Muslimah77
Slave of Allah (SWT)
Three Conditions to Acquire Excellent Character by Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (rahimahullaah)
Excerpted from his Risâlat-ut-Tabûkiyyah
This is one example of the excellent character with which Allah, the Exalted, has equipped his Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam). He described him as,
“Verily, you (Muhammad) are on an exalted standard of character.” [Al-Qalam (68): 4]
A’ishah (radiyallaahu anha), described him as,
“His character was just [a reflection of] the Qur’an.”[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ahmad]
Such excellent character cannot be attained without three conditions:
1) The foundation must be good. If one has a rough and dry nature, it will be hard for him to submit to this [excellence of character] through knowledge, will, or practice. On the other hand, a mild and smooth nature will be ready and willing to receive the ploughing and the seeds [to prepare it for character excellence].
2) The soul must be strong and capable of conquering calls of laziness, transgression and desire. Those matters contradict perfection, and souls that cannot defeat them will always be defeated and conquered.
3) [One must possess] a discerning knowledge of the truth of matters, enabling one to put them in the rightful position.
If these three qualities are present in a man, and Allah’s facilitation helps him, then he will be among those whom the best (husna) has been decreed and for whom Allah’s care has been secured.
