The Means That Aid in Acquiring Noble Character
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Question:
The topic of character is a matter that concerns every Muslim. What are the means that aid in acquiring this character? And likewise, patience in performing it if it is already present in the Muslim. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The greatest of the causes: supplicating to Allah and humbly beseeching Him to grant success in it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 897Sahih (Darussalam) He asks his Lord to help him with noble character and excellent deeds. This is the first of the causes, and the greatest of them.
The second cause: seeking knowledge and insight, knowing noble character and knowing bad, blameworthy character, so that one becomes accustomed to noble character and so that one stays away from blameworthy character.
The third cause: keeping the company of the righteous, associating with the righteous, and staying away from the wicked. This is among the greatest causes for adopting noble character and staying away from blameworthy character.
The fourth cause: care and struggling against the self. Struggle is necessary, and patience is necessary. One must struggle against his self to adopt noble character, and he must beware with all his strength, all his energy, and all the power Allah has given him, of blameworthy character. This is how the believer is. And this fourth cause requires patience and perseverance... the self does not achieve matters... nor is it easy. Patience is necessary, and struggle against this self is necessary; so that one becomes accustomed to noble character, so that one remains upright upon it, and so that one stays away from blameworthy character.
The topic of character is a matter that concerns every Muslim. What are the means that aid in acquiring this character? And likewise, patience in performing it if it is already present in the Muslim. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
The greatest of the causes: supplicating to Allah and humbly beseeching Him to grant success in it, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Guide me to the best of manners for none can guide to the best of them but You. Protect me from bad manners for none can protect against them but You.
اللهم اهدني لأحسن الأخلاق، لا يهدني لأحسنها إلا أنت، واصرف عني سيئها، لا يصرف عني سيئها إلا أنتThe second cause: seeking knowledge and insight, knowing noble character and knowing bad, blameworthy character, so that one becomes accustomed to noble character and so that one stays away from blameworthy character.
The third cause: keeping the company of the righteous, associating with the righteous, and staying away from the wicked. This is among the greatest causes for adopting noble character and staying away from blameworthy character.
The fourth cause: care and struggling against the self. Struggle is necessary, and patience is necessary. One must struggle against his self to adopt noble character, and he must beware with all his strength, all his energy, and all the power Allah has given him, of blameworthy character. This is how the believer is. And this fourth cause requires patience and perseverance... the self does not achieve matters... nor is it easy. Patience is necessary, and struggle against this self is necessary; so that one becomes accustomed to noble character, so that one remains upright upon it, and so that one stays away from blameworthy character.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.