Akhlaq · أَخْلَاق
The manners we misplaced
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ
The Prophet ﷺ said that nothing weighs more on the Scale than good character Abu Dawud 4799, and that "righteousness is good character" Muslim 2553. Here are twenty-four manners, from the Quran and from the lives of the prophets. Pick one, and carry it for a week.
The golden nasiha of the day
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
So surely with hardship comes ease. Surely with hardship comes ease.
The QuranQuran 94:5-6
A new one every day, from the Quran and from the prophets.
The tongue
الصِّدْقTruthfulnessSaying what is true, and being who you say you are.الكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةThe good wordSpeaking to people in the best way, even when you disagree with them.حِفْظُ اللِّسَانGuarding the tongueNot saying behind someone's back what you would never say to their face.تَرْكُ السُّخْرِيَةNot mockingNever laughing at people to make them smaller.إِفْشَاءُ السَّلَامSpreading salamGreeting people with peace, the ones you know and the ones you don't.خَفْضُ الصَّوْتA lowered voiceSpeaking calmly, without shouting people down.
The home
بِرُّ الوَالِدَيْنHonouring parentsBeing good to your mother and father: with your hands, your money, your voice and your face.حَقُّ الجَارThe neighbourThe people who live next to you have a right over you, whoever they are.إِكْرَامُ الضَّيْفHonouring the guestWhoever comes through your door is honoured, and never made to feel like a burden.حُسْنُ العِشْرَةThe spouseLiving with your husband or wife in kindness, on the good days and on all the others.حَقُّ الأَوْلَادChildrenGiving your children time, fairness and respect, not only food and a roof.الاِسْتِئْذَانAsking permissionNot walking into anyone's space, room or life uninvited.
The self
التَّوَاضُعHumilityKnowing your size, and never making anyone else feel small.الحِلْمForbearanceFeeling the anger, and staying in charge of it.الحَيَاءModestyA shyness before Allah that stops you before something ugly.الصَّبْرPatienceHolding steady when life hits you, and not letting go of Allah.الشُّكْرGratitudeNoticing what you have been given, and thanking the Giver and the people He sent.الطَّهَارَةCleanlinessKeeping your body, your clothes, your places and your heart clean.
With people
الوَفَاءُ بِالعَهْدKeeping your wordIf you said it, you do it.الأَمَانَةTrustworthinessWhatever is placed in your hands stays safe: things, secrets, work, people.الرَّحْمَةMercyA soft heart toward everything that can feel: people, children, animals.العَدْلJusticeGiving everyone their right, even when it costs you or your own side.الكَرَمGenerosityAn open hand: giving from what you love, without counting it against people.الرِّفْقGentlenessDoing the right thing in the softest way it can be done.