Restoring Balance Between Outward Practice, Inner Purity, and Ethical Conduct
A Growing Crisis of Misplaced Priorities
In some Muslim communities, we see a troubling pattern:
- Strong emphasis on religious appearance
- Strict focus on outward observance
- Loud discussions about halal and haram
- Less focus on personal character
As a result, Islam is sometimes perceived — unfairly — as rigid, argumentative, or unwelcoming.
This imbalance is from forgetting what Islam actually prioritizes.
The Qur’an, Sunnah, and the understanding of the early scholars all point to one truth:
Islam is built upon character before appearance.
The Purpose: Perfecting Character
The Prophet ﷺ stated clearly:
“I was sent only to perfect noble character.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, al-Adab al-Mufrad)
This hadith defines the very mission of Islam.
Not:
- Ritual without ethics
- Knowledge without humility
- Appearance without sincerity
But character transformation.
The Qur’anic Standard of Righteousness
Allah (swt) defines righteousness in the Qur’an in a powerful way:
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces to the east or the west, but righteousness is to believe in Allah… to give wealth, to establish prayer, to fulfill promises, and to be patient.”
(Qur’an 2:177)
Notice:
✔ Faith
✔ Charity
✔ Integrity
✔ Patience
✔ Moral conduct
No mention of outward display alone.
The Prophet ﷺ: The Best Example of Excellent Character
Allah (swt) says:
“Indeed, you are upon an عظِيم (magnificent) character.”
(Qur’an 68:4)
When Aisha (RA) was asked about the Prophet’s character, she replied:
“His character was the Qur’an.”
(Bukhārī, al-Adab al-Mufrad)
His behavior:
- Attracted hearts
- Softened enemies
- United communities
- Spread Islam without coercion
Outward Appearance Has Value — But Is Not Enough
Islam encourages modesty and dignified appearance.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah does not look at your bodies or your appearance, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
Appearance without good character leads to:
- Arrogance
- Judgment of others
- Hypocrisy
- Damage to the image of Islam
The Hidden Disease: Quarrelsomeness
One of the most dangerous character flaws today is constant arguing, especially in religious matters.
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
“The most hated person in the sight of Allah is the most quarrelsome person.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
And he ﷺ said:
“I guarantee a house in the surroundings of Paradise for a man who avoids quarrelling even if he were in the right, a house in the middle of Paradise for a man who avoids lying even if he were joking, and a house in the upper part of Paradise for a man who made his character good.”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
Why is this so serious?
Because constant argument:
- Hardens the heart
- Creates arrogance
- Destroys unity
- Turns religion into ego battles
Imām al-Ghazālī wrote:
“Argumentation hardens the heart and extinguishes sincerity.”
Namīmah (Tale-Bearing): A Major Sin That Destroys Communities
Another deadly disease is namīmah — carrying words from one person to another to cause harm.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The one who spreads namīmah will not enter Paradise.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
He ﷺ also said about two people in graves:
“They are being punished, and one of them used to spread namīmah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
Why namīmah is so dangerous:
- Breaks trust
- Fuels hatred
- Destroys families
- Splits communities
- Leads to injustice
Ibn Ḥajar رحمه الله said:
“Namīmah is worse than backbiting, because it carries corruption from one heart to another.”
When Religious Appearance Becomes a Veil
A dangerous phenomenon arises when:
- People appear religious
- Speak in Islamic language
- Quote texts
- But lack mercy and humility
Allah (swt) warns:
“…Indeed, Allah does not love the corrupters.”
(Qur’an 28:77)
Religious behavior without character repels people from Islam.
The Understanding of the Great Scholars
Imām Mālik رحمه الله
“Learn manners before knowledge.”
(Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr)
Ḥasan al-Baṣrī رحمه الله
“Faith is not by wishful thinking or outward display, but what settles in the heart and is proven by action.”
(Ibn Abī Shaybah)
Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله
“Religion in its entirety is good character.”
(Madārij al-Sālikīn)
What True Religiosity Looks Like
A truly religious person:
✔ Speaks gently
✔ Avoids arguments
✔ Covers others’ faults
✔ Advises privately
✔ Shows humility
✔ Fears harming others
✔ Represents Islam beautifully
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most complete of the believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are the best in behavior to their women.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 1162, Grade: Sahih)
A Critical Reminder for Our Time
Islam does not encourage:
- Loud voices
- Harsh attitudes
- Constant judgment
Islam encourages:
- Mercy
- Wisdom
- Patience
- Good Character
As Ibn Taymiyyah said:
“Allah supports a just society even if it is not Muslim, and does not support an unjust society even if it is Muslim.”
(al-Amr bil Ma’rūf)
Conclusion: A True Muslim Is Recognized Through Character
Islam spread across continents not through force, but through:
- Honesty
- Trustworthiness
- Good dealings
- Compassion
If Muslims want to revive the beauty of Islam, they must:
- Purify their hearts
- Guard their tongues
- Treat people with mercy
- Balance outward practice with inward sincerity
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved of you to me, and the closest of you to me on the Day of Resurrection, are those of you with the best character.”
— Recorded in Jami` at-Tirmidhi (2018), classed as Hasan (sound)
May Allah (swt) grant us beautiful character, sincere hearts, and wisdom in conduct.
