ILIT Presents

an Interactive Workshop on Akhlaq

(Morals & Ethics)

Be the Muslim You Want to Meet!

ILIT presents an Interactive Workshop on Akhlaq

• What is Akhlaq?• Why is Akhlaq important?• What is Akhlaq trying to promote?• What is Akhlaq trying to prevent?• What are the consequences of bad Akhlaq?• How can we acquire good Akhlaq?

What is OUR Religion? • Islam is a belief in the heart, manifested by the tongue and

demonstrated with righteous deeds in this world.• Our religion is one of fraternity and brotherhood among

people.• Our Akhlaq towards people is a reflection of our own

akhlaq with Allah, because how we treat people is:– For the sake of Allah– Governed by the Laws of Allah

Our Prophet’s DirectiveWe, the Muslim Ummah, are the foundation of cooperation

and happiness in this life, therefore the prophet instructed that we, “Salute each other Salaam, (peace), openly and clearly.”

• He also stated that, “No believers will be true in their belief unless they love each other.”

This daily and routine etiquette promotes love and happiness to enter our souls towards one another.

• CAN YOU LOVE A STRANGER?

When there is No Love • Doors of enmity & aggression are opened and we treat

one another carelessly

-Rude to spouse-Abusive to children-Negligent or resentful of our obligation -Indifferent to one another's needs

Let’s Practice

• Stand, stretch and “Salaam” someone you don’t know or haven’t spoken to before

• Learn three – five facts about that person

(be ready to share)

Knowledge is Different from Belief

To Believe, the Heart Must Yield To the Mind

Faith is an affair of the heart, whereas knowledge is more of the mind

Faith

knowledge

Purge toxic & negative thoughts and habits, as well as negative cultural expectations

He ld Hostage

Akhlaq: Why is it Important?

Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, said:Prophet Muhammad, (pbuh), said:

“There is nothing that will be placed on the scale weightier, (more significant), than good Akhlaq.”

“He who has good Akhlaq will reach the rank of one who continuously observes fasts and performs abundant prayers.”

Akhlaq… Why is it Important?

We are not HUMAN BEINGS

having a spiritual experience.

We are SPIRITUAL BEINGS having a

human experience

And Our Soul will Complain

The Holy Quran says:• And every man-We have fastened to him his bird of omen

upon his neck and We shall bring forth for him, on the Day of Resurrection, a book he shall find spread wide open. Read thy book! Thy soul suffices thee this day as a reckoner against thee. Sura 17:13-14

• And the book shall be set in place; and thou wilt see the sinners fearful at what is in it, and saying, `Alas for us how is it with this Book, that it leaves nothing behind, small or great, but it has numbered it?' And they shall find all they wrought present, and thy Lord shall not wrong anyone.

Sura 18:49• The day every soul shall find what it has done of good

brought forward, and what it has done of evil; it will wish if there were only a far space between it and its deeds.

Sura 3:40

Akhlaq…Why is it Important?

Allah won’t settle His account with man until man first settles accounts with Allah’s creation!

What is Akhlaq?• Arabic term referring to the practice of virtue, morality and manners in

Islamic theology and philosophy.• It is most commonly translated in English as; disposition, nature, temper,

ethics, morals or manners (of a person).[

• It is the natural "Disposition“ of the soul (nafs) which unconsciously inspires activities.

• It is to train, affect the manner of upbringing and living

• Akhlaq, ethics and/or moralities:– are not chariots that can be stopped any time we want for getting in or getting out

• Learning Akhlaq for the sake of learning is not acceptable. – We are to take a look at oneself again and again to evaluate and reconstruct the spiritual

palace

Highest level: Surpasses even the high station of angels

Lowest level:To be lower than the level of beasts

Good Akhlaq

overpowers anger/desire

Desires overpower

intellect &

Reason

Bad Akhlaq

Akhlaq: The Character of a Believer referring to the practice of virtue, morality & manners

Disposition: part of the soul (Nafs) that comes “natural” - causes spontaneous activities, without thinking about them

Habit (Ada): part of the soul that is

learned or developed through repetitive practice & training.

- not easily destroyed

Ten Signs of Those Who Believe & Let Faith Flow in their Veins

1. constantly nurturing and training himself & transcending; meticulously asses himself w/o judging others

2. aware that the diamond of his existence is cut in social activity, living among others; although he's amongst people, but spiritually, he's in a higher plane

3. mindful that man is a blend of God's spirit and foul clay; his instincts are powerful instruments for his growth & see society as means for the emergence of his creativity; accepts blessing w/o indulging

4. sees the good in all people & that we're all God's creatures; no one is superior to others & never arrogant or proud, associating with all

5. fascinated by & in constant pursuit of useful knowledge; distinguishes the seeds from the straws6. separates himself from vices such as greed & jealousy; content with God's bounty & is not greedy7. has an optimistic and realistic view of the world; sees it as the arena for self-building & knows that

Quran's reproach of the world refers to the negligence of the final goal and destination, not the world itself

8. measures his actions realizing the world is not the place for reward & punishment; rather it's a "test bed,” the other world is the reward

9. welcomes tribulations & adversities as constructive & benefits from them; sees God as just & wise10. as a strict accountant, always taking self-assessment, not only meticulously controls his behavior,

but also his thoughts & imagination

Pleasures and Pains of the Soul

• The soul experiences pleasure when perceiving something harmonious with its nature. Pain occurs when it contacts things in disharmony. The soul's pleasures and pains are also divided into four categories, each corresponding to one of the four faculties.

• Pleasure of the reasoning faculty lies in gaining knowledge and its pain lies in ignorance.

• Pleasure of the faculty of anger lies in feelings of overcoming an enemy and revenge. Its pain lies in the feeling of being overpowered and defeated.

• Delight of the faculty of desire is enjoyment of foods, drinks, and sex while its pain lies in denial of such experiences.

• Pleasure of the imaginative faculty lies in the visualization of particulars which lead to the appearance of carnal desires, while its pain lies in the insufficiency and inadequacy of these visions.

• The strongest of pleasures is experienced by reason. This pleasure is inherent and constant. It is unlike the other pleasures, which are transitory and often embarrassing. Rational pleasures have many degrees, the highest of which is nearness to God. This sublime pleasure is attained through love and knowledge of God, acquired through effort to be closer to Him. When efforts are directed to this goal, sensual pleasures are overshadowed; taking their proper place in moderation.

Follow footsteps of Prophet & his family

Practice makes perfect. Keep doing it!

Avoid those with bad manners

Developing Good

Manners

Repent & seek forgiveness

Example from Imam Baqir, (a.s.)

Spiritual Pitfalls…1. Falsehood 2. Anger3. Conceit 4. Greed5. Miserliness 6. Prejudice/bigotry7. Cruelty 8. Pride/Vanity9. Hypocrisy 10. Backbiting*

(they stain our soul as they violate OUR human family)

Importance of Effective Communication

1. Reflect What You Hear (Use “I” messages): “I’d like for you to stop that,” “I am sad when I hear you say,” “I don’t understand why someone who loves Allah and His prophet would feel comfortable with…..”

2. Treat family members Better than a Stranger3. Validate Person’s Feelings4. Change Your Pattern of Communication5. Listen More Than You Talk6. Ask open-ended Questions that Help Your To Reach the Answer7. Problem-Solve Together8. Build Credibility

Let’s Practice

Group Work: Review and find solution to sample scenarios

RIGHT?

Let’s Test Ourselves. . .

Who’s A Muslim?

Satanist - Punk Heavy Metal Musician

Famous Muslim Reverts

Myriam Francois-Cerrah, Ex-actress (Sense & Sensibility)

We’re More Tolerant of. . .

Less Tolerant of. . .

Can you easily LOVE this man as your brother in humanity & faith?

What to do with the Muslim Prison Population?

“

They Say: “ Islam allows you to look beyond the wall.”“Life outside of Islam is like an island in a Sea of Ignorance.”

• more 20,000 Muslim prison inmates and growing at more than 90 prisons and centers

What do You Say: -Do you want them in your centers & homes? -Would you marry your child to one of them?

These are real questions that we must ask ourselves & REFLECT!

Kendyl AuroraGroup Activity

Answer the following questions after watching the video:

• What do you hear?• What would you do?• What advice would you give Kendyl?

Shaping A Better Soul

In A Nutshell. . .Excerpts from Imam Ali’s Will to his son:

• “My son, between yourself and others make your person the standard!• What you like for yourself, wish the same for others.• What you don’t like for yourself, do the same unto others. • Don’t be cruel to others because you don’t want others to be cruel to you. • Deal kindly with others that you want them to be kind to you. • The habits of others that you don’t like, you shouldn’t acquire them. • Be happy with others the same way you want them to be happy with you. • You shouldn’t talk on the matters you don’t know about and even if you have

little knowledge about them.• Don’t utter anything about a person if you don’t wish to hear any such thing

about yourself.”

Imam Ali—Nahj al Balagha

References:• Al-Islam.org• Playandlearn.org• Akhlaq-E-Ahle Bayth (a.s.), (Principles and

Practice of Ethics as Taught by AhleBayt (a.s.)• The Scale of Wisdom, (Acompendium of Shia

Hadith)

•Alhamdullilah!!

•Salawat!!