The Ideal Muslim: Characteristics of the Ideal Muslim According to the Qur’an and the Sunnah The IDEAL MUSLIM The True Islamic Personality of the Muslim Man as Defined in the Qur'an and Sunnah
By Dr. Muhammad ‘Ali Al-Hashimi Translated by Nasiruddin Al-Khattab and Revised by Ibrahim M. Kunna and Abu Aya Sulaiman Abdus-Sabur Copyright and published by the International Islâmic Publishing House (IIPH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1999. The Ideal Muslim is a man of the highest moral character. In his relationship with his Rabb, himself, family, parents, relatives, friends and the community at large, he has a most excellent example in the prophet of Islam (pbuh). His idealism is further strengthened by the characters of the first generations of Muslims who excelled in all the various fields of human endeavor. He is reassured by the teachings of Islam that he also can reach these noble heights by working to improve his character daily. Chapter 5: The Muslim and His Children He equally treats all his children One of the elements of wise upbringing is for the parents to treat all their children equally, and not to favor one of them over the others in any way. The child who feels that he is treated fairly and that he and his brothers are equal, will grow up with a healthy self-esteem, free from feelings of inferiority; he will not hate his brother, or eat his heart out with jealousy, but will be content, tolerant, kind and caring towards others. This is what Islam encourages and orders parents to do. Bukhari and Muslim narrated from al-Nu‘man ibn Bashir (r.a.): “My father brought me to the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and said, ‘I have given this son of mine a slave I have.’ The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked him, ‘Have you given each of your children the same?’ He said, ‘No,’ so the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) told him: ‘Then take the slave back.’” According to another report Nu‘man said: “The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked, ‘Have you done the same for all your children?’ (My father) said, ‘No,’ so the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, ‘Fear Allah (S.W.T.) and treat all of your children equally.’ So my father went and took back his gift.” According to a third report: “The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked, ‘O Bishr, do you have any other children?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked, ‘Will you give a similar gift to each of them?’ He said, ‘No.’ So the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, ‘Do not ask me to witness this, because I do not want to witness unfairness.’ Then he added, ‘Would you not like all of your children to treat you with equal respect?’ “ Bishr” said, ‘Of course.’ The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) told him: ’so do not do it.’” (Bukhari and Muslim) Therefore the Muslim who fears Allah (S.W.T.) treats all his children with equal fairness, and does not favor one above the other in giving gifts, spending money on him or in the way he treats him. So all of them will pray for him, love him and treat him with kindness and respect.