Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, today’s topic of discussion is What is the Meaning of Akhlaq, types of Akhlaq in Islam, what is Akhlaq e Hamidah, the importance of Akhlaq e Hamidah, what is the meaning of Akhlaq e Jamimah, why is Akhlaq e Jamimah avoidable, and the evil consequences of Akhlaq e Jamimah.
Akhlaq meaning
(أخلاق) The word akhlaq is Arabic, it is the plural of the word (خلق) to open. It means nature, character, behavior, and principle. In English, it is called Character.
What is Akhlaq
In the terminology of Islamic law, a person’s human and moral qualities are called akhlaq.
Types of Akhlaq in Islam
There are two types of morality. Namely:
1. Akhlaq e Hasanah (good character) or Akhlaq e Hamidah (praiseworthy character)
2. Akhlaq e Sayyiah (bad character) or Akhlaq e Jamimah (reproachable character)
Akhlaq e Hamidah meaning
The word Akhlaq means character or nature. And the word Hamida means praiseworthy. Akhlaqe Hamida means praiseworthy character. When a person’s character is overall beautiful and elegant, he is called Akhlaq-e Hamida, or good character. Another name for Akhlaqe Hamida is Akhlaqe Hasanah.
In simple words, the character traits or qualities that are pleasing to Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) are called akhlaq hamida. Akhlaq hamida includes many things. Such as piety, honesty, trustworthiness, keeping promises, justice, speaking the truth, abandoning lies, etc.
The importance of Akhlaq e Hamidah
There are two sides to human character. One destroys a person and the other liberates him. Character can be refined by abstaining from the evil traits that destroy character and by cultivating noble qualities. Allah Almighty sent the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to perfect character. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “I have been sent to perfect good character.” (Bayhaqi)
Good character or akhlaq e hasana is a set of human qualities that develop humanity in humans. Humans are the best creatures in creation. Good character is the main ingredient for human respect, dignity, and greatness in individual, family, and social life.
That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
The best and most complete believers are those who have good character. (Sunan Abu Dawud)
A person can be educated, rich, a leader, a brilliant student, but if he does not possess good character and is a liar, a cheat, a miser, and a bad-tempered person, then he has no value in the family and society. He is an inhumane person among the human race.
Even if one is less educated, wealthy, or talented, if one has good character, people in society respect them. Therefore, to be a real human being, one must have good character.
Wealth makes a person rich; it does not place them in a position of superiority. Rather, a person’s superiority is achieved through their good character.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “The heaviest thing that will be placed on the scales of a believer on the Day of Judgment is good character.” (Kanzul Ummal)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said, “The best among you are those who are the most beautiful in character.” (Sahih Bukhari)
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) showed the world a way of life that is in harmony with human nature. Not only he, but all the prophets and messengers before him who came to the world with the message of salvation for mankind, none of them ignored the needs and requirements of human nature. They were all possessed of good character. Therefore, we must be possessed of good character.
Akhlaq e Jamimah meaning
The word Akhlaq means character or nature. And the word Jamima means reprehensible. Akhlaq Jamima means reprehensible character. When a person’s character is generally ugly and unworthy, he is called Akhlaq Jamima, or bad character. Akhlaq Jamima is the opposite of Akhlaq Hamida. Another name for Akhlaq Jamima is Akhlaq Sayyiah.
In simple words, the nature or character traits that are disliked by Allah and His Messenger (PBUH) are called akhlaq al-jamima. The nature or behavior that is reprehensible and unacceptable is akhlaqe jamima. Akhlaqe Jamima includes many things. Such as – cheating, backbiting, jealousy, fitna-fasad, usury-bribe, giving less than the weight, theft-robbery, snatching, embezzlement, murder-corruption, fornication-adultery, etc.
The consequences of Akhlaq-e-Jamimah
Reckless behavior, ignoring Islamic norms and values, is considered immoral or bad character. Bad character reduces people to the level of animals. As a result, people lose their sense of conscience. In today’s society, people feel a lack of security due to the widespread spread of bad character in every field. Therefore, Islam has declared all bad character forbidden. Allah Almighty says,
“Let there arise from among you a group inviting to goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; it is they who are the successful.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:104)
Therefore, everyone must build resistance so that the environment is not polluted due to someone’s bad behavior. Because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“When one of you sees an evil deed being done, he should change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his mouth; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart. And that is the weakest of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)
A person with bad character is hated in society. No one loves him. Everyone avoids him. He is disobedient to Allah. Because of this, a person with bad character will suffer a miserable fate in the afterlife. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
“A wicked and cruel person will not enter Paradise.” (Abu Dawud)
The evil effects of immorality are very terrible. It brings disaster to personal, family, social, and even state life. A person with immorality is worse than an animal. He is human only in name, but his nature and character are like an animal. He does not hesitate to sacrifice all ideals to achieve his interests. Because of immorality, he does not hesitate to do all kinds of obscene acts. And this is why anarchy spreads in society.
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