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5 Negative Character Traits

(f rom Surah Hujurat)

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 By Raiiq Ridwan

The Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “I have been sent only to
perfect good character.” [Narrated by Ahmad] It shows the importance of character in
Islam when the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam puts that much emphasis on building
character. Unfortunately, in muslim circles today character is not seen as a very
important hallmark of faith.

Character is so important in fact that Allah has mentioned about it all over the Quran.
Surah Hujurat is one of the Surahs whose central theme is about the character traits of
the believer and their behaviour towards others. This article will list ve negative
character traits that Allah has asked the believers to stay away from in Surah Hujurat.
1.

Narrating whatever one hears

“O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information,
investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done,
regretful” [Quran 49:6]

Today in the age of information, it is very easy to pass on information to someone else
without verifying. A lot of information passed on really is false. Things can get even
worse when information is passed around about other people, causing rifts in families
and a lot of pain and hurt. The Prophet said, “It is enough lying for a man to speak of
everything that he hears.” [Narrated by Muslim] Narrating whatever we hear is
considered lying, and Allah has cursed the liars over 10 times in the Quran. It is
something we de nitely need to stay away from
2.

Mockery
“O you who have believed, let not a group of people mock [other] people; perhaps they may
be better than them; nor let women mock [other] women; perhaps they may be better than
them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [o ensive] nicknames.
Wretched is the name of shamelessness after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent –
then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” [Quran 49:11]

Mockery has become such a part of life these days! Allah emphatically prohibits it. We
are asked to remember that perhaps those whom we mock might actually be better
than us. Allah also tells us in this verse about how the name of shamelessness is
wretched. This is a reminder to use good language as well. More often than not,
mockery involves use of foul language.
3.

Suspicion
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“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is sin.”
[Quran 49:12]
 Many a times we are full of suspicion. Allah says that some types of suspicion is sinful.
Obviously, if someone is hearing something or seeing something from someone who is
known for deception, then it is ok to be suspicious. But many a times we are suspicious
of everyone. Shaykh Bin Baaz says about it, “What is prescribed for the believer is to
respect his brother if he o ers an excuse to him, to accept his apology if possible, and
to think positively of him as much as possible, striving to keep hearts free of resentment
and aiming to bring about unity and co-operation in doing good. It was narrated from
‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Do not think badly of any word
uttered by your brother when you can nd a good interpretation for it.”
4.

Backbiting
“And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the esh of his brother
when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and
Merciful.” [Quran 49:12]

Backbiting has become so commonplace today that it is not even seen as something
wrong! Yet Allah gives such a gruesome example of how awful it really is. It is like eating
the esh of one’s dead brother. There is a hadith which says that backbiting someone is
giving them a share of our good deeds and taking a share of their sins! Who would want
to do something so nasty? Other hadith rank backbiting as one of the top 7 sins!
5.

Feeling as if we are doing Islam a service

“They consider it a favor to you that they have accepted Islam. Say, “Do not consider your
Islam a favor to me. Rather, Allah has conferred favor upon you that He has guided you to
the faith, if you should be truthful.” [Quran 49:17]

At times we feel as if we are doing Islam a service by being Muslim. Almost as if Islam
would be worse o if we did not exist. This is a very terrible trait. Islam is a gift of Allah
to us, and He is free of any need. We need Islam, we need Allah, we need His Mercy. His
faith will su ce without us, and His faith will shine without us.

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