Theme
الأخلاق
Character
al-Akhlaq
Much of what the Companions are remembered for is not ritual worship but character: honesty in trade, keeping a confidence, returning what belongs to others, guarding the tongue, and meeting people with a cheerful face.
These are habits you can practise in ordinary conversations and transactions, today. Each one comes with the report it rests on.
قَالَ قَالَ لِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ تَحْقِرَنَّ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ".
“Don't consider anything insignificant out of good things even if it is that you meet your brother with a cheerful countenance”
82 practices from 46 companions
Open any practice to read it in full on the Companion's page, with the Arabic and English text of every source.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awfعبد الرحمن بن عوف
Earning honestly instead of accepting a gift
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Prefer honest work over reliance, and be thankful for generosity without taking it.
Sit with this Would you rather earn a little honestly than receive a lot as a gift?
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awfعبد الرحمن بن عوف
Being a trusted imam
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Be reliable enough that people are happy to follow you in prayer.
Sit with this Could people follow you in prayer with confidence?
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awfعبد الرحمن بن عوف
Giving truthful testimony
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Say what you know exactly as you know it.
Sit with this Can you say what you know exactly as you know it, no more and no less?
Abdullah ibn al-Zubayrعبد الله بن الزبير
Feeding the hungry in famine
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Feed those in need, and keep the manners of the table while doing it.
Sit with this Who near you is going hungry, quietly, without asking?
Abdullah ibn al-Zubayrعبد الله بن الزبير
Remembering the Prophet's kindness to children
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Be gentle with children and make time for them.
Sit with this Which child in your life would remember ten minutes of your full attention?
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Asعبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص
Showing mercy to people
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Be merciful to people and animals today.
Sit with this To whom could you show mercy today who does not expect it?
Abdullah ibn Salamعبد الله بن سلام
Spreading salam, feeding people and praying at night
Try this today
Greet more people, feed someone and make a small night prayer, as this is the Prophet's first advice in Medina.
Sit with this Which of the three, salam, food or night prayer, comes least easily to you?
Abdullah ibn Salamعبد الله بن سلام
Honouring a guest with a simple meal
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Host with what you have, and use the occasion to share beneficial advice.
Sit with this What simple thing do you have that could become a meal shared with a friend?
Abdullah ibn Salamعبد الله بن سلام
Seeking the best of deeds
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Do not only discuss what is best; act on it, and watch that your words match your deeds.
Sit with this Is there a good deed you talk about more than you do?
Abdullah ibn Umarعبد الله بن عمر
Living in this world as a traveller
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Hold this world loosely. Do the good you can today before health or time runs out.
Sit with this What would you do today if you lived like a traveller passing through?
Abu Ayyub al-Ansariأبو أيوب الأنصاري
Hosting the Prophet with care
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Receive your guests warmly, and ask what pleases them rather than assuming.
Sit with this How might you learn what truly pleases the guests you host?
Abu Ayyub al-Ansariأبو أيوب الأنصاري
Not cutting off his brother
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If you are on bad terms with someone, be the first to say salam.
Sit with this Who is waiting for you to be the first to say salam?
Abu Dharr al-Ghifariأبو ذر الغفاري
A cheerful face
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Greet everyone you meet today with a real smile.
Sit with this Who will you meet today who needs a real smile from you?
Abu Dujanah al-Ansariأبو دجانة الأنصاري
Taking a trust and fulfilling its right
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Do not take on a responsibility lightly; once you take it, give it its right.
Sit with this What responsibility have you accepted without yet giving it its full right?
Abu Qatadah al-Ansariأبو قتادة الأنصاري
Mercy to animals in daily routine
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Be gentle with animals, even when it costs you a moment.
Sit with this How do you treat the animals that cross your path in a rushed day?
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrahأبو عبيدة بن الجراح
Being trustworthy in whatever he was given
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Make your word and your handling of other people's things something people can rely on completely.
Sit with this Would people trust you with their things the way they trusted Abu Ubaydah?
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrahأبو عبيدة بن الجراح
Delivering public funds and responsibilities honestly
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If you handle money for others, deliver it exactly and on time, and keep your own heart free of it.
Sit with this If you handle others' money or time, would they find every part of it in place?
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrahأبو عبيدة بن الجراح
Reporting honestly and consulting before big decisions
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Bring bad news early and honestly, and invite counsel before a hard decision.
Sit with this Is there bad news you are delaying that someone needs to hear now?
Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta'iعدي بن حاتم الطائي
Keeping your word and breaking an oath for something better
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Do not let pride or anger bind you to a worse choice; do the better thing and expiate.
Sit with this Is pride holding you to a promise that is worse than the alternative?
Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta'iعدي بن حاتم الطائي
Standing firm in loyalty when others fall away
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Stay loyal to what is right when your circle is wavering.
Sit with this When your circle wavers, what keeps you steady?
Leaving what is doubtful for what is certain
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When you are unsure whether something is right, step back.
Sit with this What doubtful thing could you step back from today?
Choosing peace over a fight he could win
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Be willing to give up your claim for the sake of lasting peace.
Sit with this Which argument could you give up for the sake of lasting peace?
al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswadالمقداد بن الأسود
Greeting quietly at night so the sleeper isn't woken
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Lower your voice and be careful when entering a shared space at night.
Sit with this Do you move through shared spaces at night with care for the sleepers?
al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswadالمقداد بن الأسود
Refusing flattery
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Praise sparingly and sincerely; do not let flattery inflate you or others.
Sit with this Do you praise sparingly and sincerely, and resist being flattered?
al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswadالمقداد بن الأسود
Protecting life even in the heat of battle
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Be slow to violence and quick to give the benefit of the doubt in matters of faith.
Sit with this Do you give people the benefit of the doubt about their faith?
al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwamالزبير بن العوام
Preferring honest work to asking
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Earn something with your own hands before asking others.
Sit with this What could you earn with your own hands before asking others?
al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwamالزبير بن العوام
Guarding other people's money
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If you cannot guarantee safekeeping, do not accept a trust casually.
Sit with this Do you accept trusts you cannot be sure of keeping?
al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwamالزبير بن العوام
Accepting the Prophet's ruling
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Accept a fair decision, and do not read favouritism into someone else's ruling.
Sit with this Can you accept a fair ruling without reading favouritism into it?
Ali ibn Abi Talibعلي بن أبي طالب
Strict honesty in reporting the Prophet
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Do not pass on a religious claim you are not sure of; verify before you share.
Sit with this Do you check a religious claim before you forward it?
Ali ibn Abi Talibعلي بن أبي طالب
Carrying out the Prophet's charity faithfully
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When you are trusted with charity, distribute all of it exactly as intended.
Sit with this When you are trusted with others' charity, does every part reach its place?
Honouring those you differ with
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In disputes, remember the status of those you oppose and speak with respect.
Sit with this Who do you disagree with that you could still speak of with respect?
Noting and passing on the Prophet's character
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Pay attention to good character in those around you and pass it on.
Sit with this Whose good character could you describe to someone today?
Asma bint Abi Bakrأسماء بنت أبي بكر
Honest, hands-on work
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Dignity in labour; no honest work is beneath the believer.
Sit with this Is there honest work you treat as beneath you?
Asma bint Abi Bakrأسماء بنت أبي بكر
Doing good to a non-Muslim mother
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Keep ties with relatives, even where beliefs differ.
Sit with this Which relative who believes differently could you visit with kindness?
Defending the truth with courage and honesty
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Take a disagreement to the right authority, and report both sides faithfully.
Sit with this Can you raise a disagreement honestly and still report both sides fairly?
Asma bint Yazid al-Ansariyyahأسماء بنت يزيد الأنصارية
Being honest even about hunger
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If you are offered food and are hungry, say so politely. Do not say no out of embarrassment.
Sit with this Where do small, polite untruths creep into your day?
Asma bint Yazid al-Ansariyyahأسماء بنت يزيد الأنصارية
Exchanging salam with women in the mosque
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Greet everyone you pass, women and men, and return every greeting.
Sit with this Do you greet everyone you pass, and return every greeting?
Fatimah bint Muhammadفاطمة بنت محمد
Warm greetings between parent and child
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Stand up, embrace and honour your parents when you meet them.
Sit with this How do you greet your parents when you see them?
Fatimah bint Muhammadفاطمة بنت محمد
Keeping a confidence
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Guard what is entrusted to you.
Sit with this What has someone trusted you with that you must keep to yourself?
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamanحذيفة بن اليمان
Forgiving a mistake that cost a loved one
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Forgive an unintended harm and keep asking Allah to forgive the one who caused it.
Sit with this Is there an unintended harm done to you that you could forgive today?
Ja'far ibn Abi Talibجعفر بن أبي طالب
Character like the Prophet's
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Aim for the Prophet's manners: gentleness, generosity and truthfulness.
Sit with this Which of the Prophet's manners would you most like people to see in you?
Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajaliجرير بن عبد الله البجلي
Sincerity to every Muslim
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Give honest, caring counsel to every Muslim you deal with.
Sit with this Do you give honest, caring advice even when it is easier to say nothing?
Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajaliجرير بن عبد الله البجلي
Lowering the gaze
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Look away at once if your eyes fall on something you should not look at.
Sit with this What do you need to look away from more quickly?
Khadijah bint Khuwaylidخديجة بنت خويلد
Steadying a loved one in fear
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When someone close to you is afraid, calm them first, then remind them of the good they have done.
Sit with this When someone you love is afraid, can you calm them before you advise them?
Khadijah bint Khuwaylidخديجة بنت خويلد
Valuing kinship, charity and hospitality
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Build a home where family ties, the poor and the guest are always on the agenda.
Sit with this Are kin, the poor and the guest on your household's agenda?
Khadijah bint Khuwaylidخديجة بنت خويلد
Loyalty that outlasted her life
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Be someone whose friends and family are still honoured after you are gone.
Sit with this Whose friends could you honour for the sake of someone who has passed?
Khalid ibn al-Walidخالد بن الوليد
Returning what belongs to others, even in war
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Return property to its owner, whoever you are and whatever your position.
Sit with this Is there something in your keeping that belongs to someone else?
Maymunah bint al-Harithميمونة بنت الحارث
Removing doubt with a small act
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Solve a confusing situation with a simple, practical action.
Sit with this What confusion could you clear up with one simple, practical act?
Maymunah bint al-Harithميمونة بنت الحارث
Telling the truth about her own marriage
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Report accurately what you know first-hand.
Sit with this Do you report what you know first-hand plainly, even when it is disputed?
Guarding the tongue
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Before speaking, ask if it helps; the tongue is where many are undone.
Sit with this Before you speak today, will you ask whether it helps?
Keeping prayer light for others
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If you lead, remember the weakest person behind you.
Sit with this If you lead, do you remember the weakest person behind you?
Judging by Allah's law, not by tribe
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When you judge between people, put the revealed law above old loyalties.
Sit with this When you judge between people, do old loyalties tip the scale?
Being honoured by the Prophet
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Honour the people of standing in your community, and accept honour humbly.
Sit with this Whom in your community could you honour, and can you accept honour humbly?
Safiyyah bint Huyayyصفية بنت حيي
Taking hurt to the Prophet rather than answering back
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When someone wounds you, take it to a trusted person and to Allah. Do not let it harden your heart.
Sit with this When words wound you, where do you take the hurt?
Fear of taking what is not yours
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Check your own conscience before you defend yourself: if there is doubt, give the right back.
Sit with this Is there anything in your hands that might belong to someone else?
Standing up against injustice, even when it is costly
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Speak the truth about injustice, with knowledge and with respect.
Sit with this Where could you speak the truth about injustice, with knowledge and respect?
Reviving dead land
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Put effort into making something useful grow, and do not take from others unjustly.
Sit with this What could you make grow, honestly, that others would benefit from?
Staying away from the bustle of the market
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Do your buying and selling, but do not live there.
Sit with this Does the market, or the screen, take more of you than it should?
Truthfulness about himself
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Do not hide or change your story to win approval.
Sit with this Have you ever reshaped your story to win approval?
Ubadah ibn al-Samitعبادة بن الصامت
Speaking the truth wherever you are
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Say what is true, kindly, even when it is hard.
Sit with this Where are you holding back the truth for fear of blame?
Ubadah ibn al-Samitعبادة بن الصامت
Keeping the pledge
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Renew your commitment to the basics, and keep it.
Sit with this Which basic commitment to Allah do you need to renew?
Honest in handling zakat
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Take only what is due, and refer to your authority when in doubt.
Sit with this When you handle what is owed, do you take only what is due?
Umar ibn al-Khattabعمر بن الخطاب
Stopping at the Book of Allah
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When you are angry, let a single verse or reminder be enough to make you stop.
Sit with this Could a single verse be enough to stop your anger?
Umar ibn al-Khattabعمر بن الخطاب
Fulfilling vows made in the past
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If you promised something good, even long ago, keep your word.
Sit with this Is there a good promise from long ago you have not yet kept?
Umm Atiyyah al-Ansariyyahأم عطية الأنصارية
Keeping the pledge not to wail
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Keep the promises you make to Allah and His Messenger, even in grief.
Sit with this Which promise to Allah is hardest to keep in grief?
Umm Ayman (Barakah)أم أيمن (بركة)
Making a gift of her own food
Try this today
Share a food from your own tradition with those you love.
Sit with this What food from your own tradition could you share with someone you love?
Umm Hani bint Abi Talibأم هانئ بنت أبي طالب
Giving protection to someone in danger
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Stand up for a person who has put their trust in you and keep your word to them.
Sit with this Who has put their trust in you, and will you keep your word to them?
Umm Hani bint Abi Talibأم هانئ بنت أبي طالب
Greeting and seeking permission with courtesy
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Introduce yourself clearly and gently when you visit, and give people their privacy.
Sit with this Do you visit with courtesy and give people their privacy?
Umm Hani bint Abi Talibأم هانئ بنت أبي طالب
Keeping a small, blessed source of livelihood
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Take simple, honest work seriously, and see the blessing in what Allah has given you.
Sit with this Do you see the blessing in the simple, honest work you have?
Umm Haram bint Milhanأم حرام بنت ملحان
Hospitality: feeding the Prophet
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Open your table; a simple meal for a guest is a lasting good.
Sit with this Whom could you feed at your table this week?
Giving calm, practical counsel
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When people are stuck, show them the action instead of arguing the point.
Sit with this When people are stuck, could you show them the action instead of arguing?
Praying for good at the sickbed and the funeral
Try this today
At a sickbed or funeral, say only du'as of goodness; angels say Amen.
Sit with this At a sickbed or funeral, do you say only words of goodness?
Umm Waraqah bint Abdullahأم ورقة بنت عبد الله
Planning for freedom of those who served her
Try this today
Plan acts of generosity and justice into your will.
Sit with this What generosity or justice could you plan into your will?
Accepting correction and learning from regret
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Be quick to accept correction and restrain yourself from judging the heart.
Sit with this Are you quick to judge what is in someone else's heart?
Standing for equal justice
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Do not seek to bend the rules for the well-connected.
Sit with this Do you expect the rules to bend for the well-connected?
Following the plague guidance
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Follow safe and sound public health guidance in an outbreak.
Sit with this Do you follow sound public health guidance as part of your faith?
Being thankful for others' blessings
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Say thank you out loud for the good people bring.
Sit with this Whose good could you thank out loud today?
Seeking closeness even in a fair claim
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Justice and affection can sit together; do not hold back love.
Sit with this Can justice and affection sit together in how you treat people?
Modesty (haya')
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Treat modesty as strength; let it shape what you say and show.
Sit with this What would modesty change in what you say and show today?
Piety and truthfulness
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Honour a rival's character; truthful speech is a sign of fear of Allah.
Sit with this Can you honour the goodness of someone you quarrel with?
Quickly calm after anger
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Let anger pass fast and move to reconciliation.
Sit with this How quickly does your anger pass into reconciliation?
Concern for the community's moral state
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Care for the moral health of your community, not only yourself.
Sit with this Do you care about the moral health of your community as well as your own?
Other themes
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