WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU?

 FAJR REMINDER: WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU?

By: Umm Affān

Ṣafar 11, 1448 (26-July-2026)

What kind of person are you? How do you measure your righteousness? Which noble qualities define your character? These are questions every Muslim should ask themselves from time to time. One of the greatest signs of true faith is excellent character. Ā‘ishah (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) stated, “Verily, the most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhī 2612]

Let me share a remarkable story from the Khilāfah of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu). It is a famous historical account, reported by several historians, that the mother of Laylā Bint ‘Āṣim—the grandmother of ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz—was a pious milkmaid who refused to adulterate milk out of fear of Allāh. The story appears in several historical and biographical works, including Ṣifat aṣ-Ṣafwah of Ibn al-Jawzī (Raḥimahullāh), Al-Bidāyah wa an-Nihāyah of Ibn Kathīr (Raḥimahullāh), and Tārīkh Dimashq of Ibn ‘Asākir (Raḥimahullāh).

One of the admirable qualities of ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) was his concern for the welfare of the Muslims. It was his habit to walk through the streets of Madīnah at night, observing the condition of the community with his own eyes. How many leaders today make such sacrifices? How many choose to remain close to the people instead of distancing themselves from them? We seek Allāh’s Aid in this regard.

On one such night, ‘Umar went out in disguise so that the people would not recognize him. He was accompanied by his noble companion, Ibn ‘Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma). This teaches us an important lesson: always keep the company of righteous people. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allāh, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Sūrah At-Tawbah (9): 119]

Imagine how much good could be achieved if leaders surrounded themselves with people of integrity—individuals who sincerely advise them, remind them of Allāh, and help them serve the people with justice, rather than those who flatter them for personal gain. As ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Abbās (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhuma) continued through the city, they reached a neighborhood inhabited by poor families. While passing a modest home, ‘Umar overheard a mother instructing her daughter to mix water with the milk they intended to sell so that they could increase its quantity.

Subḥānallāh! Quantity without quality. Adulterating goods, reducing value, tampering with products, and deceiving customers are not new problems. They have existed throughout history. The question is: when will people abandon these dishonest practices? More importantly, should a Muslim ever engage in such deception?

Pause for a moment and ask yourself: What kind of person am I? You know the sins you have committed, the wrongs you are still involved in, and perhaps even those you are tempted to commit. The door of repentance remains open. Turn back to Allāh sincerely, abandon every form of dishonesty, and replace evil deeds with righteous ones.

The Khalīfah, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu), heard a whispering talk within the house—a mother telling her daughter to add water to the milk they intended to sell. The daughter gently reminded her mother that although they had practiced such deception before embracing Islām, they could no longer continue after becoming Muslims. What a powerful lesson this is! True Islām transforms a person's character. It removes bad habits, purifies the heart, and replaces dishonesty with integrity. Allāh loves those who sincerely repent and conceals the sins of those who turn back to Him.

However, sincere repentance requires that a person abandon the sin and deliberately not return to it. Ask yourself once again: What kind of Muslim am I? Do you sincerely repent only to return to the very sins you claimed to have abandoned? A believer should constantly strive to improve, not repeatedly fall into the same acts of disobedience without remorse.

The girl's mother continued to insist that she mix water with the milk, but the daughter firmly refused, saying, “No. The Khalīfah said that we should not practice deceitful acts.” Here lies another valuable lesson. Leaders have a responsibility to promote what is right and prevent what is wrong. When leaders are righteous, they become a means through which tremendous good spreads throughout society. Likewise, the people are commanded to obey their leaders in lawful matters. Allāh (ﷻ) says: “O you who believe! Obey Allāh and obey the Messenger (Muḥammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority.” [Sūrah An-Nisā' (4): 59]

However, obedience has its limits. It is only required in that which is pleasing to Allāh. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There is no obedience (i.e., allowed to anyone) if it involves sin (i.e., disobedience to Allāh); rather, obedience is about that which is good and proper.” [Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 7257]

Sadly, many people today choose the path of disobedience. They disobey Allāh, His Messenger (ﷺ), and those in authority, even in matters that are lawful and beneficial. Such behaviour only leads to corruption and hardship for individuals and society alike. Let us all strive to be Muslims whose faith is reflected in our honesty, integrity, and obedience to Allāh. A person's true worth is not measured by wealth, status, or reputation, but by the sincerity of their faith and the excellence of their character.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to rectify our affairs, beautify our character, make us true Muslims, and grant us the sincerity to practice what we know. Aameen.