Good manners (Akhlaq) are the strongest foundation of every religion. A person’s behaviour with others shows what kind of character and spiritual training he has. In today’s world, many problems and fitnah spread because of harsh speech and bad language. Hurting someone through words is a major sin and even destroys homes. Let’s bring good manners back into our society by following some simple and practical steps.

Speaking The Truth

Speaking the truth is the identity of a true Muslim. Truth keeps a person satisfied and gives him courage. On the other hand, lying removes the brightness from a person’s face and keeps him restless all the time. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah has said that the curse of Allah is upon those who lie.

Therefore, always speak the truth, even if it goes against you. And children must be taught and corrected about this matter regularly.

Respecting Parents

Good character begins with treating parents with kindness. Serving them, obeying them, and fulfilling their wishes with happiness is actually an honour for us. From childhood until we grow up, parents spend their wealth, time, and energy on us — and we can never repay what they have done.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Paradise lies under the feet of the mother,” and “The father is the gate of Paradise.” This shows that parents are like a direct path to Jannah for us.

Allah says in the Qur’an: “Do not even say ‘uff’ to your parents.”
From this command, we learn how important it is to respect and serve our parents with full sincerity.

Helping Others

After serving and obeying one’s parents, the next important duty is kindness towards relatives, because blood relatives are closest to us and must be treated well regardless of how they treat us. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Maintain ties with the one who connects with you, and even if someone breaks ties with you, you still maintain ties with them,” showing that keeping family ties is a righteous act. We should also help people in their difficulties, whether financially or emotionally, and avoid insulting or mocking anyone’s appearance, height, or color, as this brings Allah’s displeasure. Allah created every person with wisdom, so no one has the right to look down on or hurt others. If you cannot help someone, refuse politely and gently rather than with anger or harshness, as this noble character reflects the true spirit of Islam.

Controlling Anger by Sunnah

Anger is one of the most harmful and destructive things in today’s world; people ruin their own and their loved ones’ lives because of anger, and a single angry sentence can destroy an entire home. Anger is the strongest weapon of Shaytan, who whispers, “They insulted your honor — how can you stay silent?” If two people are arguing and even one of them controls their anger, the biggest fight can end immediately. Islam teaches several Sunnah methods to control anger:

• when anger rises, leave the place immediately to cool the mind
• recite A‘oodhu billahi min ash-shaytaanir-rajeem to seek Allah’s protection;
• if standing, sit down, and if sitting, lie down, as this reduces pressure on the mind;
• the best Sunnah method is to perform wudu which cools both the body and the mind — and if some anger still remains, pray two Nafil.

InshaAllah, acting upon these Sunnahs will surely bring benefit.