An Example of Noble Character

THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER This is why, to walk the path of compassion, one must be firmly grounded in patience. If you wish to treat others with kindness as commanded in the Quran, you must be willing to bear both perceived and real wrongs—unilaterally. You must train yourself to abandon the habit of taking constant offense. This is the essence of patience. And without this patience, one cannot truly be counted among the fortunate. TRUE WISDOM Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Prophet of Islam was in the mosque of Madinah, with a group of his companions seated around him. Just then, a young man from the Ansar arrived and asked him a few questions. The Prophet answered them. Their exchange went as follows: The young man asked, “O Messenger of God, who is the best among the believers?” The Prophet replied, “The one with the best character.” He then asked, “And who is the wisest among the believers?” The Prophet replied, “The one who remembers death the most and prepares for it the most before it comes. They are the wisest.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 4259) A person’s character improves in direct proportion to the depth of their faith. When a person develops genuine consciousness of God, it reflects in their dealings with others—they become just, kind, and considerate. And that is the essence of good character.