Good character (akhlaq)
The Prophet ﷺ said, “I was sent to perfect good character.” (Ahmad 8952) Nothing will weigh heavier in the scales on the Day of Judgement than good character. (Tirmidhi 2002)
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ٤Wa innaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeemAnd indeed, you are of a great moral character.Surah Al-Qalam 68:4
Qualities to build
- Truthfulness — truth leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. (Bukhari 6094)
- Trustworthiness and keeping promises.
- Kindness to parents — placed right after the worship of Allah. ۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا ٢٣And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.Surah Al-Isra 17:23
- The rights of neighbours and relatives — whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not harm his neighbour. (Bukhari 6018)
- Patience, forgiveness and controlling anger — the strong one is he who controls himself when angry. (Bukhari 6114)
- Humility, gentleness and a cheerful face — even a smile is charity. (Tirmidhi 1956)
Faults to leave
Lying, backbiting, tale-carrying, envy, arrogance, cheating, abuse, spying on others’ faults, and wronging anyone.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۭ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًۭا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ١٢Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanuj taniboo kaseeram minaz zanni inna ba'daz zanniismunw wa laa tajassasoo wa la yaghtab ba'dukum ba'daa; a yuhibbu ahadukum any yaakula lahma akheehi maitan fakarih tumooh; wattaqul laa; innal laaha tawwaabur RaheemO you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.Surah Al-Hujurat 49:12