Character (Akhlaq)
Honesty, humility, patience, the tongue, and the diseases of the heart.
- Is lying ever allowed in Islam? Lying is a serious sin and a sign of hypocrisy. The Prophet ﷺ made a narrow exception in three situations: making peace between people, in war, and in what spouses say to each other to please one another. Even these are about preventing harm and bringing hearts together, never about cheating anyone of their rights.
- What does Islam say about keeping promises? Keeping your word is a trait of believers and prophets, and Allah says every commitment will be asked about. Habitually breaking promises is one of the signs of a hypocrite. If you truly cannot keep a promise, explain honestly and make amends; saying "inshallah" is a sincere reliance on Allah, not a loophole.
- Are white lies or lying as a joke okay in Islam? Joking is allowed, but lying while joking is not. The Prophet ﷺ joked, yet said, "I do not say except what is true", and warned "woe" to the one who lies to make people laugh. Small "white lies", including to children, are still recorded as lies, so look for a kind and honest way to say things instead.
- How can I be humble? Humility means not seeing yourself as above others and accepting the truth from anyone. The Prophet ﷺ practised it in ordinary ways: helping at home, letting anyone approach him, and refusing excessive praise. He promised that whoever humbles himself for Allah, Allah raises him.
- Is it arrogant to want to look good or wear nice clothes? No. When a man asked whether loving fine clothes and shoes was pride, the Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah is Graceful and He loves Grace", and defined pride as "disdaining the truth" and "contempt for the people". Looking good is fine; looking down on others, or showing off to feel superior, is the problem.
- What is the reward of good character in Islam? Enormous. The Prophet ﷺ said nothing is heavier on the believer's scale on the Day of Judgment than good character, that it can reach the rank of someone who fasts by day and prays by night, and that those with the best character will be nearest to him on the Day of Judgment.
- What is sabr (patience) in Islam, and what are its types? Sabr is holding yourself steady for Allah's sake: staying firm in obeying Him, holding back from what He forbids, and bearing hardship without objecting to His decree. It is not passive waiting. Allah says He is "with the patient" and that they receive their reward "without account".
- What should I say and do when something bad happens or someone dies? Say "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (we belong to Allah and to Him we will return), and the dua the Prophet ﷺ taught: "O Allah, reward me for my affliction and give me something better than it in exchange". Tears are allowed; what patience asks is that you avoid words of objection to Allah, especially in the first moments.
- Why does Allah test us with hardship? The Quran says life itself was created as a test "which of you is best in deed". Trials reveal true faith, purify believers, wipe away sins and raise ranks. The Prophet ﷺ said the most severely tested people are the prophets, so hardship is not proof that Allah is displeased with you.
- What does Islam say about gossip, tale-carrying and spreading rumours? Carrying tales between people to stir up bad feeling (namimah) is a major sin: the Prophet ﷺ said the tale-bearer will not enter Paradise. Spreading unverified rumours is also condemned in the Quran. When you hear something, verify it, think well of the people involved, and either stay silent or speak to make peace.
- Is it still backbiting if what I say is true? When is it allowed to talk about someone? Yes. The Prophet ﷺ said that if what you say is true it is backbiting, and if it is false it is slander (buhtan): a lie on top of backbiting. There are limited exceptions with a real need, such as complaining about an injustice, seeking advice or a ruling, or honestly warning someone before a marriage or business deal, as long as you say only what is needed.
- Is swearing and cursing haram in Islam? Yes, foul language and cursing people are forbidden. The Prophet ﷺ said the believer "does not insult the honor of others, nor curse, nor commit Fahishah, nor is he foul", and that abusing a Muslim is sinful behaviour. Allah is angered by obscene speech, and good words are heavy on the scale.
- What is backbiting (gheebah) and how do I stop? Backbiting is mentioning someone in their absence in a way they would dislike, even if it is true. The Quran compares it to eating your dead brother's flesh. To stop, guard your tongue, change or leave conversations that turn to gossip, defend the absent person, and repent, including by speaking well of anyone you backbit.
- How do I deal with jealousy and envy (hasad)? Hasad is resenting a blessing someone else has, and it is a disease of the heart the Prophet ﷺ told us to avoid. A passing feeling you dislike and resist is not the same as acting on it. The cure is to accept Allah's distribution, ask Him for His bounty instead of wanting someone else's taken away, pray for blessing for the other person, and wish for them what you wish for yourself.
- Is it wrong to wish I had what someone else has? Wishing for good like someone else's, without wanting it taken from them, is not the forbidden envy. The Prophet ﷺ even encouraged it for two things: wealth spent in good causes and knowledge acted upon and taught. The Quran encourages racing one another in good, while warning against coveting worldly things Allah gave others.
- What is riya (showing off), and should I stop doing good deeds in public? Riya is doing worship or good deeds so that people will see and praise you. The Prophet ﷺ called it hidden shirk and warned that such deeds are rejected. But the cure is to fix your intention, not to abandon good deeds; if people praise you for something you did for Allah, the Prophet ﷺ called that glad tidings for the believer.
- What is arrogance (kibr) in Islam, and why is it so serious? The Prophet ﷺ defined arrogance as "disdaining the truth" and "contempt for the people", and warned that whoever has even a mustard seed's weight of it in his heart will not enter Paradise. It was the sin of Iblis, who refused to bow and said, "I am better than him."