The word 'Adab' is commonly understood as the Islamic etiquette.

💚💚💚The word 'Adab' is commonly understood as Islamic etiquette. The word 'Adab' is commonly understood as the Islamic etiquette of having good manners and character. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. is known to be a person of the best etiquette and moral values concerning his relationships with Allah s.w.t, himself, and others. There are many instances from historical accounts where Prophet Muhammad s.a.w showed excellence in character. When the Prophet’s wife Aisyah r.a described the etiquette of her beloved husband, she said,

“His character was the Quran”.

(Sahih Muslim)

In the Quran, Allah s.w.t. described the Prophet s.a.w.:

,وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ”

And you are truly an excellent standard of character.

Surah Al-Qalam(68:4)

In one of the hadiths, the Prophet mentioned that one of the main purposes for his appointment as a prophet is to perfect the moral character of the people. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w said:

“I was sent to perfect good character.”

(Sahih Muslim)

The Prophet s.a.w also said:

“The most perfect/complete believers in faith is he who is the best of them in manners.”

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

By referring to the contents of the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet s.a.w on Adab or good character, we will find that morality is highly regarded in Islam. This also shows that morality is deeply rooted in the principles of faith. The Islamic moral system encompasses every aspect of life, including one’s affairs and relationship with the self, others, and ultimately with The Creator. Therefore, having good morals will benefit us in ways that strengthen our faith.

In the discussion of having good manners, people tend to focus more on their dealings with others. However, I would like to first emphasise the Adab with The Creator, as the basis of our manners before proceeding to the other aspects of manners.

Imam Al-Ghazali rahimahullah (May God Bless Him) mentioned observing Adab in our conduct with Allah s.w.t in his book ‘The Beginning of Guidance’, stressing the point that Adab towards Allah means to refrain from any disobedience in our actions and sayings:

“Know that your disobedience against Allah s.w.t with your physical body, while it is a bounty from Allah and a trust to you, and using it to disobey Him is the ultimate ingratitude. And your betrayal of Him entrusting you (with your physical body) that he has placed on you is the ultimate transgression. Indeed, the parts of your body are your subjects, so pay attention to how you govern them.”

Allah s.w.t has reminded us in many instances within the Quran about how humans will be held accountable for how we make use of the capabilities that Allah s.w.t bestowed us with. In Surah An-Nur, verse 24 Allah s.w.t mentioned:

يَوۡمَ تَشهَدُ عَلَيهِمۡ أَلۡسِنَتُهُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَأَرۡجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَعۡمَلُونَ

“On the day when their tongues and their hands and their feet testify against them as to what they used to do.”

(Surah An-Nur: 24)

Imam Al-Ghazali also mentioned some forms of Adab of a servant towards his/her Creator:

Hastening to fulfill His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions
Constant remembrance of Him
Contemplate on His decree

Therefore, emulating prophetic manners, obeying Allah’s commands and abstaining from His prohibitions will make us among the recipients of Allah’s mercy as stated in the Quran:

وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرۡحَمُونَ

“And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.”

(Surah Al-Imran: 132)