PILLARS OF NOBLE CHARACTERS AND PILLARS OF REPUGNANT, IGNOMINIOUS CHARACTERISTICS

four pillars of noble characters

It is not imagined that one can have noble character except if it is founded upon four pillars:

The First: Sabr (Patience)
The Second: ‘Iffah (Chastity)
The Third: Shujaa’ah (Courage)
The Fourth: ‘Adl (Justice)

Patience inspires him to be tolerant, control his anger, endure the harms that he receives from others, to be forbearing and deliberate in his decisions. It motivates him to be gentle and not to be rash or hasty.

Chastity inspires him to avoid every imprudent characteristic, whether in statement or action, and encourages him to have a sense of modesty and integrity which is the epitome of all good. It prevents him from fornication, stinginess, lying, backbiting and spreading tales to cause separation and discord between the people.

Courage inspires him to have a sense of self esteem, to emphasize high and noble manners and to make it apart of his natural disposition. It also encourages him to exert himself and to be generous, which is in essence, true courage and it leads to strong will and self determination. It encourages him to distance himself from his ardent lowly desires, to control his anger, and to be forbearing because by such, he can control his temper, take it by the reins and curb his violent and destructive behavior just as the Messenger (salla Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:

“The Strong is not the one who can wrestle his opponent to the ground but rather the strong is the one who can control himself when he gets angry.” [Agreed upon]

«ليس الشديد بالصرعة ، إنما الشديد الذي يملك نفسه عند الغضب» متفق عليه

This is true genuine courage and it is the sole trait that the slave utilizes to conquer his opponent.

Justice encourages him to be impartial in his behavior with people and to be moderate between the two extremes of negligence and extremism. It motivates him to be generous and kind; which is the middle course between absolute degradation and arrogance, and to make this a part of his disposition and makeup. It encourages him to be courageous; which is the middle course between cowardice and imprudence, and to be forbearing; which is the middle course between extreme unnecessary anger and ignominy.

These four virtuous characteristics are the axis and provenance of all noble manners and the

four pillars of repugnant and ignominious

foundation of all repugnant and ignominious characteristics are built upon four pillars:

The First: Jahl (Ignorance)
The Second: Dhulm (Oppression)
The Third: Shahwah (following ones lowly desires)
The Fourth: Ghadab (Anger)

Ignorance allows him to view good in the form of evil and evil in the form of good, and to consider that which is complete to be incomplete and that which is incomplete to be complete.

Oppression causes him to put things in places which are not appropriate for them, so he gets angry when it’s time to be happy and he is happy when it’s time to be angry. He is ignorant and hasty when it’s time to be deliberate and deliberate when it’s time to be hasty, he is stingy when it is time to be generous and generous when it’s time to be stingy. He is weak when it is time to be courageous and assume responsibility, and he assumes responsibility when it is time to take a step back (and let someone else undertake the initiative). He is gentle and lenient when it is time to be harsh and firm and he is harsh and firm when it is time to be lenient. He is humble when it is time to be superior and arrogant when it is time to be humble.

Following (his) lowly desires encourages him to be diligent in obtaining that which the soul ardently desires, to be stingy and greedy. It encourages him to adorn himself with all types of despicable and imprudent characteristics.

Anger incites him to be arrogant, jealous, envious, to hold enmity of others and to be imprudent and shameless.

The foundation of these four repugnant and blameworthy characteristics; are two pillars:

Either extreme self ignominy,
Or extreme self pride.

Great Three Things Like Very Much

ALLAAH

Loves That Person Who

SPENDS HIS YOUTH

In The Path of Allaah

Submitted by: Bro. Farooq Shafi Sunrise, Florida U.S.A

Once, the Holy Prophet (SAW) was sitting around with his companions. He said to them, “I like three things very much.”  The companions (RA) became attentive to know what three things the Holy Prophet (SAW) likes.

The Holy Prophet SAW said, “I like itar (scent);

I like a God-fearing and obedient wife,

and I like salaah very much.’

Also present in that gathering were Abu Bakr (RA), Umar (RA), Usmaan (RA) and Ali (RA).

Abu Bakr(RA)  said, “Ya Rasool Allaah, if you permit me, may I also mention my three favorite things too?” After getting permission he said, “Ya Rasool Allaah, looking at you is my favorite; to sacrifice everything on your command is also my favorite, and the third most favorite is my beloved daughter to be your life partner.”

Umar (RA) stated after permission, “I also like three things. First is to spread the good deeds; second is to eliminate the bad deeds, and the third favorite is to put on the old and torn clothing.”

Usmaan (RA) chimed after permission, “Ya Rasool Allaah, I also like three things very much. First is to feed the hungry, second is to dress the poor and needy, and the third favorite is to continue reciting the Holy Qur’aan.”

Ali (RA) spoke after permission, “Ya Rassol Allaah, My three favorite things are to serve my guests; swing my sword in the path of Allaah, and to fast in hot weather.”

        

While this discussion was going on, Jibraeel (AS) descended. He said to the Holy Prophet (SAW) that Allaah SWT has sent him to mention his own and Allaah SWT’s three favorite things.

With the Prophet SAW’s permission, Jibraeel (AS) said, “My favorite things are to guide those who are lost, to secretly help those with a few means and a large family, and to befriend those who are poor in income but have not lost their conscience.”

Jibraeel (AS) then mentioned the three things that Allaah (SWT) loves.

“Allaah SWT loves that person who spends his youth in His path;

He loves the one who is patient when there are no means visible,

and Allaah SWT also loves the one who weeps when he is embarrassed upon the sins he has committed.”

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A PIECE OF ADVICE SEEKERS OF KNOWLEDGE - IBN BAZ

Praise be to Allah. May peace and blessings be upon His messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.

Undoubtedly, seeking knowledge is one of the best acts that draws a person closer to Allaah and is a means to Jannah (Paradise). It is important to be sincere when seeking knowledge intending it for the Sake of Allaah only and not for any other purpose. This is the way to avail of it and reach high ranks in the worldly life and the Hereafter.

It is reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) said: “If anyone acquires knowledge by which Allaah’s Pleasure should be sought but acquires it only to gain some worldly advantage, he will not experience the `Arf (fragrance) of Jannah on the Day of Resurrection.” [Related by Abu Dawud through a Hasan [good] Sanad [chain of narrators]

According to a report of Al-Tirmidhee(rahimahullaah) through a Da`if (weak) Sanad,the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) said: “Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, or dispute with the ignorant, or attract the attention of people to him will enter Hell-fire.”

He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) advised every learner and Muslim to be sincere to Allaah in all deeds and act upon Allaah’s ta’alaa saying:

“ So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.”[Surah Al-Kahf(18):110]                                            

It is related in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) said: Allaah ta’alaa says: “I am the One Who is not in need of a partner. If anyone does anything associating others with Me, I will leave them to that which they associated with Me.”

He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) ordered each seeker of knowledge and Muslim to fear Allaah ta’alaa and to be mindful of Allah with regard to all matters, acting upon Allah’s subhaanahu wa ta’alaa saying : “Verily„ those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His punishment in the Hereafter), theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise).”[Surah Al-Mulk(67):12]                       

Allaah(subhaanahu) also says:“But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).”[Surah Al-Rahman(55):46]                                 

 Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) said: “The peak of knowledge is to fear Allaah.”

`Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (radiyAllaahu ‘anhu) said: “Fearing Allaah is the sufficient knowledge and daring disobedience is the sufficient ignorance.”

Some Salaf said: “The most knowledgeable of Allaah fears Him most.”

This statement finds further support in the Prophet’s saying (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) to his Companions:“By Allaah, I am the most fearing among you of Allaah and the most dutiful to Him.”

The more the person becomes aware of Allaah, the more perfect is his piety,sincerity, observation of Hadud (ordained punishment for violating Allah’s Law) and warning against sins.

Therefore, Allaah subhaanahu wa ta’alaa says:“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh.”[Surah Fatir(35):28] 

Those who have knowledge of Allaah and His Religion are those who fear and obey Him most and are most conscious of His Religion. The messengers and prophets (‘alayhum sallaam) are on top in this regard and then their followers in righteousness. Therefore, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) told that of the signs of happiness is to be well-informed of Allaah’s Religion. He (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallaam) said: ”When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of religion.” Related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) on the authority of Mu`awiyah [radiyAllaahu ‘anhu]. This is because comprehending religion urges the servant to carry out Allah’s Commands, fear Him, observe His Obligations, and to be on their guard against committing sins. It also encouragesgood conduct, good deeds, and advising people for Allaah’s Sake.

I ask Allah subhaanahu wa ta’alaa to grant us, seekers of knowledge and all Muslims comprehension of His Religion and holding fast to it.

We seek refuge with Allaah from the evils of our souls and from our sins. He is the One Who is Capable of doing so. May Allaah’s Peace and Blessings be upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad, his family, and Companions!