On Good Character, Kindness and Anger

“I heard Abā ʿAbdillāh (a) say, ‘Verily Allah has chosen Islam for Himself as a religion, so be its virtuous followers through generosity and good character.’”

“One day Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) mentioned good character and said, ‘A servant of the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) passed away, so he instructed that they should dig a grave for him. They proceeded to dig when [suddenly] they came…

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘If good character was a creature that could be seen, there would be nothing more beautiful than it in creation; and if evil character was a creature that could be seen, there would be…

“I heard him say, ‘Four traits are such that whoever possesses them, his submission [to Allah] is complete, even if he is covered in misdeeds from head to toe. They are: truthfulness, modesty, good character, and…

“A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me one thing, for I am a man who journeys [regularly] and I stay in the desert.’ He said, ‘Do not get angry.’ The bedouin found that to…

“Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) said to Yaḥyā al-Saqqāʾ, ‘O Yaḥyā, verily good character is a means of ease, and verily bad character causes difficulty.’”

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘When Allah wishes goodness for a household, He grants them moderation [and judiciousness] in life[1] and good character.’”

“Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) said, ‘Whenever you mingle with people, if it is possible for you to ensure that you always have the upper hand[1] over the one you mingle with, then do so. Verily the servant may have some…

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘Those who will be closest to me tomorrow (in the Hereafter) are the ones with the best character and the closest of you to the people.’”

“A man came to the Prophet (ṣ) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who among the people have the most perfect faith?’ He said, ‘Those who have the best character.’”

‘Allah, to Whom belong might and majesty, revealed to His Prophet, Dāwūd (a), “When My servant remembers Me in his anger [and thereby restrains it], I remember him on the Day of Resurrection in front of all My creation,…

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘Verily Allah is kind, He grants [abundant] reward [to the virtuous] and He loves every kind [and gentle] person. He grants for gentleness that which He does not grant for [anything…

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘O people! By Allah, I surely know that you cannot bring [joy or] comfort to the people with your wealth, rather [you can only do it] with cheerfulness and good character.’”[1] He (the…

“I heard Abā ʿAbdillāh (a) say, ‘[Good] character is a gift that Allah bestows to whomever He wills from His creation. Some of it is a natural disposition and some of it is [adopted and] practiced intentionally.’ I…

“I went to meet Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) while there was a man with him, and [I heard that] Abū ʿAbdullāh (a) told him, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, “Gentle kindness is propitious, whereas roughness is inauspicious.”’”

“Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) said [to me], ‘O Ibn Sinān, verily the meal of the Prophet (ṣ) would consist of barley without seasoning [or condiments]. Indeed, righteousness and good character make communities thrive and increase…

“Verily good character melts away sin the way ice is melted by the sun, and bad character corrupts action the way vinegar spoils honey.”

“A man came to the Prophet (ṣ) and said, ‘So-and-so died and we dug a grave for him, but the earth prevented it.’ He (ṣ) said, ‘He was [a person] of bad character.’”

“The Messenger of Allah (ṣ) said, ‘Should I not inform you of the best among you?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘Those with the best character, those who are amiable and hospitable, and those who get…

“Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) said, ‘[Espousing] a good character increases [one’s] livelihood.’”