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Akhlaq
The Muslim Character
s
"I have been sent by Allah to teach people good manners." Prophet Muhammad

Tawhid vs. shirk Assertive vs. timid Attentive vs. inconsiderate Caring vs. cruel Cautious vs. rash
Recognising the oneness of Allah Respecting my own legitimate needs Paying close attention and Having kindness and concern for Attentive to potential problems or
avoiding joining partners with Him. and confidently expressing them. responding promptly to the needs of others, giving them love and dangers.
others. attention.
An-Nisa’ 4:116 Al-i-Imran 3:104 Al-A`raf 7:204 An-Nisa’ 4:36 An-Nisa’ 4:94

Chaste vs. promiscuous Clean vs. polluted Compassionate vs. Content vs. covetous Co-operative vs. difficult
Restraining my mind and body from Keeping my mind, body and indifferent Being satisfied and grateful with what Working together with others, sharing
any sexual activity, except with my appearance clean, pure and Responding with care and mercy to Allah has given me, knowing it is the load, to accomplish something
spouse. healthy. suffering. what I need. for the sake of Allah. .
Al-Ahzab 33:35 Al-Anfal 8:11 Al-Balad 90:17 Al-Mu’minun 23:28 At-Tawba 9:71

Couragous vs. coward
Bravery in the face of fear. Doing the
right thing, even when it is difficult.
Al-i-Imran 3:175
Courteous vs. rude Creative vs. dull Decisive vs. half-hearted Dependable vs. inconsistent
Having respectful regard for others, Using my imagination and special Able to make correct judgements Regularly fulfilling my obligations to
treating the creation of Allah as He talents given by Allah to best use. and follow them through. Allah and to others.
asks.
An-Nisa’ 4:86 As-Sajda 32:9 Al-i-Imran 3:159 Al-Ma’ida 5:1

Determined vs. Dilligent vs. slothful Discerning vs. confused Discrete vs. imprudent Enthusiastic vs. apathetic
faint-hearted Applying persistent exertion with my Having sound judgement. Being able Acting carefully and with tact to Having eager enjoyment and interest
Acting with firm and resolute best efforts to accomplish things. to understand things as they are part avoid undesirable consequences. in what Allah provides by way of
purpose. of Allah's plan. experience.
Al-Baqara 2:153 An-Nisa’ 4:95 Al-Anfal 8:29 Yunus 10:41 Al-Hashr 59:1

Excellent vs. mediocre Fair vs. prejudiced Faithful vs. faithless Flexible vs. rigid Forgiving vs. resentful
Quality of being outstanding, doing Recognising that we are only To have firm conviction in ultimate Open to the new directions Allah Not wishing the past was any other
my absolute best by the will of Allah. differentiated by God-consciousness. reality. takes me instead of following way, ceasing to resent someone
intractable desires. and/or myself.
Al-i-Imran 3:110 Al-Hujurat 49:13 Al-Ma’ida 5:83 Al-Baqara 2:106 Ash-Shura 42:43

Friendly vs. aloof Generous vs. stingy Gentle vs. harsh God-fearing vs. prideful Grateful vs. thankless
Taking an interest in others and their Giving plentifully to others without Showing care and concern in Aware of Allah's all-encompassing Being thankful to Allah,
wellbeing, giving them my time and reservation. meeting the needs of others. knowledge and of the need to live acknowledging benefit from Him and
attention. according to His will. from others.
Al-Mumtahina 60:8 Al-i-Imran 3:92 Al-i-Imran 3:159 Muhammad 47:17 Al-Baqara 2:152

Helpful vs. unobliging
Being of service to others, doing
thoughtful things that will make a
difference in their lives.
An-Nur 24:22
Honourable vs. Hospitable vs. selfish Humble vs. proud Joyful vs. miserable
unscrupulous
The reception and entertainment of Knowing that it is Allah who has Being glad, expressively happy,
Living up to the high standards Allah others with kindness and friendliness. power over all things. delighted with Allah’s bounties.
has set for human beings.
Al-Isra 17:70 Hud 11:69 Al-Hajj 22:34 Ta-Ha 20:130

Just vs. wrongful Loving vs. selfish Loyal vs. treacherous Meek vs. enraged Moderate vs. extreme
Rendering what is rightfully due to Extending myself for my spiritual Faithfully adhering to the Yielding patiently to Allah, not Following the middle way, not going
Allah and to others. good or for the good of others. commitments I make, to Allah and to responding inappropriately to to extremes in any thought, belief or
others. provocation from others. action.
An-Nahl 16:90 Al-i-Imran 3:31 Al-Ma’ida 5:100 Ta-Ha 20:44 Al-Baqara 2:143

Modest vs. indecent Obedient vs. rebellious Orderly vs. untidy Patient vs. anxious Peaceable vs. aggressive
Observing decent behaviour and Obeying Allah, His Prophet (peace Arranging things in a tidy manner, Tolerating trials without getting angry Being calm inside, and solving
speech, and avoiding impropriety or be upon him) and those with practising discipline and good or upset, or demanding Allah conflicts internally and amongst
indecency. authority over me. behaviour. change things. others.
An-Nur 24:30 An-Nisa’ 4:59 Al-A`raf 7:56 Luqman 31:17 Al-Furqan 25:63

Persuasive vs. contentious Principled vs. corrupted Punctual vs. tardy Resourceful vs. Responsibile vs. unreliable
Demonstrating truth through good Living by the highest values, being Being prompt, on-time, respecting incompetent Being reliable, sensible and someone
reasoning, rather than argument or morally unimpaired or corrupted. the time of others, most especially Finding skillful ways of doing things, or others can depend on.
provocative force. times for prayer. overcoming difficulties.
An-Nahl 16:125 Al-An`am 6:117 An-Nisa’ 4:103 Al-Baqara 2:182 Al-An`am 6:152

Reverent vs. disrespectful Secure vs. fearful Self-controlled vs. Sensitive vs. callous Sincere vs. hypocritical
Giving deep respect to Allah and Having the safety and protection of
indulgent
Being responsive and empathetic to Being honest, genuine, and
honouring Him, looking after that Allah through honouring my Having control of my nafs. Abstaining others, understanding their thoughts transparent to others and myself.
which He has created. covenant with Him. from whims. and feelings.
Al-Anfal 8:2 Al-Ma’ida 5:105 An-Nazi`at 79:40 Al-Baqara 2:263 Al-Hadid 57:19

Steadfast vs. evanescent
Being able to withstand tests and
trials to achieve what Allah wants
from me.
Al-Baqara 2:153
Surrendered vs. defiant
Giving myself in complete devotion
to Allah, worshipping only Him.
Al-Baqara 2:112
Thorough vs. superficial Thrifty vs. extravagant Tolerant vs. intolerant
Completing things with regard to Using money and resources carefully Respecting others’ right to make
every worthwhile and achievable and with thoughtful management. choices different than mine.
detail.
Al-Hajj 22:29 Al-A`raf 7:31 Al-Kafirun 109:6

Trustworthy vs. duplicitous Truthful vs. deceitful Unified vs. conflicted Virtuous vs. iniquitous Wise vs. foolish
Being honest in word and deed, Only saying that which is true, having Working peacefully together with Behaviour showing excellent moral Knowing what is true and right,
never lying, gossiping or back-biting. a firm commitment to reality. others in a common purpose for the standards, living how Allah wants me based on sound judgement given by
sake of Allah. to live. Allah.
Al-Anfal 8:27 Al-Ahzab 33:70 Al-i-Imran 3:103 Al-Ma’ida 5:48 Al-Baqara 2:269

Credits (: Created by Umm Yasmin bint Abu Mika’il, based on an idea from the Duggar Family’s “Operational Definitions of Character Qualities” duggarfamily.com.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Australia License. To view a copy of this license, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/au/

Sunday, 25 October 2009