All praise is to Allah, we seek His help and His
forgiveness. We seek refuge with Him from the evil of our own souls and from
our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever
Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but
Allah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is
His slave and Messenger_
Firstly:
A good attitude is the characteristic of the best of the
Messengers and is the best action of the righteous. It is – no doubt –
half of religion, the fruit of the efforts of the pious and the practice of the
devoted worshipper. Bad characteristics are lethal poison and lead to shameful
consequences. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: *“I have only been sent to
perfect good characteristics"*
.” Narrated by
al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) was asked about that which will admit most people to Paradise.
He said: *“Fear of
Allaah and a good attitude.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi
Hence Islam paid a great deal of attention to laying down
guidelines for treating diseases of the heart (i.e., spiritual diseases) and
ways of acquiring good characteristics, which is regarded as one of the most
important duties, because no heart will be free of sicknesses. If the heart is
neglected, sicknesses will accumulate. No soul is free of inclinatons which, if
they are given free rein, will lead it to doom in this world and in the
Hereafter._ _This kind of medicine requires profound knowledge of reasons and
causes, then it needs hard work to remedy it and set things straight, in order
to reach a successful outcome._ Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Indeed he
succeeds who purifies his ownself”
[al-Shams 91:9]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used
to pray for a good attitude, saying,
“O Allaah,
You have made my outward form beautiful so make my attitude good too.”
Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani
Secondly:
If a person knows what his shortcomings are he can do
something to remedy them, but many people are unaware of their faults and
shortcoming.
A person may see the speck in his brother’s eye and not see the log in his own. The person who
wants to know what his own faults are may do four things:
- He may sit before a Shaykh who has insight into people’s faults and knowledge of the subtlety of some problems and learn from him knowledge, good attitudes and manners.* *2. He may ask a sincere friend who has insight and is religiously committed to keep watch over him and take note of his actions, so that he can draw attention to whatever he dislikes of his attitude, actions, and inward and outward faults.
- This is what the best and greatest imams of Islam used to do. ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) used to say: “May Allaah have mercy on a man who shows me my shortcomings.”
- 3. He can learn about his faults and shortcomings from the lips of his enemies, because the eye of one who is resentful will always notice bad things about you. A man may benefit more from an enemy who wants to cause trouble and mentions his faults than from a friend who wants to flatter him by praising him and concealing his faults.
- 4. He can mix with people. Everything that he sees as blameworthy among people, he should guard against in his own self, because the believer is the mirror of his fellow believer, and in the faults of others he can see his own faults.It was said to ‘Eesa (peace be upon him): “Who taught you?” He said: “No one taught me; I saw the ignorance of the ignorant as something bad and I avoided it.”_ Insha Allah I will end here and continue another time.
May Allah accept it from you and me and grant us jannah
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