Manners.. Part 2

The manners a person owns reflects their personality, at the same time the actions of a person are built upon the manners which they own. People are judges as to what type of person you are, how mannered you are. The way you treat others, reflects your own self to them, and from the treatment they get a judgement is made about you.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) has said: If you have been given the opportunity to live for 2 days you should build your manners on the first day and use it for the next day.

If we are to fully comprehend the statement above, we learn that manners are above all the most crucial aspect of ones life in terms of how they live it. Our manners are processed through our communication and interaction with people, if we possess the correct form of attribute needed for interaction (good manners) then we can by practicing these manners achieve a great deal in life, one example would be to draw people closer to your group of faith.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) has famously said: "Inama Bu'thtu li utamima makarim al-akhlaq", I was sent down by Allah to demonstrate the importance of akhlaq (moral standards). He has further said: "Good manners are your best friend and the title of your next day are those manners"

People are often known as to how well mannered they are, they are seen as either beautiful or revolting through these same manners. We often see models for example who look absolutely stunning, yet the minute that we begin to interact with them we may realise that they are rather shallow minded, rude, conceited a demonstration of "bad manners" that same person then drops in our eyes, because they begin to appear like a monster. The title people address you with is again dependant on your moral standards.

You may begin to question as to what exactly these Moral standards are, and as to what the benefits are of these good manners are. Well a short answer to this would be that Moral standards are the measurement of how we display morality, how we present ourselves in terms of moral actions which we partake with other mortals. There are many benefits of Good moral conduct in both worlds, in this world and in the hereafter. God looks at this world before the enxt, thus our deeds are important in both worlds. In order to improve the status of your life, you should practice good moral stnadards today before tommorow.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) says: Whoever worsens himself, tortures himself.

One can not attain peace and harmony with loved ones, with family and friends if one does not act upon the regulations of good manners. You end up destroying yourself.

A person came to Imam Al-Ridha (as) and said to him, I have a daughter, a man approached me for her, he is a good man but lacks manners. The Imam said Dont give him your daughter.

Owning good manners provides compatability with other human beings as they respect decency, often pursued by good manners. In order for one to suceed in his life, one must gain the respect of other people and in return that respect should be given back to mark ones position in society.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as) has said: Good Akhlaq can increase your wealth/ earnings.

Good manners are therefore part of faith, they increase the means of your living, making life better as retold by our Imam.

Imam Al-Sadiq has also said: Good behaviour melts bad deeds like the sun melts the ice.

The prophet (pbuh) has also said: Good manners are half of faith. The other half is marriage.
He has also said: If you have good manners in this life you will be my neighbour in heaven. In addition to that: The one closer to me tommorow is the one with best manners and the one closest to the people.

Imam Al-Sadiq (as): Bad manners corrupt faith similar to how Vinegar corrupts Honey.

The prophet (pbuh): Have good manners for if you do you go to heaven no doubt, if you dont then you go to hell no doubt.

Having the power of performing an action easily and regularly as that action becomes a habit, is needed to be repeated, for example making yourself to be the one to commence greetings. saying "salam" or sending peace to your friend.

An action that becomes a habit is known as "khalq" in arabic, this reffers to manners, and that is where the word "akhlaq" comes from, meaning to be acquained with manners of such.

Good manners should be approached often until they become a habit. This then simplifies our moral conduct with people. Inappropriate moral conduct however can also become habitual, causing problems, as one begins to express themselves in ways which are not acceptable without realisation.

In a Hadith by Imam Al-Sadiq he lists 10 things which are seen to be of high moral standards they are:

1. Honesty with ones self
2.Honesty with people
3.Paying people back, returnign their favours
4.Remaining in contact with friends and relatives
5.Respecting guests
6.Helping the needy (giving chairty)
7.Rewarding workers
8.Being good towards your neighbour
9.Politeness to friends
10.Modesty, Shame

Salaam for now.