The first matter that it befits him to employ is taqwa of
Allah secretly and openly, by exercising caution (wara’) with regards to the
sources of his food, drink, dress and earnings. He is perceptive about his time
and the corruptions of its people, that he may beware of them regarding his
religion. He concentrates on his own situation, having the aspiration to reform
whatever is corrupt in his affairs, guarding his tongue and choosing his words.
If he speaks, he speaks with knowledge when he sees speech to be correct. If he
remains silent, he remains silent with knowledge when he sees silence to be
correct. He rarely delves into that which does not concern him. He fears from
his tongue things more severe than he fears from his enemy. He imprisons his
tongue the way he imprisons his enemy, so that he may be safe from its evil and
bad consequences. He rarely laughs at the matters at which people laugh, due to
the bad consequences of laughter. If he is pleased by something in accordance
with the Truth, he smiles. He dislikes joking, fearing frivolity: if he jokes,
he speaks truth. He is accommodating in countenance, pure in speech. He does
not allow himself to be praised for qualities he has, how then for qualities he
does not have? He is wary of his self, that it should overcome him for what it
desires, of the things that will anger his Master. He does not backbite anyone.
He does not look down upon anyone. He does not abuse anyone. He is not happy at
the affliction of others. He neither transgress upon anyone, nor envies him. He
does not think the worst about anyone, except for one who deserves it. He loves
with knowledge, and hates with knowledge. He speaks about a person’s faults
only with knowledge, and remains silent about a person’s real nature with
knowledge.
He has made the Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh his guide to every
good and beautiful character, guarding all his limbs from what has been
forbidden. If he walks, he walks with knowledge. If he sits, he sits with
knowledge. He strives hard so that people may be safe from his tongue and hand.
He does not behave ignorantly: if someone behaves ignorantly towards him, he is
forbearing. He does not oppress: if he is oppressed, he forgives. He does not
transgress: if he is transgressed upon, he has patience. He restrains his fury
to please his Lord and enrage his enemy. He is humble in himself: when the
truth is presented to him, he accepts it, whether from one younger or older. He
seeks status from Allah, not from the creatures. He despises arrogance, fearing
for his self from it.
He does not (earn to) eat by the Qur’an, nor does he like
his needs being fulfilled by way of it. He neither runs with it to the sons of
kings, nor sits with it amongst the rich so that they may honour him. If the
people earn plenty from the world without understanding or perception, he earns
a little with understanding and knowledge. If the people wear fine luxury, he
wears of the halal that which conceals his private parts. If his circumstances
ease, he eases; if they tighten, he tightens. He is content with little, so it
suffices him. He bewares for his self from the world that which will make it
tyrannical.
He follows the obligations of the Qur’an and the Sunnah: he
eats food with knowledge; he drinks with knowledge; he dresses with knowledge;
he sleeps with knowledge; he has union with his wife with knowledge; he
accompanies his brothers with knowledge, visiting them with knowledge, seeking
permission to enter upon them with knowledge, and greeting them with knowledge;
he treats his neighbour with knowledge.
He imposes strictly upon himself the honouring of his
parents: he lowers his wing to them, and lowers his voice before their voices.
He expends his wealth for them, and looks upon them with the eye of respect and
mercy. He prays for their longevity, and is thankful for them in old age. He is
not irritated by them, and does not look down upon them. If they ask for his
help in a matter of obedience, he helps them. If they ask for his help in a
matter of disobedience, he does not help them, but is gentle with them in his
disobedience of them: he shows beautiful etiquette such that they may return
from the ugly matter that they intended, that does not befit them to do.
He maintains family relations and despises breaking them. If
someone breaks off relations with him, he does not break off relations with
them. If someone disobeys Allah regarding him, he obeys Allah regarding him. He
accompanies the believers with knowledge, and sits with them with knowledge. He
benefits those who accompany him, being an excellent companion for those whom
he sits with. If he teaches another, he is gentle with him. He is not harsh
with the one who makes a mistake, and does not embarrass him. He is gentle in
all his matters, extremely patient in teaching goodness. The learner finds
comfort in him, and the one sitting with him is joyous at his company. Sitting
with him brings goodness. He educates his companions with the etiquettes of the
Qur’an and the Sunnah.
If he is afflicted with a difficulty, the Qur’an and the
Sunnah are two educators for him. He grieves with knowledge. He cries with
knowledge. He has patience with knowledge. He purifies himself with knowledge.
He prays with knowledge. He gives zakat with knowledge. He gives charity with
knowledge. He fasts with knowledge. He performs the Pilgrimage with knowledge.
He wages war with knowledge. He earns with knowledge, and spends with
knowledge. He eases in matters with knowledge, and tightens in them with
knowledge. The Qur’an and the Sunnah have taught him his manners.
Source: THE CHARACTER OF THE
PEOPLE OF THE QUR’AN
A translation of AKHLAQ
HAMALAH AL-QUR’AN WA AHLIH by Imam Abu
Bakr Muhammad b. al-Husayn al-Ajurri, d. 360 H
Translation: Usama Hasan / Al-Qur’an Society, London
