The Muslim community is based on sincerity, purity of human feelings and fulfillment of rights and needs to every member.
The Muslimah has a mission in her life. Within the community she calls the people to Islam with good preaching and the best character. She teaches from what she learns and deals with those whom she comes in contact with based on Islamic values and morals. All this is done seeking the pleasure of Allah, the Exalted, while striving to attain the reward of His Paradise.
Wherever the Muslimah is, she should be a beacon of guidance and a positive source of correction and education, through both her words and deeds.
The true Muslimah has a refined social personality of the highest degree, which qualifies her to undertake her duty of calling others to Islam. She demonstrates the true values of her religion and the practical application of those values by attaining beautiful Islamic attributes. Her distinct social character represents a huge store of Islamic values, which can be seen by the way in which she interacts with the people around her.
The Muslimah, as Islam meant her to be, is a unique and remarkable person in her attitude, conduct and relationships with others at all levels. She treats them well by being friendly with them, humble, gentle of speech and avoiding offence. She likes others and is liked by them. She tries to follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as he was the best of people in his attitude towards others.
He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Nothing will weigh more heavily in the Balance of the believing slave on the Day of Resurrection than a good attitude towards others." [At-Tirmidhi]
Because Islam is based on truthfulness, the Muslimah is always truthful with all people. Truthfulness leads to goodness and goodness leads to Paradise. Therefore the Muslim strives to be true in all her words and deeds.
The Muslimah never gives false statements, because this attitude is forbidden in the Quran. Allah, the Most Glorified, says (what means):
"...And shun the word that is false." [Noble Quran 22:30]
The Muslimah seeks to offer sincere advice to everyone she comes in contact with. It's not just the matter of volunteering to do good out of generosity; it is a duty enjoined by Islam.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "(The essence of) Religion is (offering sincere) advice." [Muslim]
By the favor of Allah, the Muslimah is a guide for others to righteous deeds, whether by her actions or words. She never cheats, deceives or stabs in the back. These shameful acts are beneath hier, as they contradict the values of truthfulness.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "...whoever cheats is not one of us." [Muslim]
When the Muslimah promises something, she means to keep her promise. This attitude stems naturally from truthfulness, and indicates the high level of civility attained by the one who exhibits it. Allah says (what means):
"And fulfill every engagement, for [every] engagement will be enquired into [on the Day of Reckoning]." [Noble Quran 17:34]
One of the worst characteristics that Islam abhors is hypocrisy, therefore the Muslimah can never be a hypocrite; she is frank and open in her words and opinions.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "One of the worst people is a double-faced man, who comes to one group with one face and to another group with a totally different face." [Al-Bukhari]
Islam does not approve of begging. It makes it a sin that a person should beg when she has enough to satisfy her immediate needs. Therefore, the Muslimah does not beg. If she is faced with difficulty and poverty, she seeks refuge in patience, whilst doubling her effort to find a way out.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever refrains from asking from people, Allah will help him..." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
A sign of one's excellence in Islam is her ignoring what does not concern her. The Muslimah should only participate in what concerns her, such as anything that is her property, right, obligation or under her control. To be concerned with something entails preserving and taking care of this thing that one is allowed to be concerned with.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A sign of a person's being a good Muslim is that he should leave alone that which does not concern him." [At-Tirmidhi]
The Muslimah never searches for people's faults or slander their honor. She doesn't slip into the error of pride, boasting and showing off. She judges fairly, is never unjust (even to those whom she does not like) or biased by her own whims, and avoids suspicion. She does not rejoice in the misfortunes of anyone. She carefully avoids uttering any word of slander, cursing, malicious gossip and foul language.
She does not make fun of people but is gentle, kind, compassionate and merciful, strives for people's benefit and seeks to protect and help them.
One of the virtues of such a great value and importance that Islam, not only recommends, but also orders Muslims to characterize themselves with, is generosity. Therefore, the Muslimah is generous and gives freely without waste to those who are in need. When she gives, she does not remind people of her generosity. She is patient, tries hard to control her anger and is forgiving. She does not bear grudges or resentments, and is easy on people, not hard.
One of the worst diseases of the heart is envy, which leads to foul conduct and bad behavior. Therefore the Muslimah is not envious, because she knows that the pleasures of this life are as nothing in comparison to the reward that Allah has prepared for the believers, and that whatever happens in life happens according to the decree of Allah.
The Muslimah, who truly understands the teachings of her religion, is gentle, friendly, cheerful and warm. She mixes with people and gets along with them. She is humble and modest; and does not look down at other people. She is lighthearted and has a sense of humor and does not disdain others. Her jokes are distinguished by their legitimate Islamic nature. She is keen to bring happiness to people. It is an effective means of conveying the message of truth to them, and exposing them to its moral values, because people only listen to those whom they like, trust and accept.
The Muslimah keeps secrets; keeping secrets is a sign of maturity, moral strength, wisdom and balanced personality. She is concerned about the affairs of people in general. She is happy to welcome her guests and hastens to honor them.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Every religion has a (distinct) characteristic and the characteristic of Islam is modesty." [Ibn Majah]
The Muslimah adheres to the principle of modesty in all things. She does not accept every custom that is widely accepted by others, for there may be customs which go against Islam.
The Muslimah does not enter a house other than her own without seeking permission and greeting people. She sits wherever she finds room when she joins a gathering. She avoids whispering and conversing privately when she is in a group of three. She gives due respect to elders and those who deserve to be respected (like scholars etc.).
Allah Almighty says (what means):
"Invite mankind to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious." [Noble Quran 16:125]
The Muslimah is aware of her duty to call others to Islam, and does not spare any effort to do so. She enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil and mixes with righteous people.
Khadejah Jones
Share Islam Team
ShareIslam.com
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