Qualities of Ideal Muslims in Relation with Allâh
By Mamarinta-Omar Mababaya and Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
The ideal Muslims in Islâm are those who possess the characteristics or qualities of believers as defined in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The true Islâmic personality of believing Muslims, as defined in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah, embraces their total beings. This covers their relations to their Rabb (Only Cherisher and Sustainer), to themselves, to their respective families (parents, spouses and children), to their relatives, neighbors and friends, to their respective communities, as well as to the society as a whole.
As much as possible, we Muslims must strive to attain total personality development for the pleasure of Allâh the Almighty so that we attain ultimate rewards and success. In order to be rewarded, we must work for our total personality development in accordance with the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. It is a must that we obey Allâh and His Messenger (s.a.w). Allâh the Most High commands us:
“O you who believe! Obey Allâh, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad) and render not vain your deeds.” (47:33)
From the above divine injunction, the criteria for personality development must be based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), Allâh's Messenger to the whole humanity, possesses an exalted standard of character (i.e., sublime morals) (Qur’ân 68:4) and is an excellent example for us to follow. Allâh the Almighty tells us that His Messenger (s.a.w) is the best model for us to follow. He says:
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad ) you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much. (33:21)
In an authentic Hâdîth we read that the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself said:
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “I have been sent (as a Messenger) in the best of all generations of Adam’s offspring since the Creation.” (Bukhâri 4/757)
For our guidance and success, we should follow Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) who has the best personality. Allâh the Exalted tells us:
“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures); ¾ in the Torah and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil. He allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure). He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the Light which is sent down with him,¾ it is they who will prosper.” (7: 157)
As Muslims, we must strive to develop our personality by having the best manners and character as defined in the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. The reason for this is when we develop and excel in our Islâmic personality, we become among the righteous believers who will attain the ultimate success in the eternal world to come. Allâh promises the believers and those who do righteous deeds everlasting reward, which is Paradise. He says:
“But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness We shall soon admit them to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath, ¾ to dwell therein forever. Allâh’s promise is the truth, and whose word can be truer than Allâh’s?” (4:122)
“But those who believe and work righteousness and humble themselves before their Rabb they will be Companions of the Garden to dwell therein for aye!” (11:23)
“But whoever believes and works righteousness he shall have a goodly reward and easy will be his task as We order it by Our command." (18:88)
When Allâh, the Almighty, rewards us Paradise we attain our ultimate Goal. That is to be able to see Allâh. The greatest bliss in Paradise is the Good Pleasure of Allâh, which is the supreme triumph (9:72). We will be very pleased to see Allâh; and the Almighty will also be pleased with us (98:. Allâh, the Exalted, says:
“Allâh has promised to Believers, men and women, Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein ,and beautiful mansions in Gardens of everlasting stay. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allâh. That is the supreme triumph.” (9:72)
“The reward is with Allâh: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which, rivers flow. They will dwell therein forever. Allâh well pleased with them, and they with Him ¾ all this for such as fear their Rabb.” (98:
In addition to the above Qur’ânic Ayât, are the following Ahâdîth, which should inspire us more to spend our time wisely (and not to waste it) to developing our character for the pleasure of Allâh:
Abdullah Bin Amr (r.a.) narrated that Allâh's Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “…The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” (Bukhâri 4/759)
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Among the Muslims the most perfect, as regards his faith, is the one whose character is excellent, and the best among you are those who treat their wives well.” (Tirmidhi 628)
Abu Darda (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “There is nothing heavier than good character put in the scale of a believer on the Day of Resurrection.” (Abu Dawud, 4781)
Abu Darda (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Nothing is weightier in the scales of a believer on the Day of Judgment than his good behavior. Allâh treats with displeasure a person who is given to loose and vulgar talk.” (Tirmidhi 626)
Abu Umamah t narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right; , a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking; and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.” (Abu Dawud 4782)
Abdur Rahman Bin Ghanam t and Asma Bint Yazid narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “The best servants of Allâh are those who, when they are seen, cause Allâh to be remembered. The worst servants of Allâh are those who go about slandering, who separate friends, and seek to distress the upright." (Tirmidhi 4871 and Ahmad)
We Muslims must follow the Messenger Allâh (s.a.w.) who has the best personality and who calls people to Islâm. We must follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) because by doing so, we please Allâh the Almighty and earn His ultimate reward. We must work hard to follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) whose mission is to convey the Message of Islâm. Let us help one another in enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. The Almighty not only praises those Muslims (men and women) who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong but also promises His Mercy to them:
“You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind. You enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allâh...” (3:110)
“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one to another. They enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil. They observe regular prayers, pay zakat and obey Allâh and His Messenger. On them will Allâh pour His mercy: for Allâh is Exalted in power, Wise.” (9:71)
Certainly, it is righteousness to develop our personality and be effective Du’ât based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah by enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. We Muslims must work for righteous deeds especially through effective speeches in conveying the Message of Islâm so that we will be among those whom Allâh will admit in Paradise.
“Truly, Allâh will admit those who believe and work righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow. They shall be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and pearls; and their garments there will be of silk. For they have been guided (in this life) to the purest of speeches; they have been guided to the Path of Him Who is Worthy of (all) Praise.” (22:23-24)
Let us show our love and devotion to Allâh and earn His ultimate reward by following His Messenger (s.a.w.). We must remember that one way by which we show love to our Creator is by following the Prophet (s.a.w.). Allâh the Most High tells us:
“Say: "If you do love Allâh follow me: Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins for Allâh is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (3:31)
Let us follow the Prophet (s.a.w.) in conveying Islâm to others, as it is his very Sunnah. To do this, we must have first of all the correct knowledge of Islâm . This is not only essential but also a divine commandment from Allâh, which we must do. The Most High says:
Say (O Muhammad): “This is my Way; I do invite unto Allâh with a certain knowledge. And whoever follows me (must also invite others to Allâh, Oneness of Allâh with sure knowledge). Glory to Allâh! And I am not of the polytheists.” (12: 108)
The above injunction implies that to be successful in our Da’wah, we must have the correct knowledge of the Qur’ân and the Sunnah. These divine sources of knowledge provide us the essential qualities and characteristics of ideal Muslims (men and women) which we must develop in ourselves as Muslims.
The Qur’ân and the Sunnah/authentic Ahâdîth guide Muslims on how to develop completely as the best among mankind who deserve Allâh’s eternal reward. Both sources of Islâmic knowledge tell us the criteria of ideal Muslims in relation to their Rabb, themselves, parents, families, neighbors, friends, and respective societies. We Muslims must strive to learn how to develop all these aspects of human relations and character, especially our relations with our Creator. The following are just some of the Islâmic teachings that describe the qualities of ideal Muslims in relation with our Rabb based on authentic sources:
1. The ideal Muslims firmly believe (without any element of doubt) and assert that there is no God (worthy to be worshipped) but Allâh and that Muhammad (r.a.) is the Messenger of Allâh:
“That is Allâh your Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer)! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then you worship Him: and He has power to dispose of all affairs. No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision; He is Subtle well-aware.” (6:102-103).
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allâh, and the Seal of the Prophets. And Allâh has full knowledge of all things.” (33:40)
Abû Hurairah (r.a.) narrated: “I said ‘O Allâh’s Messenger! Who will be the luckiest person who will gain your intercession on the day of Resurrection?’” Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) said: “O Abû Hurairah! I have thought that none will ask me about it before you, as I know your eagerness to (learn) the Hâdîth. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be one who said sincerely from (the bottom of) his heart, ‘Lâ ilaha illa Allâh.’ (‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allâh.’).” (Bukhâri 1/ 98)
Abû Hurairah (r.a.) (or Abû Said Al Khudri) narrated that … Allâh’s Messenger (s.a.w.) remarked, “I bear testimony that there is no god but Allâh and I am the Messenger of Allâh. The man who meets his Rabb without harboring any doubt about these two (truths) will never be kept away from Paradise.” (Muslim 42)
2. The ideal Muslims know the reasons why Allâh the Most High has created them and sincerely perform their purpose in life with devotion:
“I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.” (51:56-58)
“So glorify the praises of your Rabb and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb (Sustainer) until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death).” (15:98-99)
“And they have been commanded no more than this: to worship Allâh, offering Him sincere devotion, being True (in Faith); establish regular prayer; and to give Zakat. And that is the Religion Right and Straight.” (98:5)
3. They aspire and work to attain ultimate success in the eternal world through belief and righteousness by worshipping no one but Allâh Alone. They humble themselves to Him Who is the True Rabb of the world and refrain from associating any partner with Him, fearing to commit the most heinous sin (i.e., Shirk) :
“O mankind! Worship your Guardian Rabb, Who created you and those who came before you that you may become righteous.” (2:21)
“But those who believe and work righteousness and humble themselves before their Rabb they will be Companions of the Garden to dwell therein for aye!” (11:23)
“Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allâh is to devise a sin most heinous indeed.” (4:48)
4. Their ultimate Goal in the end is towards Allâh (5:17-18 and 6:164) so they worship Allâh sincerely and properly the way Prophet Muhammad prayed because they believe that without proper prayers they cannot be considered Muslims:
“Successful indeed are the believers, ¾ those who humble themselves in their prayers... and who (strictly) guard their prayers. These will be the heirs, who will inherit Paradise. They will dwell therein forever.” (23:9-11)
Buraydah ibn Al-Hasib (r.a.) narrated that Allâh's Messenger said: “The covenant that is between us and them is (on the basis of) prayer, so he who (abandons it, in fact shows) infidelity (to Allâh). “ (Tirmidhi 574; Ahmad, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)
5. They offer their prayers regularly and on time and frequently supplicate to Allâh I knowing that supplication is a form of prayer:
‘Abdullâh bin Mas‘ûd narrated: “I asked the Prophet (s.a.w.) , “Which deed is dearest to Allâh?” He replied, “To offer the Salât (prayers) at their early fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents.” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihâd (religious fighting) in Allâh’s cause.” (Bukhâri 1/505)
Abu Qatada ibn Rab’I narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Allâh , the Exalted said: I made five times' prayers obligatory on your people, and I took a guarantee that if anyone observes them regularly at their times, I shall admit him to Paradise; if anyone does not offer them regularly, there is no such guarantee of Mine for him.” (Abu Dawud 430)
An Nu`man bin Bashir narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “Supplication (du'a) is itself the worship. (He then recited:) ‘And your Rabb said: Call on Me, I will answer you’ (11:60).” (Abu Dawud, 1474)
6. They not only try to be mere good Muslims (those who perform the five pillars of Islâm ) or Mu`minon (Faithful Muslims, those who believe in the six articles of faith); but also to be Mu`hsinoon or Muttaqon (God-conscious, God-fearing Muslims who are righteous, pious and restrain as well as guard themselves from evil). They take guidance from the following authentic Hadith:

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