146
Thoughtfulness
In a society in which the values of the Qur'an are not dominant,
there are people who are crude, impolite, thoughtless and disrespectful.
But believers carefully avoid these kinds of manners and behaviour;
they have a quality of character that is irreproachable, polite, sensitive
and thoughtful. These are also qualities of Allah's Messengers. In the
Qur'an we are told about Musa (as)'s subtle way of thinking:
When he arrived at the water of Madyan, he found a crowd of peo-
ple drawing water there. Standing apart from them, he found two
women, holding back their sheep. He said, "What are you two
doing here?" They said, "We cannot draw water until the shepherds
have driven off their sheep. You see our father is a very old man."
So he drew water for them and then withdrew into the shade and
said, "My Lord, I am truly in need of any good You have in store for
me." (Surat al-Qasas: 23-24)
Being a sensitive man, Musa (as) immediately recognised that
the women he met were in need and he helped them without wast-
ing any time. This characteristic of Musa (as) is praised in the
Qur'an and people of faith take it as an example in their daily
lives. When they see someone who is in a difficult or anxious
state they immediately try to do everything they can to help.
Besides this, they try to cheer them up and in order to create a
happy and beautiful ambiance, they act nobly in a way that will
please them.
It is a quality of thoughtfulness to act in a way that will not
make people uncomfortable. Aperson in a family situation who
keeps shared things and areas clean and in order, avoids speak-
24 Hours in the Life of a Muslim
i
i
li