Islam orders that one forgive, pardon, and turn away from one who does evil to him.
25- Islam commands thinking good about others, and it forbids spying and backbiting. Allah (Exalted be He) says:
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicion is sin. And spy not, nor backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (Al-Hujurat 49:12)
26- Islam commands that one guard his tongue from all evil talk, and that he use it in that which leads to good, whether to the individual or the society, such as mentioning Allah and reform. It forbids us from letting our tongues loose without any benefit. The Prophet (peace be upon them) said:
“May your mother bereave you O Mu`adh! – an Arabic expression of condemnation in which the literal meaning is not intended. Are people thrown into the Hellfire on their faces or nostrils except for what their tongues reaped?” (At-Tirmidhi)
27- Islam commands with well-treatment of the neighbor and forbids showing them harm. The Prophet said:
“By Allah he is not a true believer! By Allah he is not a true believer! By Allah he is not a true believer!” It was said, “And who is he, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Him whose neighbor is not safe from his evil.” (Al-Bukhari)
28- Islam commands that one seek company with the righteous and forbids that one seek company with the evil. The Prophet said:
“The example of a righteous and evil companion is like one who carries perfume and another who is a blacksmith. As for the one who carries perfume, he will either give you some perfume, you might buy some, or [at least] you will find a pleasing scent with him. As for the blacksmith, either he (the blacksmith) will burn his clothes, or he will find a hideous odor from him.” (Al-Bukhari)
29- Islam orders people to strive to bring harmony to any disunity amongst people, and it prohibits anything which leads to enmity and hatred. Allah says:
There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders sadaqah (charity in Allah’s cause), or ma`ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward. (An-Nisaa’ 4:114)
30- Islam orders that people be sincere to each other (by advising them) and forbids that advice be withheld when it is sought. The Prophet said:
“The religion is sincerity.” We asked, “To whom?” He replied, “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their general folk.” (Muslim)
31- Islam orders people to help relieve worries of Muslims, to give them respite (in paying back debts), and to conceal their faults. The Prophet said:
“Whoever relieves some worry of a believer, Allah will relieve a worry of his on the Day of Judgment. Whoever makes things easy for one in times of hardship (by giving respite to one who is not able to pay back a debt), Allah will makes things easy upon him in this life and the next. And whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his fault in this life and the Hereafter. Allah helps his servant as long as he helps his brother.” (Muslim)
32- Islam orders that one have patience and fortitude in times of hardship, and forbids that one become worried and discontent. Allah says:
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: ‘Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.’ They are those on whom are the Blessings (etc.) from their Lord, and (they are those who) receive His mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones. (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)
33- Islam orders that one forgive, pardon, and turn away from one who does evil to him, and forbids that one seek revenge and retribution. Allah says:
And hurry to (that which leads to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the Muttaqoon (the pious, Allah-fearing). * Those who spend [in Allah’s Cause – deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the muhsinoon (the good doers). (Aal `Imran 3:133, 134)
34- Islam commands mercy and it forbids cold-heartedness. The Prophet said:
“Allah shows mercy to those who show mercy. Show mercy to those on earth, He Who is above the heavens will show mercy to you.” (At-Tirmidhi)
35- Islam commands kindness and softness, and it forbids harshness and strictness. The Prophet said:
“Nothing is done with kindness except that it is beautified, and nothing is devoid of kindness except that it is disfigured.” (Muslim)
36- It commands that one return evil with good, and forbids that one reciprocate evil with the same. Allah says:
And the good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly): then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. (Fussilat 41:34)
37- Islam commands the spreading of knowledge and forbids hiding it. The Prophet said:
“Whoever was asked about knowledge but conceals it, he will be brought on the Day of Resurrection leashed with the muzzles of Hellfire.” (Al-Hakim)
38- Islam commands that Muslims enjoin virtue and righteousness and prevent evil and vice, each according to his ability. The Prophet said:
“Whoever of you sees an evil act, let him change it with his hand, if he is not able, then with his tongue, and if he is not able, then with his heart, and that is the lowest of iman (faith).” (Muslim)
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The article is an excerpt from the author’s book “How to Become a Muslim”.
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