Qur'an Guidance for Etiquette

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Thursday, 23 June 2011 10:58

1.      Always Respond to a 'Greeting': "When greeted with a greeting, you shall respond with a better greeting or at least an equal one. Allah reckons all things." (an-Nisa’ 4:86) 2.      Always Say 'Good' things: "Do you not see that Allah has cited the example of a good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky. It produces its crop every season, as designed by its Lord. Allah thus cites the examples for the people, that they may take heed." (Ibrahim 14:24-25) 3.      Be 'Humble', and speak 'Lightly': "Walk humbly and lower your voice, the ugliest voice is the donkey's voice." (Luqman 31:19) 4.      Invite to Allah with wisdom and kindness: "Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your Lord knows best who has strayed from His path, and He knows best who the guided ones are." (an-Nahl’ 16:125) "It was mercy from Allah that you became compassionate towards them. Had you been harsh and mean-hearted, they would have abandoned you. Therefore, you shall pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them. Once you make a decision, carry out your plan, and trust in Allah. Allah loves those who trust in Him." (al-E-Imran 3:159) 5.      Be Kind to your parents: "Your Lord has decreed that you shall not worship except Him, and your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" [the slightest gesture of annoyance], nor shall you shout at them; you shall treat them amicably. And lower for them the wings of humility, and kindness, and say, "My Lord, have mercy on them, for they have raised me from infancy." (al-Isra’ 17:23-24) 6.      Suppress Anger & Forgive People: "who [the righteous] give to charity during the good times, as well as the bad times. They are suppressors of anger, and pardoners of the people. Allah loves the charitable." (al-E-Imran 3:134) 7.      Counter Evil with Good: "Not equal is the good response and the bad response. You shall resort to the nicest possible response. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy may become your best friend." (Fussilat 41:34) "They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Salat, spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode." (al-Ra’d 13:22) 8.      Do NOT Say 'Bad' things: "And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it firm." (Ibrahim 14:26) 9.      Do NOT be 'Arrogant' or 'Carefree': "You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth carefree. Allah does not like the arrogant showoffs." (Luqman 31:18) 10.     Do NOT engage in 'ignorant' talk: "The servants of the Almighty are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace." (al-Furqan 25:63) 11.     Do NOT Curse the Idolaters: "And do not curse those who call on other than Allah, lest they blaspheme and curse Allah, out of ignorance. We have adorned the works of every group in their eyes. Ultimately, they return to their Lord, and then He informs them of everything they had done." (al-An’ am 6:108) 12.     Do NOT make fun of others, or call them names: "O you who believe, no people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or call each other names. Evil indeed is the reversion to wickedness after attaining faith. Anyone who does not repent after this, these are the transgressors." (al-Hujarat 49:11) 13.     Do NOT be suspicious, or spy on one another, or backbite: "O you who believe, if a wicked person brings any news to you, you shall first investigate, lest you commit injustice towards some people, out of ignorance, then become sorry and remorseful for what you have done." (al-Hujarat 49:6) "O you who believe, you shall avoid any suspicion, for even a little bit of suspicion is sinful. You shall not spy on one another, nor shall you backbite one another; this is as abominable as eating the flesh of your dead brother. You certainly abhor this. You shall observe Allah. Allah is Redeemer, Most Merciful." (al-Hujarat 49:12) 14.     Do NOT be 'Racist': "O people, We created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Allah is Omniscient, Cognizant." (al-Hujarat 49:13) Note: The above points are some of the etiquette we learn from Qur'an that apply to our general living, and the verses of the Qur'an from which the guideline is drawn. For various English interpretations of the meaning, follow the links or research further at http://IslamAwakened.com/Quran