LECTURE 4: Muslim Personality  First generation muslims were known as ‘Quranic generation’ because of their extraordinary personalities.  By the revelation of the verse ‘Iqra ’ (Read), Allah (SWT) emphasized on the importance of knowledge; thus gaining knowledge is a necessary trait of a muslim personality.  Another trait is Conviction that helps a man to move forward for action, gives steadfastness, patience, perseverance, dedication and consistent commitment in life.

 The hall mark of Muslim personality today is to shape their life in the image of the companions of Prophet (pbuh), rather than to submit to the whims and fancies of people.  ‘Enjoin good and forbid evil’ should be one of the core concepts required to shape a Muslim personality.  Once our prophet (SM) was asked, “which Muslim has the perfect faith”? He answered, “he who has the best moral character”. (Tirmidhi) Moral Character

 Building a Muslim personality needs constant and conscious training and practice.  Muslims are the vicegerents of Allah on Earth and thus, the training should equip them both for this world and the hereafter.  Muslim parents should make their best efforts to guide their children following the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SM). What is needed?

MUSLIM M for Moulding life in the color of Allah U for Understanding the world and of Islam S for Surrendering to Allah L for Link with Allah I for Integrity of character M for Motivation to work for humanity

Sample Questions 1. What were the characteristics of the first generations of Muslims who brought out an extraordinary social revolution in the history of mankind? 2. What made the world created by the first generations of Muslims different from the world today? 3. What can we learn from those Muslims in order for us to achieve success in this world and in the hereafter? 4. How did those Muslims show love and compassion? 5. Discuss what gives human beings a higher status compared to other creatures including angels.

Sample Questions - cont. 6. What two factors strengthen a Muslim? 7. What should be the habits of a Muslim? 8. Why is it important for Muslims to be always vigilant of what is happening around them and the wider world? 9. How do we train ourselves to build a Muslim personality? 10. Who are the best Muslims? 11. On what relies a human being's success or failure to implement Allah's divine will? 12. Give 2 reasons why it is a near impossible task to see Islam shaping the life of the western society.