Advise On How To Learn Akhlaaq

Advise On How To Learn Akhlaaq

Question: Can you provide us some advice on how to learn akhlaaq (morals) and adab (manners) in the West and also, guidance on correct purification etc.? Perhaps, you can recommend some books on these topics, which can be studied and benefited from.


Answer: The Shaykh حفظه الله تعالى, he said that the first thing that I recommend to this individual is to read the Book of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. In this book, the Qur'aan one will find everything that a Muslim needs, in his dunya, as it relates to his worldly affairs and as well, as it relates to his Aakhirah (Hereafter). Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has told us in His Book, that which translated means:

مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ

{'We have neglected nothing in the Book'} [al-An'aam 6] That We have not left anything out of this Book, meaning that Guide. Likewise, when `Aishah رضى الله تعالى عنها was asked about the character of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم about his manners, about his morals, she said that: 'his character was the Qur'aan'.[1] His character was the Qur'aan. This means that he used to act in accordance to the Qur'aan. He used to do that which the Qur'aan commanded him with and stay way from that which the Qur'aan prevented him from and prohibited. Likewise, the Shaykh mentioned the ayah in Soorah al-Qalam where Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

{And verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) are on an exalted (standard of) character.} [al-Qalam 68] He سبحانه و تعالى praises the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم for his character. So this Book, the Book of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is the first Book that one returns to, in order to refine his character. Likewise, there are many ahaadeeth and books of ahaadeeth, like for example Riyaadus Saaliheen by an-Nawaawee. This book has many ahaadeeth that deal with the character or the morals of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم as it relates to all of his interactions. Likewise, we can return to the books of the Sunnah. We return back to the books of the Sunnah, we return back to the booksthat deal with the Seerah or the biography of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم and we look at how the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم behaved in his home, and with his wives and with his family, how he behaved with his neighbours and other than that.

Again the first thing we return to is the Book of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and all of these things inshaa'Allaah will be that which teaches the Muslim how to perfect his character. How he should act in his workplace, how he should be in leading his home, what he should do at night, what he should do in the daytime and all of his life. Also we have the book al-Adkhaar (The Book of Supplications) which also deals with this, it doesn't leave anything that the Muslim should do from the time he gets up until the time he goes to bed. And that is because the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم did not leave anything that would benefit his Ummah (Nation), except that he guided us to it and there is nothing that would harm this ummah except that he warned us from it.


Answered by: Shaykh 'Alee Muhammad Naasir al-Faaqihee حفظه الله تعالى
Title of Lecture: General Nasiha

Posted in: islamic article