A Muslim walks Politely and with good manner, calmly and full of dignity and politeness as he observes moderation while walking and looks ahead and does not look anywhere.
The Lord of the world teaches us how to walk full of politeness and dignity, where he says: «وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِینَ یمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا» “The good servants of Allah (s.w.t) are those who are calm, humble and dignified, they walk and when the ignorant meet them, they leave them safely”(Al-Furqan, V63).
Also, a person with good manner chooses to be moderate in walking, he neither rushes nor walks slowly, nor walks proudly. Almighty Allah says: «واقصد فی مشیك» means: “And be moderate in your walking!” (Luqman, V19) It is narrated that Hazrat Umar (RA) saw a man walking like a dead man and pretending to be listless, as if he wanted to increase his humility, so he said to him: <لاتمت علینا دیننا اماتک الله> ” Don not kill us by our religion, “may Allah destroy you”.
It is also narrated that Umar saw a man who lowered his head and showed himself to be helpless and miserable, so he said to him: lift your head.” because Islam is not sick. It means be cheerful, strong and lively; It is clear from this that a Muslim should be cheerful in all situations, so that his personality is good and beautiful; As it has been proven from the Sunnah that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to walk briskly and cheerfully. So, the meaning of “«واقصد فی مشیك»” is: Do not be rude and arrogant on your way. Ata, may Allah have mercy on him, says: “It means walk with dignity.”
And he also says: «ولا تمش فی الأرض مرحًا إنك لن تخرق الأرض ولن تبلغ الجبال طولاً»means: “and walk lightly on the earth, because you can never break the earth and you cannot reach the mountains at a height” (Al-Asra, V37).
Considering the mentioned verses, let’s reflect on our goings and walks; do we walk with dignity and calm and do we observe the proper manner of walking? Have you ever noticed that the departure of many people in our society is surprising!
One day, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah Be upon him, said to his companions: “Avoid sitting on the roads.” They said: O Messenger of Allah, PBUH, we have no choice but to sit in which we talk. The Messenger of Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: So, when you are forced to sit, give way. They said: What is the right way, O Messenger of Allah, PBUH? He said: wearing eyes, refraining from harassment and giving greetings and commanding good deeds and forbidding bad deeds.
Among the proper manners and good taste for a Muslim person is that he should not sit on the road unnecessarily and not disturb people; because especially women face a little problem in this area and they cannot browse the road easily and confidently; therefore, good taste demands that one should not gather on the roads without necessity.
Examples of the good taste of the Prophet of Islam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, while walking:
The beloved Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was the best and most elegant person while walking; As he walked humbly, dignified and calm, and his walk was full of cheerfulness, mobility and moderate speed. Hazrat Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, says: ” When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) walked, he walked so gracefully, as if he was coming down from a height (He used to walk on the side of the forward, he didn’t walk ahead like the arrogant ones).
And that Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to walk behind them while walking with his companions and said that this is the way he is responsible and shepherding his subjects, (that is, a responsible and shepherding person walks behind his Companions to control them from all sides and in view have). And he considered it inappropriate to walk ahead of them; As sultans and kings have the same method and their followers walk behind them like servants; As the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say to his companions: (walk in front of me); Therefore, the companions of the Prophet (may peace be upon him) walked from the right and left sides and also from their front.
Why did the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, walk behind his companions? In this regard, the scholars say: firstly, this method indicates the complete humility of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and secondly, angels move behind the beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; As he used to say: “Empty my back for the angels” And thirdly, that he should be aware of the situations and movements of his companions and teach them manners and educate them according to Islamic law.