Religion is a set of divine rules that governs people’s relationship with themselves, their Lord, and all of creation in this worldly life. These divine guidelines, aimed at ensuring a life of happiness and peace both in this world and the Hereafter, can be categorized into three main areas: faith, worship, and morality. These three areas, which are inseparably connected, encompass numerous commands, prohibitions, and recommendations within religion. Morality, in particular, as the practical outcome of faith and worship, constitutes the essence of religion. Indeed, in the hadith, “I was sent to perfect good character” (Muwatta, Husn al-Khulq, 8; Musnad, XIV/513), the Prophet Muhammad (saw) emphasizes morality as the purpose of his mission.
The hadith above is just one of the countless invaluable messages the Prophet Muhammad (saw) gave to Muslims, encouraging them to adorn their faith with Islamic ethics and strive for its perfection. The hadith effectively underscores that a believer cannot harbor negative behaviors, particularly harmful speech that would sow seeds of hatred and enmity among people. Four key traits are highlighted as qualities that should not be found in a believer. According to this:
True believers are not reproachful
The term “reproachful” mentioned in the hadith refers to someone who constantly finds fault with others. Additionally, to reproach also means to insult others’ honor and dignity, to slander, or to criticize them. Indeed, wise believers should focus on their own shortcomings and refrain from blaming, defaming, or criticizing others for their faults and imperfections. Instead, they should take heed of the Prophet’s (saw) guidance: “The clever person is the one who subjugates his soul, and works for what is after death.” (Tirmidhi, Sifat al-Qiyamah, 25) With this in mind, a believer should concentrate on addressing their own flaws. In this regard, a true believer’s stance is best embodied in holding fast to Rumi’s principle: “Be like the night when covering the faults of others.”
True believers do not curse
The concept of cursing, which signifies being distanced from Allah’s forgiveness and mercy, is considered a worse behavior than the act of reproaching mentioned in the previous point. For when a person curses their believing brother, it means they wish for him to be distant from Allah’s mercy. However, believers are required to want for their fellow believers the same things they love and desire for themselves. Furthermore, just as the limbs of a single body are interconnected, whatever troubles one part should also affect the others. Not only is it unacceptable to harbor such feelings, but withholding divine mercy from a believing brother is not much different from throwing him into the fire alive. At this point, the saying of our Prophet, “Cursing of a believer is tantamount to killing him” (Muslim, Iman, 110), becomes much clearer. Just as killing a person deprives them of worldly blessings, cursing a believer signifies wishing for their deprivation of spiritual rewards in the Hereafter, which is why it is equated with murder.
Cursing believers is not only wrong; it is equally inappropriate to direct such behavior toward others, including all living beings. Setting aside certain exceptional circumstances, it is far more commendable for noble believers to wish for guidance and righteousness for nonMuslims rather than cursing them, desiring that they too may be blessed with eternal mercy in the Hereafter.
The speech of true believers is not impudent
In the hadith, the term “impudence” refers to all kinds of ugly words that stem from the tongue, such as lying, mocking, cursing, and insulting. It is essential for believers, who are prohibited from staying in a state of resentment or anger for more than three days, to avoid any falsehoods, mockery, and coarse or indecent language that may lead to hurt feelings and destroy the bridges of affection between them. This avoidance is one of the fundamental principles of Islamic morality. Believers take to heart the verse, “As the two recording angels—(one) sitting to the right, and (the other to) the left— note (everything), not a word does a person utter without having a (vigilant) observer ready (to write it down).” (Qaf, 50:17-18), and live with the awareness that every word they utter will be accounted for in the Hereafter. They strive to ensure that nothing emerges from their mouths that would displease Allah, whether consciously or unconsciously.
The behavior of true believers is not indecent
While the previous three points address aspects that a believer must observe in their verbal conduct, this final concept (albadhi’) encompasses both words and actions and is more appropriately translated as “modesty” or “decency.” Decency, which is the most beautiful manifestation of faith, is the trait that reminds people of their humanity and distinguishes them from other beings that lack free will. In societies that lose this virtue, storms of immorality can erode all boundaries. People who lose their sense of decency may engage in many actions and words that contradict the very purpose of their creation. For this reason, the Prophet (saw) said, “One of the sayings of the early Prophets which the people have got is: “If you don’t feel ashamed, do whatever you like” (Bukhari, Adab, 78). This statement highlights that decency serves as the most important barrier against immoral and wicked actions.
Therefore, the most fundamental duty of believers, who are adorned with faith and worship, is to ensure that in all interactions and communications, whether with fellow believers or with all other human beings, they never stray from the core of Islam, which is good character and moral values. At this point, regardless of who they are dealing with, believers must let decency govern their speech and actions, striving to reflect the beauty and ethics of Islam in every aspect of their lives.
