Ibn ‘Agil al-Hanbali’s Essay on Islamic Manners

Allaah granted his Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, qualities of perfection and noble characteristics which distinguished him from all other human beings. Consequently, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, combined all the possible virtuous human traits and was the best leading example in treating others with benevolence. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was a sublime example in his interactions with people, old and young, believers and disbelievers, the common people and close Companions. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would support the oppressed, aid the needy, persevere patiently despite the harm he faced from foolish people, face evil with goodness, meet people with a smiling and cheerful face and was unfailingly generous and kind when dealing with people.

As soon as his enemies discovered his extraordinary personality and his exceptional manners, they immediately responded to his call and believed in the message he was preaching. One such person who came to believe in him told him after accepting Islaam: ” I swear by Allaah O Muhammad! There was no one on the face of the earth who was more detested to me than you. However, now your religion (the religion you are conveying) is the dearest religion to me. There was no land more hated by me than your land, but now it is the dearest part of earth to me.” In this book, you will come to know the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and how he dealt with different types of people, each according to their qualities and particular circumstances. You will know him as a husband, a father, a neighbor, a friend, as a buyer and a seller, a judge, and someone who gave jurisprudential verdicts. Allaah The Almighty sent the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as a slave and a Messenger and bestowed upon him the best manners and the most beautiful qualities. We have outlined some of the interpersonal interactions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in order to highlight how a person whose manners are in consonance with the teachings of the Qur’aan should be.

By learning about his qualities and the way he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, interacted with people, one would know how he dealt with people in their homes, in the market and other places in all walks of life. How did this unlettered Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, treat people whether they were relatives or strangers, virtuous or sinners, noble or evil? What benefit can one derive by studying his qualities and manners, that reflect his nobility, generosity and perfect manners? This book answers all these questions and more, and paints a vivid picture of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who was sent by his Lord to perfect good manners.