The ManicaPost
Moral integrity and upright conduct are held in high esteem by all people and all religions. They are a fundamental part of the Message of all the Prophets of The Almighty (peace be upon them all), so much so that the last of the Prophets — Muhammad (peace be upon him) — said: “I was sent (specifically) to perfect good moral character.”
There is no need to speak at lengths on this point, since it is something about which all people agree. You find that even those who campaign against moral character and act immorally and unscrupulously invariably speak highly of moral character and admit to its virtue.
No need to make a show
A person might adopt good manners under certain circumstances, simply because they are prevailing or he might do so little by little. Even this is something good. Abu Darda said — and some narrations have him attribute the words to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him): “Knowledge is attained only through learning and gentleness is attained only through being gentle.
Whoever is intent on attaining goodness will be given it and whoever keeps away from evil will be spared it.”
However, it is not at all praiseworthy for a person to make a show of good character in order to take advantage of others or win them over for some personal benefit or ulterior motive. The true test of a person’s moral fibre is constancy. This is why the old Arabic saying goes: “You see the true character of people when you travel with them.”
First test of moral character
A person’s true character shows forth when he is at home in how he deals with his wife through the long years, in hardship and ease, when things are going well and when things go wrong. This is where he has to hold himself together and where his patience is tested. His ability to keep clear of vanities, to remain clement and tolerant, and to exhibit good conduct are all tested by his married life and his family life.
The same can be said regarding friendships when a person is constant and sincere regardless of the changing circumstances. How often does a person see his friend as the one whom he can rely on in need, only to find that “friend” adds to his hardships when that time of need arrives? Long term acquaintance and association reveal how substantial or superficial a person’s moral character really is.
The test of power
There is another important test of moral character that shows how true or false a person’s morals are, and that is the test of power. A person who is weak might exhibit good moral conduct and present a passive, subdued disposition. He does not do so because it is part of his nature, but simply because he does not have the power to behave in any other way.
The Arabic poet al-Mutanabbi said: Oppression is human nature, so if you find someone abstaining from it, there is some reason why. Perhaps al-Mutanabbî borrowed these words from Aristotle who said: “Oppression is part of human nature. Only one of two reasons withhold people from it: religiousness or fear of reprisal.”
When a person is in a position of strength, then his true moral character shows forth. If a person who attains power, wealth, or prestige continues to uphold his moral values, maintains his affection for others, remains humble, and shows clemency to those who ill treat him, this is a sign of the true nobility of his character and the true goodness of his person. Alas, how often do we find people who are not corrupted by power, fame, and sudden wealth?
How to behave in disagreement?
A third test of moral character is disagreement. Most people exhibit good conduct with those who agree with them and share their way of thinking, on account of their common interests. However, when differences arise, whether ideological or material, people tend to expose their true selves.
A person of dignity and good character will remain composed and sensible. He will articulate his disagreements in a clear and precise manner. Moreover, he will be respectful when doing so and avoid accusative, insulting, and offensive language.
His moral character will prevent him from conducting himself in a mean and lowly fashion, so he will be able to retain his composure while talking to others, in spite of his disagreement with them. He will not react emotionally in a way that detracts from his character and merely demonstrates his inability to prevail on the strength of his opinion.
Another person, in the same situation, will start cursing and hurling accusations at his opponents, acting as if only he is right and everyone else is by necessity wrong. His misplaced anger will destroy the edifice of his good character. He may go so far to concoct lies and make false claims. He might resort to deceptive arguments to make his opponents stumble and deliberately take the words of others out of context.
People like to say that disagreements do not spoil their interpersonal relationships and it is good that they say so, but what really counts is how they conduct themselves in actual practice, not just in theory. “And do not let the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just. That is nearer to piety.” (Ch 5 : V 8)
When will we come to realise that sometimes our motives stem from our own temperaments and emotions, though we might mistake them for religious conviction?
When will our moral values and principles translate from theory into a practical way of life, into something that endures throughout our lives and throughout our relationships, no matter how long they last?
They must be values that stay with us even if we become powerful or attain to high administrative office, or a prominent media spot, or social prestige, or success in business. They must endure even when we disagree with one another, so we do not have to be always faced with the choice of either destroying our relationships or remaining silent whenever we disagree or see someone making a mistake.
- For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications Department P.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare Tel: 04-614078/ 614004, Fax: 04-614003 e-mail: [email protected]
