Perfecting One’s Character
Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
The Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam used to make a number of
supplications related to good character.
“O Allah, guide me to good character, none guides to good character but
You…” [Muslim]
“O Allah, I seek refuge in you from bad character, deeds and desires.”
[at-Tirmidhee]
“O Allah, You perfectly created me, so perfect my character.” [Ahmad]
“O Allah, I seek refuge in you from disability and laziness; from cowardice
and avarice; from decrepitude and harshness; from negligence and
impoverishment, from lowness and humiliation. And I seek refuge in You from
poverty and disbelief; from sinfulness, disunity and hypocrisy; from
notability and riyaa’ (show off)…” [Ahmad, Maalik, Bazaar, Haithami and
ibn `Abd al-Barr authenticated it.
The following beneficial excerpt is from “The Magnificent Journey” by ibn ul
Qayyim [published by QSS]. It explains three conditions needed to acquire
good manners, meaning proper nature, controlling one’s nafs and sound
knowledge.
Three Conditions to Acquire Excellent Manners
This is one example of the excellent manners with which Allah (taaala) has equipped his Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam). He described him as,
“Verily, You [Muhammad] are on an exalted standard on character.” [68:4]
Aa'ishah, radhiallaahu anhu, described him as, “His character was just [a
reflection of] the Qur’aan.” [Muslim, Aboo Daawood, Ahmad]
Such excellent character cannot be attained without three conditions:
-
The foundation must be good. Inf one has a rough and dry nature, it will
be hard for him to submit to this [excellence of character] through
knowledge, will, or practice. On the other hand, a mild and smooth nature
will be ready and willing to receive the plowing and the seeds [to prepare
it for character excellence]. -
The soul must be strong and capable of conquering calls of laziness,
transgression, and desire. Those matters contradict perfection, and souls
which cannot defeat them will always be defeated and conquered. -
[One must possess] a discerning knowledge of the truth of matters,
enabling one to put them in the rightful position, and to distinguish
between flash and cancer - between glass and jewels.
If these three qualities are present in a man, and Allah’s facilitation
helps him, then he will be among those whom the best (husnaa) has been
decreed and for whom Allah’s care has been secured.
“I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)”
(11:55-56)