Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
Ethics (Part 5)
What Causes Ill-Temper?
Good morals are spiritually and internally connected with “piety,” just as bad morals or ill-temper are supported by an inner inclination towards “debauchery.” According to the Qur’an, the human soul is the center of two forces: “debauchery and piety”: «وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا (۷) فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا (۸)» Translation: “By the soul and the One who fashioned it. (7) Then He inspired it with its debauchery and piety. (8)”
Thus, bad morals are manifestations of the soul’s inner “debauchery.” Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Hakim al-Waraq describes the stages of this process as follows: “When moods and whims dominate a person, the heart becomes darkened. When the heart becomes dark, a person feels a tightness in the chest; and when the chest is tight, they turn to bad morals, which then cause anger and hatred from others.”
Although good morals do not have a limited scope; But its general principles according to the scholars of ethics and according to the verses and hadiths are:
1. Honesty and truth.
2. Trustworthiness.
3. Fulfilling the promise.
4. Politeness in speaking.
5. The health of the chest from malice.
6. Courage and persistence on it.
7. Tolerance and forgiveness.
8. Generosity.
9. Patience.
10. Chastity.
11. Moderation.
12. Cleanliness and beauty of appearance.
13. Modesty and shame.
14. Brotherhood and altruism.
15. Unity and solidarity.
16. Self-esteem.
17. Mercy and kindness to others.
The difference between good-tempered and flattery
Some people confuse good nature and good behavior with flattery due to ignorance. For this reason, they unjustly praise the owners of power and wealth, and they strain against them and trample on their high human character and value. They brazenly call this inappropriate behavior good manners and tolerance. When such people reach ordinary people, they forget good manners and gentleness and take on a sullen and harsh face. This unpleasant attribute is not only a value, but also a great sin that causes Allah’s wrath. We should recognize pleasant behavior from flattery in social encounters and drive away the wrongdoers who are trying to mix the truth and falsehood by using flattery and protect ourselves from their tricks.
Continues…
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