Conduct and dealings
This subject is more than general advice about good behaviour. It connects rights, ethics and everyday manners to real situations, so that justice, trustworthiness and gentleness shape practical conduct.
Chapter guide
Start with the situations most relevant to you, then return to the ruling and its source before applying general principles to a detailed personal case.
Intention, justice and keeping commitments
Begin with obligations and people’s rights before expanding into optional acts. Justice and fulfilling trusts are central to dealings.
Kindness and maintaining ties without disobedience
Learn the limits of obedience, respectful speech, financial support and maintaining family relations while remaining faithful to what is right.
Affection, rights and responsibility
Mutual rights, good companionship, confidentiality, maintenance, upbringing and resolving disputes without injustice or public humiliation.
Hospitality without harm
Rights of neighbours, manners of hosting, asking permission and respecting privacy.
Truthfulness, verification and avoiding backbiting
Words carry responsibility: speak truthfully, guard your tongue, verify a report before passing it on and resist rumours.
Greetings, permission and confidentiality
Manners of sitting together, greeting, making room for others, avoiding exclusionary whispering and keeping confidences.
Consent, disclosure and avoiding fraud
Mutual consent, disclosing defects, the prohibition of fraud, usury and injustice, and documenting rights when needed.
Documentation, patience and repayment
Record debts, intend to repay them, do not delay payment when able, and be considerate toward someone in hardship.
Trust, quality and time
Wages are paid in return for work: do not misuse working hours, betray financial trusts or misrepresent what has been completed.
Fairness and mercy
Distinguish scholarly difference from personal hostility. Discuss the view fairly, preserve the other person’s rights and avoid aggression.
Strength in controlling anger
Forbearance is not weakness: restrain yourself even when you can pursue a legitimate right in a just manner.
A quality needed in every setting
Show gentleness in teaching, at home, at work and when inviting others to good; necessary firmness does not require harshness.
No spying or exposure of faults
Protect messages, images and secrets; do not expose others’ mistakes or spy on people.
Responsibility extends to the screen
Publishing, forwarding, testifying and commenting are all subject to duties of truthful speech, verification and respect for rights.
Beginning in Allah’s name, the right hand and moderation
Learn the established manners of eating and drinking, and avoid waste and excess.
Modesty and cleanliness without extravagance
Observe modesty, cleanliness and appropriate adornment while avoiding arrogance, extravagance and what is prohibited.
Prevent harm and respect common rights
Remove hazards, do not obstruct others, respect rules that safeguard rights and care for shared property.
Compassion and doing good
Treat animals kindly without cruelty, maintain cleanliness and prevent harm to people.
Practical application
What is obligatory or prohibited, and what is owed to the other party?
Speech, money, appointments, promises, anger or privacy.
Choose a change you can observe and review.
Return what is owed, apologise and repair the harm where possible.
When does a payment amount to prohibited bribery?
Read the sourced answer →A gift to a manager or employee and its effect on trust.
Read the sourced answer →Distinguishing bribery from a fee paid to an independent agent.
Read the original Arabic answer →A practical question for students and young people.
Read the sourced answer →