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 across a rock in the grave and were unable to continue digging. So they came to the Prophet (ṣ) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we dug the grave for so-and-so and came across a large rock, so we began to strike it until our pickaxes became blunt [yet it did not break]!’ The Prophet (ṣ) said, ‘How can that be while he was a man of good character? Go back and dig.’ So they went back and Allah made it easy for them until they were able to bury him [in that grave].”

“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 nothing uglier than it in creation. Verily Allah makes the servant with good character attain the station of one who fasts [by day] and stands to worship [by night].”

“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 gratitude.’”

“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 be too trivial, so he returned to the Prophet (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.’ So the Prophet (ṣ) said to him, ‘Do not get angry.’ The bedouin took that to be trivial [advice] so he returned once more and repeated his request. So the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) answered him [in the same way]. The man thought to himself, ‘I will not ask about anything else after this. I understand that he has advised me and warned me not to accuse [anyone] falsely when I get angry, and not to kill [or fight with anyone] when I get angry.’” Abū ʿAbdillāh (a) said, “Anger is the key to all evil.” And he said, “Iblīs used to be with the angels and the angels considered him to be one of them, yet in the knowledge of Allah he was not one of them. When the command to prostrate before Ādam was issued, he was filled with prejudice and anger, so Allah brought out what he held within himself of prejudice and anger.”

“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 shortcomings in his worship, yet he has a good character so Allah elevates him thereby to the level of one who fasts [and worships often].’”

“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.’”

“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 narrator) also said that he heard him say, “May Allah have mercy on every easy-going, cheerful one.”

“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 asked, ‘Which of these two is better?’ He said, ‘The one who intends it is better. For verily the one who has a natural disposition is compelled to act that way and cannot behave in any other manner, whereas the one who voluntarily intends it makes himself remain patient in obedience [to Allah] and perseveres, so he is better.’”

“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 in [peoples’] lifespans.’”

“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 along with people and with whom others get along well.’”

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