Top 10 Characteristics of a Muslim Professional Posted on January 31, 2014 by Mustafa Kazmi At Muslim Ad Network, we pride ourselves to follow the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teachings. This blog post will go through the top Ten Characteristics we feel are necessary of a Muslim Professional. Below are some saying from the Prophet (PBUH) and Ayah from the Quran that is a reminder for all of us as Muslims: “They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and vie with one another in doing good works and these are among the righteous.”– Quran 3:114 Allah says in the Quran: “And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion” – (Surah Al-Talaq) Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs. (Ahmad, An-Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim and At-Tirmidhi) 1) Accountability - The first characteristic of a Muslim Professional is being Accountable. • Always keep your word. The Prophet (PBUH) says, Each time you keep a commitment you are rewarded by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) for obeying Him. If you mix a few drops of wine in a glass full of water, it spoils the whole glass of water and makes it unfit for consumption. Similarly, dishonesty in any sphere of your life permeates and corrupts your entire nature and eeman. When a person’s words carry no weight, it only reveals his/her treacherous nature. [Baihaqi] • We have often seen that one of the biggest things Muslims are known for is fulfilling what you have committed to doing. We must make our Niat (intention) to complete the task at hand and to be able to deliver on time. This is what it means to be Accountable. 2) Courtesy - We treat our fellow co-workers, managers, customers, subordinates, and partners with courtesy and follow the steps of our Prophet (PBUH). • Abu Darda (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [Tirmidhi] • We as Muslims, need to set an example of what it means to be a Muslim. For example, if we always cursed and portrayed negative habits at the workplace, our fellow Non-Muslims that you work with will have a negative perception of Islam. Therefore, if a positive courteous image is portrayed, then they will be drawn towards Islam and will have a positive image of Muslims. We need to be ambassadors of Islam and should know that as a Muslim Professional we always must have the highest of courtesy. 3) Respect – We as Muslims must give respect to our fellow brothers / sisters at all times. • He Is Not Quality Muslim Who Does Not Show Kindness To The Young Ones And Respect To The Older Ones. [Tirmidhi] • This is a basic principle of a Muslim to be able to control your ego, your anger at times when things are not going the way they are supposed to. As a Muslim, we must give respect at all times regardless of the situation and whether things are going the way you want them to go. • We have seen in our countries back home and even Muslims abroad in America, that our ego overtakes what Islam teaches us and that is to be respectful towards everyone, not just Muslims. As a Muslim Professional, this is one of the most basic characteristics that we must all strive to have. 4) Honesty – When making decisions / taking actions, we must remember that our religion teaches being truthful. We make sure that in every dealing that we have with our peers, superiors, or customers, we are always being honest even if it may not make us look good, Honesty in Eyes of Allah is obligatory, and the right way. • Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness leads to Paradise. A man may speak the truth until he is recorded with Allah as truthful. Verily, falsehood leads to wickedness and wickedness leads to the Hellfire. A man may tell lies until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.” [Sahih Muslim] • Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The buyer and the seller have the option of canceling or confirming the bargain unless they separate, and if they spoke the truth and made clear the defects of the goods, then they would be blessed in their bargain, and if they told lies and hid some facts, their bargain would be deprived of Allah’s blessings”.( Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 34, Number 293) • The Hadith tveaches us that if we want barakah in our jobs, careers, businesses, organizations, we must be honest and not try to take advtantage of another individual or party be knowingly decieving them and lying to them. As a Muslim Professional, it is expected for you to follow the teachings of Allah and our Prophet (PBUH) to be truthful when speaking or conducting business. Any transaction that is made on lies, there will be bigotry, no barakah, no blessings from Allah in that transaction. It will end up hurting you more then you think you will gain from it. 5) Punctuality – We are always on time, Punctuality is about keeping an amaanah (Trust أمانة). The hadith below teaches us that we as Muslim Professionals should follow the prophet’s sayings of prayers being on time. Therefore, if there are meetings, events, calls, then we must adhere to the time and be there on time as the Prophet has taught us. • Narrated Jarir bin ‘Abdullah: I gave the pledge of allegiance to Allah’s Apostle for to offer prayers perfectly, to pay Zakat regularly, and to give good advice to every Muslim. • As a Muslim Professional, the precedence that should be set is for us to always be on time and not be late. Our Niat (intention) must be to conduct business in a timely manner and not being punctual. This is a sunnah that the prophet teaches us even in our daily 5 prayers. The reward of praying salah on time is much greater then praying salah after the time it was prescribed. We can use the same example when coming to meetings, joining calls, or being somewhere to conduct business. 6) Tranquility – As a Muslim, we must show calmness at all times and be in a state of peace. We can get tied up in long meetings, disagreements, heated discussions, arguments. As a Muslim Professional, you must be able to show patience and calm, being in a untroubled state. This will cause a more positive working environment and provide everyone comfort when speaking to each other and speaking their mind. Having a state of Tranquility (calmness) will bring ease and stress-free working environment. • Allah says: “Those who believe and whose hearts find tranquility in the remembrance of Allah, verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find tranquility.” [Surah Ar-Radd: 28] • Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Richness is not having many possessions. Rather, true richness is the richness of the soul.” • Al-Bara reported: A man was reciting the chapter of the cave (surah al-kahf) and there was a horse tied with two ropes at his side, a cloud overshadowed him, and it came nearer and nearer as his horse became frightened of it. He went to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in the morning and mentioned that to him. The Prophet said, “Continue reciting. Verily, that was tranquility which came down for the recitation of the Quran.” 7) Focus – We remain focused on the task at hand and the goal ahead. We navigate through obstacles or setbacks but never lose sight of where we are headed and are focused to get the job done regardless of the challenges faced. • Our prophet would go through battles during Ramadan and through hard times, but he remained focused to the duty of his people. This is a reminder from Allah that we must focus on our priorities and stick to them and don’t lose sight! 8) Self-Critical – As a Muslim, We must look our selves in the mirror first before pointing out faults of others. • The Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘Blessed is he who preoccupies himself with his own defects, rather than those of others.’ (Musnad Al-Bazzâr) • We must be able to look ourselves in the mirror first before we point out faults of others. We must be non-judgmental and not make presumptions as Muslims. • As a Muslim Professional, this is very important, when there is a conflict or a critical situation, then one must look at himself first before standing ground and being firm in their own opinion. This will help resolve issues and conflicts and will avoid conflicts to drag on and grow bigger and bigger. 9) Ethics – We strive to choose the option that is based on sound Islamic tenets, even when other alternatives appear more profitable/easier in the short run. We must always choose the right thing to do, and not undermine Allah’s injunctions or any individual(s). • “The noblest of you in the sight of Allāh is the best of you in conduct” (49:13). 10) Faith – We have faith in Allah in whatever we do as a professionals. We must remember that Allah is the king of kings and the best planner. We always begin with saying ‘Bismillah’ and always end with saying ‘Alhamdulillah’. It’s a blessing what he has given to us to allow us to succeed in our professional careers. • “They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and vie with one another in doing good works and these are among the righteous.” – Quran 3:114 • Allah says in the Quran: “And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose. Verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion” (Surah Al-Talaq) • Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs. (Ahmad, An-Nasa’I, Ibn Majah, Al-Hakim and At-Tirmidhi)
Posted on: Wed, 05 Nov 2014 03:32:33 +0000
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