Ramadhan Reflection -- Measure Our Character With The Quran

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

We have a few more days before this blessed month of Ramadhan leaves us. Let's try to make up where we fall short, and avoid disobedience and the forbidden at all cost. Such immense rewards are to be gained during these blessed ten days and nights. How can we afford to miss out on them? Who is to say that we will live to see the next Ramadhan?

We must make the best of these remaning last ten days and nights of Ramadhan. Read lots of Quran. Work on our character and show exemplary character.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [at-Tirmidhi]. So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed days and nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.

If we wish for good character, we should look at the Qur'an and never ever leave it.

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam was only sent to perfect noble character. The greatest and the most distinguishing aspect of the Prophet's person sallallahu alayhi wasallam was his character. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says about his character,

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ ﴿٤

And indeed, you are of a great moral character. (4) [Qur'an, Al-Qalam 68:4]

The Prophet's character sallallahu alayhi wassallam was named tremendous because he had no concern except Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Himself. His sole motive was Allah. Everything he did was for Allah Himself. Even in the littlest things he manifested excellence and beauty. This excellence and beauty in conduct is summarized in one verse of the Qur'an:

خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ‌ بِٱلْعُرْ‌فِ وَأَعْرِ‌ضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ ﴿١٩٩

Be easy going, uphold the good, and turn away from the ignorant. (199) [Qur'an, Al-A'raf 7:199]

Sa’ad (Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once I went to Aisha and her father (Allah be pleased with them both) and asked them about the character and conduct of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wassallam to which Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) replied: Don't you read the Qur'an? I said: Yes. She said: The character of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wassallam is the Qur'an.

If you want to see perfect manners, you have to look at the Prophetic example (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). For that you should read the Qur'an attentively and know the meanings because the Qur'an details the character that is pleasing to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

Every virtue that is expressed in the Qur'an, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) possessed it in the most perfect. The basis of the tremendous character of the Prophet(sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was his gentleness with his ummah and his honoring them. This is part of proper manners. In general we strive to uphold gentleness with people. They return to mercy.

"The merciful is granted mercy by the Merciful."

Islamic manners are the most refined. Islam advocates adab and proper manners so as to perfect our personality. How you act with people refines your character. They take care of the feelings of even the weakest, humblest or youngest in any group or community.

Once Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked how was the character of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, she recited the first ten verses of Surah al-Mu'minun.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَـٰشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِ‌ضُونَ ﴿٣﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَو‌ٰةِ فَـٰعِلُونَ ﴿٤﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُ‌وجِهِمْ حَـٰفِظُونَ ﴿٥﴾ إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَ‌ٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ‌ مَلُومِينَ ﴿٦﴾ فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَ‌آءَ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ ﴿٧﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَـٰنَـٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَ‌ٰ‌عُونَ ﴿٨﴾ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَ‌ٰتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٩﴾ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْوَ‌ٰرِ‌ثُونَ ﴿١٠

Certainly will the believers have succeeded: (1) They who are during their prayer humbly submissive (2) And they who turn away from ill speech (3) And they who are observant of zakah (4) And they who guard their private parts (5) Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they will not be blamed - (6) But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors - (7) And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive (8) And they who carefully maintain their prayers - (9) Those are the inheritors (10) [Qur'an, Al-Mu'minun 23:1-10]

Allah taught our Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) adab (manners) and propriety through the Quran. His character is the Quran. The Quranic standard for character is very high. We should measure our character with it. When we read the Quran, we have to measure our behavior with it. And we are supposed to feel broken and we are supposed to work hard to achieve such lofty character.

That's why we should read the Quran with reflection. We should always apply what we read to our own selves. It is important to know that when we learn something, this is from Allah, and that Allah wants us to learn that something in that particular moment. Likewise, every time we are in a learning session or listening to a lecture or a sermon, we should always apply the knowledge to our own selves. It is a big mistake if we apply knowledge to other people.

If we recite the Quran regularly and follow its teachings, we will have beautiful character.

If we have certain bad traits, changing them may not be easy but if we sincerely want to change and ask Allah for His help, nothing is difficult with Allah's help.

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says,


وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ ۖ فَلْيَسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِى وَلْيُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِى لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْشُدُونَ ﴿١٨٦

And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me that they may be [rightly] guided. (186)[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:186]

May Allah help us rid off all our blameworthy traits and replace them with praiseworthy traits. May Allah enable us to follow in the footsteps of His beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and grant us noble character. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam