Why should we have Akhlaq?

In Islam there is a lot of emphasis placed on Akhlaq (Good Moral Conduct). Why is this so? Why should we behave well and respect others? What is the reason?

This can be explained as, when Allah (SWT) created the human being, He (SWT) created it in two parts. One part was like an empty car shell, used to hold something, this is known as outer self (Physical, Body). The other part was like the engine, this is known as inner self (Nafs, Soul).

Our body is such that it needs looking after; we have to feed it and keep it warm, otherwise we will become ill and suffer. Similarly, our soul, known as Nafs, also needs looking after; otherwise it will also become ill. The way to look after this soul is to listen, to think, to respect, to help. When we help someone, we feel happy, but it is not the physical body that feels happy instead it is our Nafs. Hence Akhlaq in Islam is food for the soul, and if we feed it regularly, it will remain happy and healthy.

This brings another question. Other religions also preach respect, so why don't we follow them?

All the religions, which were sent down by Allah (SWT), were brought with their own codes of conduct. Each religion expanded and added until with the advent of Islam when all the rules had been perfected. Man in one way or another has altered the other religions, and only Islam remains as pure as the night it was revealed. This means that by following the Akhlaq in Islam we are feeding our Nafs with the best food.

There is also a saying in English, that the eyes are the windows to the soul. That means that whatever we look at, directly affects our Nafs. If we look at things, which are forbidden (Haraam), we are lowering the standard of our Nafs, while if we refrain from looking at Haraam; we are strengthening the Imaan (faith) of our Nafs.

The problem with the world today is that the physical body is being looked after very well, but the soul is being totally neglected. This causes the disease of the soul, which people do not realize. Such diseases cause intensive and long-term damage. A good Akhlaq can change the mentality of even a bad person. It is indeed a silent but effective preaching. The greatest doctors of Nafs, who have given us rules and examples to follow, are the Fourteen Ma'sumeen [Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and Ahlul Bayt (as)].

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) according to Noble Qur'an has superior standard of character. Allah (SWT) confirms in Noble Qur'an the Akhlaq of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) "And most certainly you are on sublime morality (exalted standard of character)". (68:4)

Allah (SWT) had sent our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) as a mercy to mankind to bring mankind from the darkness into the light. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was sent to help us complete the goodness of our character by teaching us and leading by example. Our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, "I have been sent to complete the goodness of your character" - Tazkiyah al-Nafs (purification of the soul).

Sadly we often hear Muslims saying that, "We Muslims have the worst character."

With the beautiful example of our dear Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) in front of us, we should be showing and teaching people what good character is.

If we live and act with good character we will benefit in numerous ways and our lives will also serve to be an invitation to the deen (religion) of Islam.

So, let us make a promise to ourselves that we never let our Akhlaq (Islamic Behavior) fall. Let us love the young and respect the old and if we have any insincerity or bad feeling in our hearts then let us ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness.

May Allah (SWT) make it possible for us to practice upon the beautiful teachings in the Noble Qur'an the perfect example of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Ameen