The word manner means being courteous and brings about considering how people feel. According to the Oxford dictionary definition of manner that is the way in which a thing is done or happens. In Islam, a manner is an act of good deed to seek the pleasure of Allah and maintain the manner for the sake of Allah. The Prophet peace be upon him said “The most beloved of Allah’s slaves to Allah are those with the best manners.” (At-Tabrani) Another hadith, The Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Nothing is heavier on the Scale of Deeds than one’s good manners.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
There are different forms of manners in Islam some are greetings, speech, generosity, honesty, and love. When we talk about the manner of greeting in Islam it is a way or an act of obeying Allah and His messenger peace be upon him. The prophet has encouraged us the greeting of teslim and he has told us who is meant to say the teslim first. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘A rider should greet a pedestrian; a pedestrian should greet one who is sitting; and a small group should greet a large group (of people).”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
He encouraged us to respect one another; the messenger (peace be upon him) said “He who does not show mercy to our young ones or show respect for our elders is not one of us.” (Saheeh Bukhari)
In Islam the Quran and the hadith talk about the manner of love, the messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said “None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Saheeh Bukhari) and also for the one looking disappointed from others the messenger peace be upon him said, “Do not lose your temper.” *repeated three times as advice (Saheeh Bukhari)
When one practices good manners it includes setting standards for others behaviour and encouraging them to treat you with similar respect. The hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) says “Verily, from the perfection of Islam, is that a person leaves what does not concern him.” (Sunan At-Tirmidhi).
Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) said, “I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) which action Allah loves best. He replied, ‘Prayer at its proper time.’ I asked, ‘Then what?’ He said, ‘Then kindness to parents.” (Adab Al-Mufrad)
In Islam, having good manners comes with many attributes which entail being trustworthy and being honest. “Modesty only causes good,” (Saheeh Bukhari). Humility and modesty: They both are regarded as virtuous traits in Islam. Trustworthiness and honesty are highly valued traits that are emphasized in the teachings of Allah and His prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).
The Quran provides guidance on the importance of being trustworthy and honest in various verses. “Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to their rightful owners; and when you judge between people, judge with fairness. What a noble commandment from Allah to you! Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing”. (Quran, 4:58 – Dr Mustafa Khattab) this verse highlights the obligation to fulfil one’s trust and responsibilities faithfully.
Muslims are meant to honour their commitment and be trustworthy in their relationship with others.
“O believers! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray your trusts knowingly.” (Quran, 8:27 – Dr Mustafa Khattab) talks about the seriousness of betraying trusts, particularly in matters relating to Allah and His messenger. It reminds believers of their duty to remain fulfilled.
Being honest is also part of having good manners highly valued and encouraged and it comes with these attributes:
– Fulfilling promises: Allah says the significance of fulfilling promises and being trustworthy.
” O you who believed fulfil all contract”. (Quran, 5: 51 ) This verse encourages believers to uphold their commitments and fulfil their obligations honestly.
– Manner of speech in Islam “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good things or remain silent.” (Saheeh Muslim) when relating words with people the messenger(peace be upon him) said “A good word is charity,” (Saheeh Bukhari).
– Avoiding deception and falsehood: Allah commands believers to stay away from deception and falsehood ” And do not mix falsehood or conceal the truth while you know the truth.”(Quran, 2:42) Allah encourages believers to avoid arrogance and treat others with humility.
In conclusion, Islam promotes and emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, trustworthiness, and honesty as fundamental values that should be upheld by its followers in every facet of their lives. This profound emphasis on these virtues serves as a guiding principle for Muslims, urging them to consistently embody these qualities in their actions, interactions, and dealings with others. By adhering to the teachings and principles of Islam, believers are encouraged to be sincere and truthful in their words, always striving to convey accurate information and avoiding falsehoods or deceitful practices. Furthermore, Islam strongly advocates for trustworthiness, urging individuals to fulfil their promises and commitments, thereby establishing a foundation of reliability and dependability in their relationships. Lastly, honesty is regarded as an integral part of a Muslim’s character, as they are encouraged to be transparent and genuine in their conduct, refraining from any form of dishonesty or deceit. Overall, Islam’s teachings on truthfulness, trustworthiness, and honesty provide a comprehensive framework that guides Muslims towards leading virtuous lives, fostering integrity and sincerity in their interactions with others and ultimately contributing to the creation of a just and harmonious society.
Written by Brother Adunola Abdussobur
