The Heaviest Thing on the Scale
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At the heart of the book is a long chapter on good character. And the hadith here are some of the most powerful in all of Islam.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, in a hadith in Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi: nothing is heavier on the scale of the believer on the Day of Judgement than good character.
He was asked what most often brings people into Paradise. He said: fear of Allah, and good character. And he said: the most complete of the believers in faith are the best of them in character.
He said, in Abu Dawud: by his good character, the believer reaches the rank of the one who fasts by day and prays by night. And in Sahih Muslim, when asked about righteousness, he said: righteousness is good character. And sin is what wavers in your chest, and you would hate for people to see it.
And then there is a hadith that every one of us should memorise. The Prophet asked: shall I not tell you who is forbidden for the Fire? Every person who is easy-going, gentle, soft, and approachable. It is in al-Tirmidhi.
The book also warns of the opposite. It is reported that bad character spoils faith the way vinegar spoils honey. All the sweetness of your prayers and fasting can be soured by a harsh tongue and a hard heart.
