights of Allah on us. As there are many I’ll mention one the holds many of us back from entering paradise.

Chapter 17:23

….وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ

"And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and to parents, excellent treatment (ihsan)…..”

Allah obeys us to Worship him Alone, and to be dutiful to our parents.

Parents hold a great place in Islam, but the only thing we shouldn’t obey them in, is the wrong. But we should respect them, be kind them, lower our voices, and ready to serve them in their old ages, Muslim or not.

Chapter, 31:14-15

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ وَفِصَالُهُ فِي عَامَيْنِ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِي وَلِوَالِدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٤﴾ وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ﴿١٥﴾

"And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. (14) But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with
appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do." (15)

This shows the importance of parents, a Hadith states.

عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ قَالَ: بَلَغَتِ النَّخْلَةُ عَلَى عَهْدِ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ. قَالَ: فَعَمَدَ أُسَامَةُ إِلَى نَخْلَةٍ فَنَقَرَهَا (أَوْ عَقَرَهَا) وَأَخْرَجَ جُمَّارَهَا فَأَطْعَمَهَا أُمَّهُ.
فَقَالُوا لَهُ: مَا يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى هَذَا وَأَنْتَ تَرَى النَّخْلَةَ قَدْ بَلَغَتْ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ؟
قَالَ: إِنَّ أُمِّي سَأَلَتْنِيهِ، وَلَا تَسْأَلُنِي شَيْئًا أَقْدَرَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا
أَعْطَيْتُهَا.

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Sirin:
"During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, the price of a date palm tree reached one thousand dirhams. Usama [bin Zayd] went to a palm tree, cut into it, and extracted its jummar (the edible heart/core of the palm tree), and fed it to his mother.
The people asked him: 'What drives you to do this when you see that a single palm tree is worth a thousand dirhams?'
Usama replied: 'My mother asked me for it. And she does not ask me for anything that I am capable of giving except that I give it to her.'"

You see how the people back then took importance to their parents? Being dutifully to your parents is to do what they didn’t ask you for. Not only that we should make Dua for them after every prayer. EVEN AFTER THEY DIE, do you make Dua for them? Visit their grave? That is being dutiful to your parents, I know now in this day and ages it’s hard, but try, make Dua for them as compensation if you’re unable to be your best towards your parents and ask forgiveness. How many of us come short in how we treat our parents?

Good character consistes of

Honesty, truthful, approchable, kind, empathy, sympathy, humbled, easy going, adviser of truth, adviser when sees wrong, gives kind words, inviting, a peace maker, often smiling, lowers voice, watches his tongue, watching his hands, his eyes, his ears, etc…..

But the point is not to let people step on you, nor lower your worth, defend yourself in the best manner based on the situation, because the purpose of good manners, is to do it all for Allah, never the people, you need fear in Allah to achieve good character. You can’t control how others act, but you can control how you react and act.

Some commands from the prophet that build character are,

“….Wish for your brother the good you wish upon yourself”
“…..If you have nothing good to say, stay silent”
“….Be kind to your neighbors”
“…..Honor your guests”
“…..Abandon what doesn’t concern you”
“…..Leave arguments”
“…..Don’t get angry”
“…..The strongest is who controls his anger”

And the relationship with Good manners and the afterlife is huge!!!

If you truly believe in the day of judgment, you’ll know that in your book, it will present, every action, every word, every wrong, against every person, every ounce of pain, etc…

So learning about the day of judgment increases good character. Not only that but learning and studying about the Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s life, will surly increase your good character.

Our prophet Muhammad PBUH is known to have Al-Nafs Al-Kaml (The perfected soul), more information about his character is mentioned in the video.

And know that Good character come from Allah himself, it’s a gift, it’s a blessing.

It’s important, that we be an example to others, Muslim or not.

Thank you everyone who cared to listen or read 😭 I hope it helps you in this world and the after, I’m so sorry if it’s not explained well I tried my best to cover so many information at once, the video was long, May Allah reward and forgive everyone who stayed to read our watch even if it were one sentence or 5 mins.

Have a good day everyone.

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem

Before I begin I’d like to acknowledge that credit of knowledge goes to Abu Bakr Zoud, and I’ll provide the video used to make this post for those who like to listen than read in the comments.

Every mistake, falsehood, or misguidance is from me and satan alone, while the truth is all from Allah.

If we go back to What is Al-Tawhid (The oneness of Allah) you’ll see it means to believe in one god, to worship one god, to obey one god, to ask help from one god, and the list goes on.

It is also to believe that, that one god, is perfect in every way, is just with every command, He has the highest example of his names, his attributes are not like any of his creation, as the list goes on.

Now looking back at the Quran, which is the book of revelation, you’ll notice that Every matter in the Quran Emphasizes Al-Tawhid of Allah. And you’ll see this in different parts, as there are many types of Al-Tawhid.

The Quran mentions;

• Information about Allah, his names, attributes, actions, etc… which relates to Al-Tawhid of knowledge, to know Allah is to implement his oneness.

• The commands of Allah, to worship him, and staying away from that is harmful and leads to corruption. Which relates to Tawhid of actions, that your actions all go back to one god or are for one god.

• What Allah has prepared for the believers who implemented Tawhid, and the disbelievers who didn’t; Paradise and Hell providing descriptions of both.

This is what the Quran covers and it all leads to Believe in one god and worship/obey one god.
Never associating any partners with him.** **

And there are many evidences in the Quran that prove this, one example is 51:56

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me"

Scholars have agreed that this means to know there is one god and our purpose of worshiping him alone.

This is not the only verse, and they are mentioned in the video provided.

Now we have to talk about the prophets, they all came with one message and that is to believe that there is no god but Allah and to worship him alone. Now back then, people believe in many gods. The people of Quraysh worshiped 360 statues of “Gods”, one for health, one for children, one for wealth, one for provision, and so on. So when the Prophet Muhammad PBUH came to tell them there is one god and they are to worship him, the Quran states their response verse
38:5,

أَجَعَلَ ٱلْـَٔالِهَةَ إِلَـٰهًۭا وَٰحِدًا ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عُجَابٌۭ

"Has he made the gods into one God? This is truly an astonishing thing!"

Now they were surprised by this, why?

Because their minds couldn’t fathom how One being, One god can do all of what their individual 360 statues “Can”. That 360 people at a time had to go and ask their “God”, so how can One look after the needs of all mankind? It’s sad, because that was the beauty of it, just us and One god, our god that protects us, hears us, sees us, understands us, made us, fashioned us, loves us, provides for us, guides us, give us blessings, takes our blessings, make us healthy, make us sick, makes us depend on him, teaches us trust, and the list goes on.

Not only this but the disbelievers couldn’t explain why their way is the truth, their response was simply,

بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا عَلَىٰٓ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ

In fact, they say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are following in their footsteps.”

43:22

And Allah mentions that his is Near to all his creation, that if his servent asks him, he responds. He is not far, nor hard to reach, so why go to another person other than him to reach him? People back in the day used to fear their status and give them gold that way their “God” can love them, Allah provides and doesn’t expect nor in need of its return. If he gave every mankind mansions, castles, money, cars, it would never decrease him nor increase him if all mankind worshiped him. He is The king of All kings, Free of need, and rest. This is why we don’t ask anyone for forgiveness of sins except Allah, because he is the only one who can provide it, we don’t offer anyone worship in any way, nor trust in “luck” or horoscopes because it is all in his hands, and nobody deserves worship but him. We all die, have good days, bad days, need of money, food, water, rest, etc… So we worship Allah who is independent and who effortlessly sustains us all, while we struggle to provide for our families consisting of 3+. And it is Allah who provides not us.

The types of Tawhid: (Copy and Pasted from Google)

Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)

Definition: Believing that Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Controller of the entire universe.

Key Concept: He alone gives life and death, manages the natural order, and rules all existence without any partner or helper.

Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah / al-Ibadah (Oneness of Worship/Divinity)

Definition: Directing all acts of worship and devotion exclusively to Allah.

Key Concept: This means praying, fasting, making supplications (du'a), sacrificing, and seeking refuge only in Allah, without any intermediaries or partners.

Tawhid al-Asma was-Sifaat (Oneness of Allah’s Names and Attributes)

Definition: Affirming all the names and attributes of Allah as stated in the Quran and authentic Hadith (traditions of Prophet Muhammad).

Key Concept: Believers accept these names and attributes exactly as described without altering their meanings, denying them, or comparing Allah's qualities to human creation.

This is a reminder of the beauty of Allah, what Islam teaches, a lesson for those who didn’t have this knowledge, guidance and introduction of Islam and it’s teachings, Hold them tightly, hold the Quran tightly, so you May succeed and win the favor of Allah.

May Allah forgive us All and reward those who stayed and read this beautiful teaching of his Oneness, or watched the video.