Akber Hameer
(Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
Besides the laws revealed by Allah (SWT) that were designed to govern our lives, the Qur’an has also indicated a list of etiquettes, which we are advised to maintain in our dealings with each other in this life. “This Qur’an guides to that which is more upright, and it gives glad tidings to the believers who do good work that they will have a bountiful reward.” (Qur’an 17:9)
The below list deal with etiquettes and some of them also permeate into laws of the Shari’ah. Allah (SWT) makes these rulings and recommendations for us to “hear and obey” in a guarantee that it will lead to happiness for all involved.
a.. Always Respond to a Greeting
”And if you are greeted with a greeting, then return an even better greeting or return the same. God is Reckoning over all things.” (Qur’an 4:86)
b.. Be Humble and Speak Lightly
”And be humble in how you walk and lower your voice. For the harshest of all voices is the donkey’s voice.” (Qur’an 31:19)
c.. Invite to God with Wisdom and Kindness
”Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice, and argue with them in that which is better. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided ones.” (Qur’an 16:125)
d.. Be Kind to Your Parents
”And your Lord decreed that you shall not serve except Him, and do good to your parents. When one of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to them a word of disrespect nor raise your voice at them, but say to them a kind saying. And lower for them the wing of humility through mercy, and Say: ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they have raised me when I was small.’” (Qur’an 17:23-24)
e.. Suppress Anger and Forgive People
”And race towards a forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose width encompasses the width of the heavens and the Earth, it has been prepared for the righteous. The ones who spend in prosperity and adversity, and who repress anger, and who pardon the people; God loves the good doers.” (Qur’an 3:133-134)
f.. Counter Evil with Good
”Not equal are the good and the bad response. You shall resort to the one, which is better. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy may become your best friend.” (Qur’an 41:34)
”And those who are patient seeking their Lord’s direction; and they hold the contact-method, and they spend from what We bestowed upon them secretly and openly, and they counter sin with good; these will have an excellent abode.” (Qur’an 13:22)
g.. Do not say Bad Things
”And the example of a bad word is like a tree which has been uprooted from the surface of the Earth, it has nowhere to settle.” (Qur’an 14:26)
h.. Do not be Arrogant or Proud
”And do not turn your cheek arrogantly from people, nor shall you roam the Earth insolently. For God does not like the arrogant show offs.” (Qur’an 31:18)
i.. Do not engage in Ignorant Talk
”And the servants of the Almighty who walk on the Earth in humility and if the ignorant people speak to them, they Say: ‘Peace.’” (Qur’an 25:63)
j.. Do not insult the Idolaters
”And do not insult those who call on other than God, lest they insult God without knowledge. And We have similarly adorned for every nation their works; then to their Lord is their return and He will inform them of what they had done.” (Qur’an 6:108)
k.. Do not make Fun of Others, or call Them Names
”O you who believe, let not a people ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or call each other names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. And anyone who does not repent, then these are the transgressors.” (Qur’an 49:11)
l.. Do not be Suspicious, or Spy on One Another, or Backbite
”O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion, for some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another. Would one of you enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother? You certainly would hate this. You shall observe God. God is Redeemer, Merciful.” (Qur’an 49:12)
m.. Do not be Racist
”O mankind, We created you from a male and female, and We made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Surely, the most honourable among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is Knowledgeable, Expert.” (Qur’an 49:13)
