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Muslim Personality (
Monks at Night and
Knights by Day In the decisive battles against the Romans
during the time of Caliph Umar (RA), the Muslim soldiers,
although always outnumbered by the enemy, proved mysteriously
indomitable and strong-willed opponents. The Roman commanders
were baffled as to how could the once barbaric and irregular
desert army display such vigour and chivalry against a battle
hardened regular Roman army. They sent some informers to see
how the Muslim soldiers spend their time, especially at night.
As wining and womanising were the common practices of the
conquering army, the generals were perplexed and frightened
to hear that Muslims were like 'monks at night and knights
by day'
Such was the characteristics
of the first generation of Muslims who, within a few decades
conquered the land beyond Arabia and brought out a extraordinary
social revolution in the history of mankind. They made the
mountains move, rivers give way in their search for human
liberation and, above all, human hearts surrender to one Allah.
They were the first "Qur'anic generation", as Syed Qutub of
Egypt put it. They were the people despised by the then two
super powers, the Persians in the east and the Romans in the
west, to the extent that neither of them even felt like to
take them over.
A Question to
think about: What can
we learn from the Muslims in the 'Qur'anic generation' in
order for us to achieve success both in this world and in
the hereafter?
A Unique World They
created a world where a young woman could travel alone between
the two distant places of Arabia without any fear for her
chastity. They were the people who offered their last sip
of water to their fellow Muslim brothers who they thought
were more needful. They created a society where sinners, smallest
in number a society can think of, rushed to the prophet to
be punished in the world rather than suffering from fire in
the hereafter. They are the pride for mankind and the role
models for Muslims till the day of judgement. Allah, the Exalted,
lovingly mentions about them, "Allah is pleased with them
and they are pleased with Him". (al-Qur'an 9:100)
Sacrifice for the
Humanity They were the people who deserved this glad tiding
from Allah, not because they were the 'chosen' people, but
they earned it through their sweat and blood, firm belief
and action, loyalty to Allah and His messenger (pbuh), passion
for Akhirah and maximisation of the worldly tools. They made
a conscious decision to serve humanity in their physical and
spiritual need. They preferred to die for others, rather than
to live for their own selves. They were the people who challenged
the existing order of the Quraish aristocracy, Arab arrogance
and super-power haughtiness of the Persians and the Romans.
When success kissed their feet in their missions they used
to prostrate before their Lord, as their success was not for
their narrow self-interest but for humanity, and above all
for the pleasure of Allah.
A Question to
think about: What factors
strengthen a Muslim's faith in Allah?
Love and Compassion
Their features and characteristics are mentioned in many verses
of the Qur'an. (al-Qur'an 48:29) Like compassionate physicians
they lovingly cured the diseases of human souls, showing no
sympathy for the disease itself. The contrasting nature of
their character created in them a consummate personality that
pulled everyone towards them except those who were bent on
evil. Their glowing face and appearance displayed their tranquil
heart and spiritual fulfilment.
Knowledge and Conviction
The Muslim personality is rooted in knowledge and conviction
- the knowledge that elevated human being to a status higher
than other creatures, including angels, knowledge about the
world, the creation, about himself, his surroundings. Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) has emphasised so much on knowledge that one
wonders how a Muslim could be so stooped in ignorance as we
are today. Knowledge widens horizon, gives conviction and
creates tranquillity in mind. Conviction moves forward a man
for action, gives steadfastness, patience, perseverance, dedication
and consistent commitment in life.
All-Embracing Quality
The Muslim personality thus has an inner reservoir of strength
emanated from Allah's treasure and it has its external manifestations.
It is like a strong big tree that has a strong root in the
soil and wide branches spread in the sky. Muslims are the
people who watch each moment of their life and ask themselves
whether they are using their time meaningfully. They utilise
their time in self-assured and confident manner to enjoin
good and forbid evils. They use their eyes, ears and other
senses to observe, learn and educate themselves every moment
of the day. They use their knowledge and develop their skills
to make sound judgements, honour truth and do justice to all,
including themselves. They harness the material and spiritual
benefits from each moment's existence through consciousness
and feeling of gratitude to the Kind and Merciful Creator.
Muslims are ever
vigilant of what is happening around them and the wider world.
They read the signs of Allah in nature and learn by looking
closely at the technological development of the world and
its impact on human life. Muslims are not only fully aware
of modern man's latest gadgets, such as internet, mobile telephones
and other high-tech tools, but can effectively utilise them
for the benefit of mankind. The hall mark of Muslim personality
today is to shape their life in the image of the companions
of Prophet (pbuh), rather than to pander to the whims and
fancies of people engrossed in Jahiliyah.
A Question to
think about: Why is
it paramount for Muslims to be constantly vigilant of current
affairs and modern developments in the wider world?
A Distinct Attitude
A Muslim thus has
a distinct attitude toward life. This dictates his moral character
and external manners. His personality shines through his look
and behaviour. In fact, they become imbedded in his nature.
Everything he does has characteristic features of an emissary
of Allah on earth. As he is conscious of his assignment in
the world he illuminates himself with the light of virtue
and good manners. The prophet's emphatic call upon Muslims
to attain and exercise good manners is a weighty one. Here
are some of the examples of what he said on this;
Usama bin Shareek
narrates : We were sitting in the presence of Allah's messenger
so quietly as if birds were perched on our heads. Nobody had
the courage to open his mouth. In the meanwhile a person came
and asked the prophet, "among Allah's slaves who is the dearest
to Him?" The prophet replied; "One who has the best moral
character". (Ibn Habban)
The prophet was
asked, "which Muslim has the perfect faith"? He answered,
"he who has the best moral character".(Tirmidhi)
Abdullah ibn Amr
narrates : I have heard the prophet saying, "should I not
tell you who among you is the most likeable person to me and
who will be the nearest to me on the Day of the Judgement"?
He repeated this question two or three times. The people requested
him to tell them about that person. He said, "he who among
you has the best moral character". (Ahmad)
The Prophet has
said, "I have been sent only for the purpose of perfecting
good morals". (al-Muatta)
The Prophet has
also mentioned, "my Lord has taught me good manners and He
has mannered me well". (al-Sam'ani)
A Question to
think about: For what
reasons is it nearly impossible for Muslims to shape the life
of Western society?
Best Training with
best Trainer Building a Muslim personality needs constant
and conscious training and practice. It is not merely a collection
of do's and don'ts. Effective training requires competent
trainers with excellent qualities on whom people can put their
trust and confidence in. A trainer possessing exemplary character
can infuse emotional attachment to the learning process. Who
else other than the Prophet himself possesses this perfect
character? The Prophet is the perfect example, the role model,
of the good moral character to be emulated till the end of
the Day. Allah, the Merciful Himself, has testified his perfect
character in the Qur'an. (al-Qur'an 33:21, 9:129) Abdullah
ibn Amr says : The messenger of Allah was neither ill-mannered
nor rude. He used to say that the best among you are those
who are best in their moral character. (Bukhari)
Rights of Allah
and Creation
Religion is a contract
between a servant and his Creator. In Islam this contract
entails two types of relationship - one between man and Allah,
and the other, between man and the creation. This relationship
has the essential rights and responsibilities. A Muslim life
is essentially a life of continuous effort, struggle, to implement
Allah's divine will on earth. A servant's success or failure
depends on effective dissemination of that will. He only makes
effort to the best he can. Whether he succeeds or fails in
the world is immaterial to him. His ultimate gain lies in
the Hereafter. That does not meant that he carries his job
with lethargy and inefficiency.
The Present Challenge
Muslims in the West have probably little chance in the near
future to see Islam shaping the life of the western society.
Given the extent of Jahiliyah in the western psyche and the
weaknesses of the Muslim community it is a near impossible,
an arduous and mountainous, job. However, if the Muslim parents
become cautious of their present obligations to their children
and can focus on a challenging future, there is definitely
hope in the new generation of Muslim youth.
A Question to
think about: What qualities
are needed for effective training of a good Muslim personality?
But, time is running
fast. The Muslims are now running a great risk of being ghettoised
or assimilated in the melting pot of a universal neo-Jahiliyah.
Here comes the crucial role of the Muslim parents who simply
can not afford to ignore their obligation toward their sons
and daughters. To a Muslim every moment is a gift from Allah
and as such a test. The Prophet has mentioned, "He whose two
days are equal is a sure loser". (Sunan Daylami)
Features of a
Muslim
What are then the features of a Muslim? Among the endless but
coherent list, mentioned in the Qur'an and Ahadith, there are
some the Muslim parents can easily remember and instil in their
children. A simple acronym, FEATURES,
may prove a useful checklist.
F for Friendliness
E for Efficiency
A for Adaptability
T for Trustworthiness
U for Uncompromising (in principles of Islam)
R for Reliability
E for Expertise
S for Sociability
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