What is your opinion about how one is supposed to behave with other people?

[zainn 20]

As-salamunalaikum, 

I was wondering what people think about the moral traits, behaviour, akhlaq, of a person (male and female) towards other people in general life, IN THIS GENERATION. 

How do you think one should be with other people (Muslim and non-Muslim)?

What moral traits and characteristics do you think are a MUST in this generation towards other people, and why? 

What kind of a person are you when you are alone, and what kind of a person are you when you are around other people? If there is a difference, then why is that so? 

How do you react when people judge you based on your traits? 

What traits and lessons have you adopted from the teachings of Islam and the Ahlulbayt? 

What do you do when you see someone constantly scared from judgement from others? How would you help them? 

How would you help a depressed person? - OR - How do you deal with your own depression? 

How do you deal with anxiety and nervousness? Especially, when around other people? 

What keeps you grounded to your roots? 

What is your idea of tawakkul? 

What is your idea of a happy and satisfying life? What are things that give you happiness? What satisfies you?  

What advice would you give to your fellow people about these traits and life in general? 

I'm really hoping to get some answers for these questions, since I think they'll be beneficial for others as much as for me. So kindly try your best to answer at least a few or all of them, if possible. 

Jazakallah Khair

Wa-assalamualaikum Wa Rahmatullah

[habib e najjaar 2,752]

Wa alaykum salam,

Timeless replies from the ahlalbayt (عليه السلام):

Somebody requested Imam Ali to advise him how to lead a useful and sober life. Imam Ali thereupon advised him thus: 

 

"Do not be among those people who want to gain good returns without working hard for them, who have long hopes and keep on postponing repentance and penance, who talk like pious persons but run after vicious pleasures. Do not be among those who are not satisfied if they get more in life and are not content if their lot in life's pleasures is less (they are never satisfied), who never thank Allah for what they get and keep on constantly demanding increase in what is left with them; who advise others to such good deeds that they themselves refrain from; who appreciate good people but do not follow their ways of life; who hate bad and vicious people but follow their ways of life; who, on account of their excessive sins hate death but do not give up the sinful ways of life; who, if fallen ill, repent their ways of life and on regaining their health fearlessly readopt the same frivolous ways; who get despondent and lose all hopes, but on gaining health, become arrogant and careless; who, if faced with misfortunes, dangers or afflictions, turn to Allah and keep on beseeching Him for relief and when relieved or favoured with comfort and ease they are deceived by the comfortable conditions they found themselves in and forget Allah and forsake prayers; whose minds are allured by day dreams and forlorn hopes and who abhor to face realities of life; who fear for others the enormous repercussions of vices and sins but for their own deeds expect very high rewards or very light disciplinary actions. Riches make such people arrogant, rebellious and wicked, and poverty makes them despondent and lethargic. If they have to work, they work lazily and if they put up a demand they do it stubbornly.

 

Under the influence of inordinate cravings, they commit sins in quick succession and keep on postponing repentance. Calamities and adversities make them give up the distinguished characteristics of Muslims (patience, hope in future and work for improvement of circumstances). They advise people with narration's of events and facts but do not take any lesson from them. They are good at preachings but bad at practice, therefore they always talk of lofty deeds but their actions belie their words. They are keen to acquire temporal pleasures but are careless and slow to achieve permanent (Divine) benefits. They think good for themselves the things which are actually injurious to them and regard harmful the things which really benefit them. 

 

They are afraid of death but waste their time and do not resort to good deeds before death overtakes them. The vices which they regard as enormous sins for others, they consider as minor shortcomings for themselves. Similarly, they attach great importance to their obedience to the orders of Allah and belittle similar actions in others. Therefore, they often criticize others and speak very highly of their own deeds. They are happy to spend their time in society of rich persons, wasting it in luxuries and vices but are averse to employing for useful purposes in company of the poor and pious people: They are quick and free to pass verdicts against others but they never pass a verdict against their own vicious deeds. They force others to obey them but they never obey Allah. They collect their dues carefully but never pay the dues they owe. They are not afraid of Allah but fear powerful men".