So, what kind of courtesy should be shown to the Creator? It is the ability to perform acts of worship, and more importantly, to do so with both courtesy and purity. In other words, worship should not be carried out merely as a ritual duty but rather with profound love and devotion. Recognizing one’s mortality and helplessness in the presence of Allah is also an essential part of this courtesy. We must also treat the world with courtesy, recognizing it as a trust granted to us by Allah the Almighty. This is because a Muslim is a refined, graceful, and compassionate person. It is not only important to fulfill the five pillars of Islam but also crucial to consider how they are performed. The path to understanding this lies in turning to the Qur’an and viewing those who live the sunnah in its full truth as mirrors to guide us in refining ourselves. Courtesy is one of the essential attributes of a Muslim. I cannot even imagine a Muslim devoid of courtesy.

What does courtesy regulate in human life, and what behaviors does it introduce into our lives within the context of social etiquette?

A person is obligated to be well-mannered. Unfortunately, adab al-mu’asharat (social etiquette) is being lost within the increasingly populist culture of the 21st century, and it is the Muslims who must be conscious of this. A Muslim must serve as an example, highlighting courtesy in their conduct, communication, expressions, and mannerisms. It is crucial for others to notice this courtesy and say, “What a wonderful person,” not merely because of their preaching, but because of the way they represent their faith. A Muslim who preserves and upholds proper etiquette in all aspects of life fulfills the responsibilities of their religion. Acting otherwise puts one under serious moral accountability.

A wise saying from an elder emphasizes this point: “You behave admirably in the mosque, but if you cannot maintain the same conduct once you leave, it is not acceptable.” Similarly, during Ramadan, while fasting, we treat each other with great kindness and grace. However, once Ramadan ends, we often revert to rough and careless behavior. Every moment of our lives should be lived with this same refinement and elegance.

Could you evaluate the importance of courtesy in ensuring a healthy society and social order?

In the time we live in, unfortunately, we are witnessing a significant rise in hatred. Following the end of the Cold War, the dominant ideology has become one of hatred. People have become isolated, corrupted, and deprived. As a result, many find themselves in a state of rebellion against Allah the Almighty. They may still fulfill their religious duties, but they do so without inner peace and tranquility, often complaining in the process. Refraining from complaining to Allah is a profound act of courtesy. A Muslim is grateful for everything, even for trials and hardships, believing there is wisdom behind them. When faced with affliction, the saying of Ali (ra) comes to mind. When asked whether a difficulty is a test or simply a misfortune, he replied, “It depends on how you perceive it”. In other words, it depends on the lessons one derives from it and how it is understood. Thus, patience alone is not sufficient as an expression of courtesy. Gratitude holds immense importance. By making gratitude a dominant part of our lives, we preserve our courtesy towards both Allah and those around us. For this reason, gratitude is an inseparable element of courtesy in our lives. All of these reflect how etiquette manifests itself in a cyclical and interconnected manner.

When we consider courtesy as a virtue that strengthens the culture of living and social harmony, what can we do to spread the awareness of courtesy from individuals to society?

This is a matter of education and culture. Every human being is born noble, upon the natural disposition of Islam (fitrah), but there is a necessity to develop and refine this nature. Therefore, when we are brought into life, we must understand it as a process of learning and growth. Courtesy itself has the quality of evolving and perfecting over time. One of the most significant aspects of Islam, which also serves as a key concept for all social sciences, is the phenomenon of self-perfection (kamal). Islam is founded on the principle of continuous self-improvement and development. A Muslim must feel the need to embody both ethical and aesthetic values. This process of self-perfection is what courtesy aims to fulfill. It is, therefore, our fundamental duty.

Another important concept is civilization. In the life of the Prophet (saw), two journeys hold great significance. One of these is the Mi‘raj, the ascension from the worldly to the spiritual realm, reaching the pinnacle of courtesy and divine connection. The second is the hijrah, during which the Prophet (saw) departed from a corrupt and decaying society in Mecca, embarking on a significant journey to Medina (formerly Yathrib, a place burdened with turmoil and strife). Through his leadership, he transformed it into a thriving civilization. This process signifies the journey of self-perfection, culminating in the Asr al-Sa‘adah (Era of Bliss), which represents the ideal state to aspire to. This, in essence, is our fundamental duty. Let us examine the life of the Prophet (saw), where courtesy reigned supreme. How did he exemplify this? Did he ever raise his voice, reprimand others, or complain about the constant stream of questions he received? Did he ever say, “Please leave me alone,” or express frustration with those around him?

With the spread of communication driven by globalization and social networks, the erosion of our moral values, including virtues such as courtesy and respect, has become one of today’s challenges. What are your recommendations for addressing these issues?

The diagnosis is spot on. Philosophers and wise individuals around the world are saying the same thing: the world is in a state of incredible moral decay. What is the cause of this? Unfortunately, modern society has become a consumer society shaped by the latest form of capitalism. People consume everything, yet they remain unaware of it. In truth, they are consuming themselves. Humanity is being depleted, and human values are eroding.

When we look at the 21st century, we observe a culture and art that are increasingly being reduced to a “fast-food” model. In fact, we are beginning to see the gradual disappearance of both culture and art. Humanity is losing its essence, becoming robotic and mechanized. In social sciences, this phenomenon, where humans are increasingly controlled by machines, has been termed “post-human.” We are living in an era of transhumanism, a period marked by the departure from true humanity.

The emphasis on courtesy has unfortunately started to be belittled by certain groups today. So, how can we overcome this situation? If things continue this way, we will lose our civilization. How can this be prevented? Here, Muslims have a crucial responsibility: to uphold the sunnah of courtesy within their religion and represent it in their lives. We need to teach this in schools, within families, and in work environments. In the upbringing of a child, courtesy, proper conduct, the rulings of the Qur’an, Muslim etiquette, and appropriate behavior are taught at every stage. These rituals and practices cannot be dismissed, yet we have been deprived of them. In today’s world, everything is rushed, everything and everyone is tied to money, and in the process, people have lost their spiritual essence. For example, in Islam, the concept of “spending” as it exists in modern consumerism does not exist. The word for “consumption” is also absent. Spending in the material sense equates to destruction. In Islamic expressions, one does not ask, “How did you spend your money?” but rather, “How did you perform infaq (charitable giving)?”

Finally, what message would you like to convey to our readers?

Adab al-mu’asharat can be read about, but it must also be lived through practice. When we talk about adab al-mu’asharat and courtesy, there are three key periods in our history. The first period is when we matured within the Turkish-Islamic civilization. After the Turks were honored by embracing Islam, this period was characterized by the integration of courtesy as a central value through the teachings of the Qur’an, the sunnah, and the ethics of sufism. The second period began in the 19th century with the Tanzimat reforms, during which the concepts of etiquette and proper conduct began to Westernize. At that time, efforts were made by some to separate Islam from social life by introducing a different system of etiquette. If you examine the adab al-mu’asharat manuals from the 19th century, you will see that they largely involved the translation and adaptation of Western European etiquette books. This marked the starting point of a transition from our own civilization to Western civilization, incorporating Western courtesy into our society. The third period is the current era of globalization, where fast[1]food culture and populism have led to a complete disregard for courtesy. This is a period where courtesy is being entirely sidelined. If you ask what we can do to overcome this, the answer is art. Islam is ebru (marbling), qati‘ (paper cutting), miniature art, and music. The essence of the matter is the refinement of the soul. Young people, life is incomplete without art! Make it a priority to learn one of the Islamic arts. It will teach you patience, show you how your teacher works with courtesy, and guide you through the traditional practice. As you practice and produce beautiful works, you will gradually realize that you, yourself, are one of Allah’s finest creations. The greatest work a person can create is the art of self-development and perfection based on the blessings Allah has granted. Islamic art is a key that opens hearts. If you wish to open hearts, engage in art.