Allah (Glorified and Exalted Be He) created us in the best of stature and mentioned some characteristics that He (SWT) loves in His servants such as:
“مُخۡبِتِينَ” The Arabic word Mukhbitin has no equivalent in English but it means the Humble. It includes those who:
- Give up pride, arrogance and adopt humility before Allah.
- Surrender themselves to His service and slavery.
- Accept His decrees sincerely. {Al A-moudi explanation}
In Surah Al-Hajj verse 34 and 35, Allah (the Most Gentle) mentions this characteristic and says:
“And for all religion We have appointed a rite [of sacrifice] that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of [sacrificial] animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, [O Muhammad], give good tidings to the humble [before their Lord] (34) Whose hearts fear when Allah is mentioned, and the patient of whatever may befall them, and those who establish worship and who spend of that We have bestowed on them (35)”
“وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٖ جَعَلۡنَا مَنسَكٗا لِّيَذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِۗ فَإِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسۡلِمُواْۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُخۡبِتِينَ (34) ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِي ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ (35)”
Ibn Kathir explanation says about Mukhbitin: their hearts fear Allah (SWT), the patient who bear afflictions may befall them, they fulfill the duties which Allah has enjoined upon them, the duty of performing the obligatory prayers, and they spend on their families and servants, and on the poor and needy; they treat people kindly while remaining within the limits set by Allah.
- أوَّابِينَ“” The Arabic word Awwabin means the Repentant. Those who keep returning to Allah (SWT) in repentance.
Allah (the All- and Oft-Forgiving) says:
“Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence).” (Al-Israa 25)
“رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِي نُفُوسِكُمْ ۚ إِن تَكُونُوا صَالِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّابِينَ غَفُورًا (25)”
Ibn Kathir said that Ibn Jarir said: “The best view on this matter is of those who said that it refers to the one who repents after committing sins, who comes back from disobedience to obedience and who leaves that which Allah hates for that which He loves and is pleased with.” What he said is correct, for Allah says,
إِنَّ إِلَيْنَآ إِيَابَهُمْ
(Verily, to Us will be their return) (88:25).
And according to a Sahih Hadith, the Messenger of Allah would say when he returned from a journey: «آيِبُونَ تَائِبُونَ، عَابِدُونَ لِرَبِّنَا حَامِدُون»
(We have returned repenting, worshipping and praising our Lord.)
- “مُتَعفّفين“The Arabic word Muta’afifin means people who have Self-Sufficient and Modesty.
Allah (SWT) says:
“[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (Al-Baqarah 273)
“لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَاهُمْ لَا يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ (273)”
Allah (the Self-Sufficient) ordered us to give charity to the people who cannot move about in the land (for trade or work) and says that the one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. The one may know them by their mark they do not beg of people at all. (Ibn Khatir Explanation) So giving charity to those people will be in the way of Allah (SWT)
- أَوّاهين“” The Arabic word Awwaahin means Tender-hearted. Allah (SWT) loves people who have Soft hearts.
In Surah At-taubah verse 114, Allah (the Most Forbearing) mentions this characteristic in His Prophet Abraham (PBUH):
” And Abraham prayed for his father’s forgiveness only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him: for Abraham was most tender-hearted, forbearing.”
” وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ (114)”
This characteristic was one of our Prophet Abraham’s (Peace be Upon Him) comprehensive characteristics. Al-Maududi said: “Abrah (PBUH) was Awwah. It means that he was lamenting, humble, weeping, grief-stricken, and God-fearing. Prophet Abraham (PBUH) prayed for his father because he was tender-hearted and lamented for him that he would become the fuel for the fire of Hell. As he had full control over himself, and was very forbearing, he prayed even for that father who had persecuted him cruelly to hinder him from the way of Islam. Lastly, he was God-fearing and did not want to go beyond the limits in his love for his father; so, he broke off all his relations with his father when he realized that he was an enemy of Allah (SWT).”
- “مُجَٰهِدِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ” The Arabic word Almujaahideena fee sabeel Allah means those who strive in the way of Allah.
Allah (the Most High) described this characteristic he loves in His servants in verse 95 of Surah An-Nisa saying:
“Those of the believers who sit still, other than those who have a (disabling) hurt, are not on an equality with those who strive in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives. Allah hath conferred on those who strive with their wealth and lives a rank above the sedentary. Unto each Allah hath promised good, but He hath bestowed on those who strive a great reward above the sedentary;”
” لَّا يَسۡتَوِي ٱلۡقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ غَيۡرُ أُوْلِي ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلۡمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمۡوَٰلِهِمۡ وَأَنفُسِهِمۡ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةٗۚ وَكُلّٗا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلۡقَٰعِدِينَ أَجۡرًا عَظِيمٗا (95)”
Allah (Glory be to Him) preferred those who strive in his way with their goods and their persons above those who sit at home. He (the Most Noble) promised them a tremendous reward and higher grades in Paradise.
- “يُؤۡثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ“ The Arabic word U’thiroona ‘alaa anfusihim means who give [others] preference over themselves.
Allah (the Watchful) says:
“Those who entered the city and the faith before them love those who flee unto them for refuge, and find in their breasts no need for that which hath been given them, but prefer (the fugitives) above themselves though poverty become their lot. And whoso is saved from his own avarice – such are they who are successful.” (Al-Hashr 9)
” وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلۡإِيمَٰنَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ يُحِبُّونَ مَنۡ هَاجَرَ إِلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمۡ حَاجَةٗ مِّمَّآ أُوتُواْ وَيُؤۡثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بِهِمۡ خَصَاصَةٞۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهِۦ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ (9)”
Ibn Kathir said: “Allah (SWT) says about the selflessness of the Ansar:
وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ
(and give them preference over themselves even though they were in need of that.) Meaning, they preferred giving to the needy rather than attending to their own needs, and began by giving the people before their own selves, even though they too were in need.
Ibn Kathir also said: “Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith in another part of his Sahih. Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i collected this Hadith. In another narration for this Hadith, the Companion’s name was mentioned, it was Abu Talhah Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him).”
- “مُقْسِطِين” The Arabic word Muqsiteen means those whoact justly.The Equitableis alsoone of Allah’s (SWT) names.
Allah (SWT) says:
“(They are fond of) listening to falsehood, of devouring anything forbidden. If they do come to thee, either judge between them, or decline to interfere. If thou decline, they cannot hurt thee in the least. If thou judge, judge in equity between them. For Allah loveth those who judge in equity.” (Al-Ma’idah 42)
“سَمَّـٰعُونَ لِلۡكَذِبِ أَكَّـٰلُونَ لِلسُّحۡتِۚ فَإِن جَآءُوكَ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَهُمۡ أَوۡ أَعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡۖ وَإِن تُعۡرِضۡ عَنۡهُمۡ فَلَن يَضُرُّوكَ شَيۡـٔٗاۖ وَإِنۡ حَكَمۡتَ فَٱحۡكُم بَيۡنَهُم بِٱلۡقِسۡطِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ (42)”
Allah (the Utterly Just) orders His Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) to be fair when he judges between the Jews and Hypocrites because Allah (the Equitable) loves those who act justly.
- يُنفِقُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الله““ The Arabic word Yunfiqoona fee Sabeel Allah means those who spend their money in Allah’s way.
Allah (the Greatest) says:
“Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Baqarah 274)
“ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٰلَهُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ سِرّٗا وَعَلَانِيَةٗ فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (274)”
Allah (the Most Generous) promised His servants who are also generous and spend their money, even a little, in the way of Allah (SWT) a reward and secure from fear and grief. So, try your best to be one of the winners in this present life and the Hereafter.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good – Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1344; Muslim, 1014.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “If one give in charity what equals one date-fruit from the honestly earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money –Allah takes it in His right (hand) and then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much s that it becomes as big as a mountain.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “There is no day on which the people get up but two angels come down and one of them says, ‘O Allah, give in compensation to the one who spends (in charity),’ and the other says, ‘O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.’”
Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1374; Muslim, 1010.
- “مُطَهِّرِينَ“ The Arabic word Muttahhireen means people who like to purifythemselves.
Allah (the Absolute Truth) says to His Messenger:
“Never stand (to pray) there. A place of worship which was found upon duty (to Allah) from the first day is more worthy that thou shouldst stand (to pray) therein, wherein are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loveth the purifiers.” (At-taubah 108)
“لَا تَقُمۡ فِيهِ أَبَدٗاۚ لَّمَسۡجِدٌ أُسِّسَ عَلَى ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنۡ أَوَّلِ يَوۡمٍ أَحَقُّ أَن تَقُومَ فِيهِۚ فِيهِ رِجَالٞ يُحِبُّونَ أَن يَتَطَهَّرُواْۚ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُطَّهِّرِينَ (108)”
Allah (SWT) ordered His Prophet (PBUH) not to stand in the mosque the hypocrites built. The Masjid built from the first day on Taqwa is more worthy to stand in (pray) because there you will find men who love to purify themselves. And Allah (SWT) loves those who make themselves clean and pure.
- كَاظمين ٱلۡغَيۡظَ““ The Arabic word Kaazimeenal ghaiz means people who repress anger.
Allah (the Pardoner) says:
“Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for Allah loves those who do good” (Al-Imran 134)
“ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِي ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلۡكَٰظِمِينَ ٱلۡغَيۡظَ وَٱلۡعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ (134)”
Ibn Kathir explanation said: “for when they are angry, they control their anger and do act upon it. Rather, they even forgive those who hurt them. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (PBUH) said,
«لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، وَلكِنَّ الشَّدِيدَ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَب»
[The strong person is not he who is able to physically overcome people. The strong person is he who overcomes his rage when he is angry.] This Hadith is also recorded in the Two Sahihs.
And Allah knows best.
