| Perfecting One's Character
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.) used to make a number of supplications related to good
character.
"O Allah, guide me to good character, none guides to good character but You..."
(Muslim)
"O Allah, I seek refuge in you from bad character, deeds and desires."
(Tirmidhee)
"O Allah, You perfectly created me, so perfect my character." (Ahmad)
"O Allah, I seek refuge in you from disability and laziness; from cowardice and
avarice; from decrepitude and harshness; from negligence and impoverishment,
from lowness and humiliation. And I seek refuge in You from poverty and
disbelief; from sinfulness, disunity and hypocrisy; from notability and Riya
(showing off)..." (Ahmad, Maalik, Bazaar, Haithami and Ibn Abd al-Barr
authenticated it)
The following beneficial excerpt is from "The Magnificent Journey" by Ibn ul
Qayyim (published by QSS). It explains three conditions needed to acquire good
manners, meaning proper nature, controlling one's Nafs and sound knowledge.
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Three Conditions to Acquire Excellent Manners
This is one example of the excellent manners with which Allah (Taala) has
equipped his Messenger (p.b.u.h.). He described him as,
"Verily, You (Muhammad) are on an exalted standard on character." (68:4)
Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) described him as, "His character was just
(a reflection of) the Quran." (Muslim, Abu Dawood, Ahmad)
Such excellent character cannot be attained without three conditions:
1. The foundation must be good. If one has a rough and dry nature, it will be
hard for him to submit to this (excellence of character) through knowledge,
will, or practice. On the other hand, a mild and smooth nature will be ready and
willing to receive the plowing and the seeds (to prepare it for character
excellence).
2. The soul must be strong and capable of conquering calls of laziness,
transgression, and desire. Those matters contradict perfection, and souls which
cannot defeat them will always be defeated and conquered.
3. (One must possess) a discerning knowledge of the truth of matters, enabling
one to put them in the rightful position, and to distinguish between flash and
cancer - between glass and jewels.
If these three qualities are present in a man, and Allah's facilitation helps
him, then he will be among those whom the best (Husnaa) has been decreed and for
whom Allah's care has been secured.
By: Imam Ibn ul Qayyim al Jawziyyah
Source: islaam.com
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