Islam As It Is
Islamic Character
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rupee he spends. When a man discovers God, it is
as if he had suddenly inherited great wealth, and he
becomes the biggest-hearted of all human beings.
On the other hand, the man who remains distant
from his Maker can have no knowledge of this
spiritual wealth and, therefore, remains mean-
spirited in his dealings with others. The possessor
of spiritual wealth develops the capacity to put up
with untold losses in this world. Magnanimity
becomes the hallmark of his behaviour, as all traces
of petty-mindedness vanishes from his personality.
His is a generous spirit and a sublime nature.
It is this quality, which has been attributed to the
Prophet Mohammad: “Surely, you have a sublime
character” (Quran, 68:4). What does this “sublime
character” consist of? It is the capacity always to be
guided by high moral principles, and never to act
merely on the basis of the treatment one receives
from others. A sublime character does not react
violently in an adverse situation, nor does it indulge
in vengeful retaliation. This is what is known as
being ‘a man of principle.’ It was this type of human
being that the Prophet Mohammed urged his
followers to become when he warned them not to
