Noble character in Islam is characterised by unique qualities which distinguish it from all other faiths, including the following:
● NOBLE CHARACTER IS NOT CONFINED TO A PARTICULAR TYPE OF PEOPLE:
Almighty Allah has made people into different shapes, colours and languages. They are all equal in His sight, and no one has an advantage over another except in piety and noble conduct, as the Qur’an states:
“O mankind, We have created you of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another; verily, the most honourable of you, in the sight of Allah, are the most pious of you.”
(Soorat Al-Hujuraat, 49:13)
Indeed, noble character characterises Muslims’ relationship with all members of society: There is no difference whatsoever between rich and poor, black and white, Arab and non-Arab, or a prince and a pauper.
HOW TO TREAT NON-MUSLIMS:
Allah commands us to show kindness and courtesy to everyone without exception, for justice, kindness and mercy are aspects of good character which a Muslim observes in his words and deeds with Muslims and non-Muslims alike. A Muslim ought to embody good character traits as a means to call others to this great religion of Islam.
The Qur’an says:
“Allah does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you on account of your religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them. Allah loves those who are just.”
(Soorat Al-Mumtahinah, 60:8)
Allah only forbids us to make friends with those belligerent non-Muslims who fight us because of our religion. He also forbids us to admire their way of life which clearly upholds unbelief and polytheist practices, as the Qur’an states,
“Allah only forbids you respecting those who made war upon you on account of [your] religion, and drove you forth from your homes and backed up [others] in your expulsion, that you make friends with them. Whoever takes them for friends are wrongdoers.”
(Soorat Al-Mumtahinah, 60:9)
A Muslim always maintains high moral standards when dealing with people regardless of their religion or race.
NOBLE CHARACTER IS NOT CONFINED ONLY TO HUMAN BEINGS:
GOOD TREATMENT OF ANIMALS:
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) once mentioned that a woman deserved punishment in Hellfire because of a cat that she had restrained and left it to starve to death. He also mentioned the story of a man whom Allah had forgiven after giving a thirsty dog some water to drink:
“A woman entered Hellfire because of a cat which she had tied, neither giving it food nor setting it free to eat from the vermin of the earth.”
[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: 3140; Saheeh Muslim: 2619]
He also said,
“While a man was walking along a road, he became very thirsty and he found a well. He lowered himself into the well, drank and came out. Then he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said,
‘This dog has become exhausted from thirst in the same way as I.’
He lowered himself into the well again and filled his shoe with water and gave the dog some water to drink. Allah thanked him for his good deed and forgave him.”
The people asked,
‘Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving these animals?’
“Yes,” he replied, “There is a reward for serving every living thing.”
[Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree: 5663; Saheeh Muslim: 2244]
PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT:
ISLAM URGES ITS ADHERENTS TO SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT:
Islam instructs us to make the world a better place by utilising the earth’s natural resources to build a civilization and engage in development and production for the general welfare of mankind, while at the same time trying to preserve such resources and prevent others from abusing or unnecessarily wasting them. Corruption in all its forms and by whatever means it may be caused is frowned upon in Islam and abhorred to the Creator Himself, as the Qur’an states,
“Allah does not like corruption.”
(Soorat Al-Baqarah, 2:205)
In fact, Islam is so concerned about this issue that it goes as far as to direct its adherents to do righteous deeds and engage in such things as cultivating the land even in times of great turmoil and under terrifying circumstances, such as the Day of Judgement. As the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) once instructed:
“If the Day of Judgement takes place [and you recognise the Event], while a man is holding a palm-tree seedling [to plant in the soil], let him, if he can, plant it.”
[Musnad Ahmad: 12981]