Importance of Manners in Islam – According to Quran and Sunnah

Manners are a way of doing something or way of behavior, etiquette or it could be a person’s outward way of behaving toward others. The issue of good manners is very important In Islam; it is the basis of one's success in his daily life through which someone could make a distinctive place in the Islamic community.  Dealing others with good manners means to put them at ease the way that Islam recommended us to deal with. It is not just the important part of our religion Islam but also makes our social life more pleasant. Conducting good manners is not easy because it takes time. There is no one in a good manner than our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Allah Almighty said in Holy Quran:  “And indeed, you are of a great moral character” (Quran, 68:4). A Muslim can't be a true Muslim if he does his all kinds of worships, i.e. prayer, fast, zakat, pilgrimage etc. in the best way but neglects an important side of his worship i.e. Adab or good manners. A person who offers his daily prayers in mosques timely and in a proper way, but when it comes to dealing with other people in his daily life he is the worst person, cannot be considered a true Muslim. Holy Prophet (SAW) said about good manners in one of His hadith in these words: “Nothing is weightier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s good manners” (Bukhari).  Allah Almighty made Him (PBUH) the best and perfect example for the people and sent him only for the purpose of perfecting good morals.  The virtues of good manners are seen in various other hadiths which points to the good character that is pleasing to Allah Almighty and His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reminded in other hadith that: “The most beloved of Allah’s servants to Allah are those with the best manners.” (Al-Bukhari) Good manners or Adab consists of spreading words of peace, reviving broken relationships between people, involves praying for other Muslim brothers and sisters, advising and calling each other to do good and to stop which is evil. Good manners are about respecting parents, elders, neighbors and showing love and compassion to the young ones. Visiting the sick and abstaining from evils such as backbiting and slandering also includes in good manners. Allah loves those who possess these great qualities. If someone wants to achieve success it is by good manners that every success can be achieved in this life.  Good manners and sense of morality can prevent us from falling into sins. Allah Almighty says in Noble Quran: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad PUBH) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much” (Quran, 33:21). So we all should ask Almighty Allah to make us follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and deal with the people in a way that He (SAW) dealt with. Allah Almighty made it an essential part of the faith without which our faith cannot be completed. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) says: “The believers most perfect in faith are those best in character.” (Tirmidhi) In short, Manners are important to fulfill our faith and also in our social life. May Allah Almighty give us the strength to improve our manners and try to imitate them! Ameen