The master of traditions, Mullah Muhammad Muhsin ibn al-Murtada al-Fayd al-Kashani has written that the most noble Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) said:
“By the One Who has my soul in His hand, none will enter the Garden except those who have good behavior.” He also said, “Truly, Allah has encircled Islam with nobility of character and righteous actions.”
Al-Fayd al-Kashani commented:
“The following aspects of noble behavior might be mentioned: enjoying healthy social relations; spending one’s energy in undertaking kindly actions, establishing peace; feeding people; visiting sick Muslims, whether they be righteous or astray; accompanying the funeral procession to the grave; having good relations with one’s neighbors, be they Muslim or non-believers; showing respect for the older generation; forgiveness and peacemaking between people; having generosity; nobility and tolerance; greeting people with the word salam (peace); suppressing one’s anger, defending Islam; and rendering loathsome [to oneself and others] lying, backbiting, slander, miserliness, oppression, deviousness, trickery, bad relations between people, breaking off family relations, pride, haughtiness, deceit, envy, injustice, tyranny and violence.
“According to the consensus of scholars, jurists, and historians, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was the gentlest of people, the most courageous, the most just, the most forgiving, and the most generous; he would not sleep for a single night while there was a dinar or a dirham remaining in his house; if any money remained in his possession, he would not return to his house until he had given it away in charity or in generosity.
“He used to mend his own shoes and patch his own clothes; he would serve by performing household jobs and would help by cutting up the meat with the womenfolk. He was the most modest of men, never allowing his glance to linger when looking at someone’s face. He would accept an invitation from both freeman and slave. He would accept presents. He would not eat out of charity. When he ate, he would eat what was within his reach, and never reclining. He never ate his fill of bread for three consecutive days for as long as he lived, and this was out of desire to discipline himself — not because of poverty or miserliness. He would attend feasts, visit the sick, witness burials and walk amongst his enemies without a guard. He would sit with the poor and bereft and share their meals.”
Source: Al-Muhajjah al-Bayda fi Tahdhib al-Ihya
