Good manners and etiquette are of great significance in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of having good character and treating others with kindness and respect. Muslims are encouraged to show kindness and respect to everyone, no matter their background or beliefs. This means being polite, using soft words, and steering clear of any offensive or hurtful language.
One way to demonstrate good manners is through greetings. The Prophet Muhammad taught that Muslims should greet others with “As-salamu alaykum” (peace be upon you).
Furthermore, good manners are vital for creating and maintaining strong bonds with family, friends, neighbors, and the larger community.
Hadith on Importance of Good Manners in Islam
Here are a few Hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS)) that highlight the importance of good manners in Islam:
1. Respect for Parents & Elders:
Anas bin Malik narrated that:
“An older man came to talk to the Prophet, and the people were hesitant to make room for him. The Prophet said: He is not one of us who does not have mercy on our young and does not respect our elders.” – Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1919
2. Kindness to Neighbors:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep silent.” – (Sahih Bukhari)
3. The Virtue of Gentleness:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Verily, gentleness is not in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disgraces it.” – (Sahih Muslim)
4. Speaking Kindly:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent.” – (Sahih Bukhari)
Do remember that speaking a kind word is a form of charity.
5. Honoring Guests:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest.” (Sahih Bukhari)
6. Patience and Forgiveness:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,
“Whoever suppresses his anger when he has the power to show it, Allah will call him on the Day of Resurrection before all creation and let him choose any of the Huris (fair maidens of Paradise) that he wishes.” – (Sunan Abi Dawood)
In this Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the virtue of humility. Muslims are encouraged to be humble and modest in their interactions, treating others with fairness and equality, and avoiding any form of oppression.
7. Honesty and Integrity
Narrated Jarir bin `Abdullah:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said,
“Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This Hadith reminds Muslims of the importance of being honest, compassionate, and considerate towards others. It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of kindness and highlights the link between good manners and the mercy of Allah.
So now, as we have gone through the number of Hadiths related to the importance of good character in Islam, treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion is highly encouraged in our day-to-day lives. Good manners are seen as a reflection of one’s faith and an essential aspect of being a Muslim.
