There Is No Trust for the One Who Does Not Fear Allaah !

Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي اللّه عنـه said:

“Stick with your true brothers. You can live in comfort with them, as they are a delight in times of ease, and you can lean on them in times of hardship. Assume the best about your brother until he comes with something that should alarm you from him. Avoid your enemy, and beware of befriending anyone but the trustworthy, and there is no trust for the one who does not fear Allaah.

Not everyone is suitable to be your friend…

Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi رحمه الله

“Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the necessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:

-He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him;

-He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him; 

Seek protection from laziness & from not having the capability to do an action.

The Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم used to seek protection from laziness and also from not having the capability.

اللّهُمَّ إنِّي أعُوذُبِكَ مِن العَجزِ وَ الكَسلٍ

Allahumma inniy a’oothubika min al-ajzi wal-kasli 'O Allah, I seek refuge in you from incapability and laziness.'

Definition of Laziness:

A person has the capability to do an action but he does not want to.

Laziness  &  not having the capability -- both prevent a person from good. This is the reason why Prophet Muhammd صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم sought refuge from these two obstructions of good:

1) Laziness;

2) Not having the capability to do an action.

(Extract from Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin)

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GREAT Benefits of حُسْنُ الخُلُق (Good character)!

The Prophet  صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم mentioned the great benefits of  حُسْنُ الخُلُق  'Husnul Khuluq' (good character). This is an encouragement for us all to strive to achieve this.

Abu Darda  رضي اللّه عنـه narrated that the Prophet  صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم said:

‏ ‏ مَا شَيْءٌ أَثْقَلُ فِي مِيزَانِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِنْ خُلُقٍ حَسَنٍ

"There is nothing more heavier on the believer's Scale on the Day of Judgment than good character."

(Tirmidhi)

 

This is a very HEAVY statement: The heaviest thing on the scale of the believer is حُسْنُ الخُلُق, good character,  shows our understanding of the Deen, our awareness of Allaah, our awareness of our brothers & sisters in Islaam ... it consists of so many things. 

ANGER is one of the ways Shaitaan enters the hearts of man. Do we understand from this that one should never get angry?

No, this is incorrect understanding. 
  

{Extract from Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qâsidin (Towards the Hereafter) 

by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi - Lesson #14}

 

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How to attain 'Husnul Khuluq' - (Good Morals, Manners & character)?

Know, certainly that having good morals have always been connected to the descriptions of the Prophets and righteous people in general. This should be an encouragement for us to follow them.

Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى has described Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم in His Noble Book:

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

'And verily, you (O Muhammad صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم) are on an exalted standard of character.'

(Al-Qalam 68:4)

إِنَّك  - shows emphasis i.e. emphasizing that Prophet Muhammad's character was extremely great. Here, Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى is speaking about Prophet صلّى اللَّهُ عليه وسلّم. 

He رحمه الله mentions in his book "Madarij As-Salikeen" that for a person to be blessed with a good heart, he should first make dua. It is not possible for a person to be described as having 'Husnul Khuluq' (having good character & morals), unless the following FOUR characteristics (pillars) are present:

 

1   ** صَبر (Sabr - being patient): This aids a person to control his anger, tongue and control himself physically. The definition of patience is 'to control oneself.' It is difficult for some to control their emotions in certain situations. It can be overwhelming for them;

(Extract from Mukhtasar Minhaj al-Qasiden by Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi)

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