Character & Ethics

taqwā

God-consciousness — being aware of Allah in everything you do, fearing His displeasure and hoping for His mercy.

ṣabr

Patience and perseverance — staying steadfast through hardship while trusting Allah.

shukr

Gratitude — thanking Allah for blessings, both by words and by using blessings righteously.

iḥsān

Excellence in worship — doing good deeds as if you see Allah, knowing He sees you.

akhlāq

Good character and manners — how Muslims treat others with kindness, honesty, and respect.

niyyah

Intention — the sincere purpose behind an action, which determines its spiritual value.

tawakkul

Trust in Allah — relying on God after doing your best, knowing He controls the outcome.

ḥayāʾ

Modesty and shyness — a natural sense of dignity that keeps Muslims from shameful behavior.

tawbah

Repentance — sincerely returning to Allah after sinning, with regret and intention not to repeat.

raḥmah

Mercy and compassion — showing kindness to others, reflecting Allah's mercy toward creation.

ʿadl

Justice and fairness — treating people equitably and standing up for what is right.

ghībah

Backbiting — speaking badly about someone behind their back; strongly condemned in Islam.

ḥasad

Envy — wishing for someone else's blessings to be taken away; a disease of the heart.

riyāʾ

Showing off in worship — doing good deeds to impress people rather than for Allah alone.

istighfār

Seeking forgiveness — asking Allah to pardon your sins, often said as 'Astaghfirullah'.

kibr

Arrogance and pride — rejecting truth or looking down on others; warned against strongly in khutbas.

amānah

Trustworthiness — fulfilling responsibilities and keeping promises honestly.

ẓulm

Oppression and injustice — wronging others by taking their rights or treating them unfairly.

astaghfiru llāh

I seek forgiveness from Allah — said when regretting a mistake or hearing something shocking.

innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn

Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we return — said upon hearing news of death or great loss.

lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh

There is no power except with Allah — said when facing difficulty, seeking strength from God alone.

ḥasbunā llāh

Allah is sufficient for us — a declaration of trust in Allah during hardship or fear.

ṣidq

Truthfulness — being honest in speech and sincere in actions, a core Islamic virtue.

birr

Righteousness and kindness — especially treating parents, family, and neighbors with excellence.

isrāf

Wastefulness and extravagance — spending beyond need or wasting resources Allah has given.

ʿāfiyah

Well-being and safety — asking Allah for health, protection, and peace in this life and the next.

namīmah

Tale-bearing — carrying gossip between people to cause discord; condemned like ghibah.