Hadhihi Akhlaquna Hina Nakunu Muminin Haqqan
- Author died
- 1422 AH
- Editions
- Dār Ṭaybah lil-Nashr wal-Tawzīʿ
Hadhihi Akhlaquna Hina Nakunu Muminin Haqqan (These Are Our Morals When We Are True Believers) is a contemporary treatise on Islamic ethics and moral education written by the Palestinian scholar Mahmud Muhammad al-Khazindar (d. 1422 AH / 2001 CE) and published by Dar Taybah .
Composition and Background
The material in the work originated as a series of monthly articles written under the column Min Akhlaq al-Mujahid ("From the Morals of the Striver") . Following reader requests and consultative feedback, al-Khazindar compiled and expanded these essays into a structured book, completing the project in Rabi' al-Awwal 1415 AH (August 1994) after approximately ten years of engagement in contemporary Islamic educational and activist work .
Purpose and Methodology
Al-Khazindar intended the book as a practical pedagogical framework (manhaj tarbiyah akhlaqiyyah) rather than a purely theoretical or academic study . He argued that moral education is primarily acquired through lived experience, role models, and daily situations, stressing that sound ethics can unite Muslims across intellectual disagreements, whereas moral deterioration fuels factionalism and strife .
In formulating the treatise, the author adopted several methodological approaches:
- Broadening the concept of ethics: Rather than confining morality to standard philosophical categories, he expanded it to encompass all praiseworthy attributes and behaviors that distinguish a committed Muslim .
- Grounding in contemporary reality: Topics were chosen to address practical challenges and societal deficiencies observed in modern Islamic life rather than drawn mechanically from traditional tables of contents .
- Sourcing textual proofs: Textual evidence was gathered from the Quran and hadith collections, frequently extracting relevant moral principles from chapters and contexts outside the standard compilations on manners .
- Clarity and simplicity: The prose was deliberately kept direct and accessible, avoiding obscure terminology so that it could serve preachers, educators, and general readers alike .
Structure and Contents
Following an introductory section detailing the characteristics and necessity of Islamic moral cultivation, the book is organized into nine major thematic parts (abwab), each divided into dedicated chapters (fusul) that conclude with summary outlines of their core principles :
- Morals in Jihad (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Jihad): Covers trust in God's victory, readiness for martyrdom, rendering aid (al-nusrah), overcoming adversity (al-intisar), courage, and patience with steadfastness .
- Morals in Da'wah (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Da'wah): Treats endearing oneself to people, repelling harm with what is better, conveying glad tidings, wisdom, high resolve (al-himmah), facilitating ease (al-taysir), and actively providing benefit .
- Morals in Brotherhood (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Ukhuwwah): Addresses mutual love and fraternity, solidarity (al-takaful), frankness (al-sarahah), interpersonal harmony (al-ulfah), honorable competition, and cooperation .
- Morals in Leadership (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Imrah): Examines exemplary role modeling, justice, verification of reports (al-tathabbut), the etiquette of obedience, and selecting a righteous inner circle (istifa' al-bitanah) .
- Morals in Godliness (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Rabbaniyyah): Focuses on spiritual devotion (al-rabbaniyyah), concern for the Hereafter, scrupulous piety (al-wara'), seeking wholesome and lawful sustenance, prompt return to righteousness (sur'at al-fay'ah), and steadfastness .
- Morals of the Inner Conscience (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Wijdan): Discusses modesty (al-haya'), good-natured purity (al-tibah), humility, emotional sensitivity and responsiveness (al-ihsas wa-l-ta'aththur), and contentment accompanied by chastity .
- Morals of Behavioral Discipline (Min Akhlaqina fi Dabt al-Suluk): Treats the avoidance of discord and trials (tajannub al-fitan), accepting and finding excuses for others, moderation, self-review and corrective action, eagerness for spiritual benefit, and perseverance in performing good deeds .
- Morals of Disciplining the Tongue (Min Akhlaqina Dabt al-Lisan): Concentrates on guarding speech, truthfulness, offering apologies, and concealing the faults of others .
- Morals in Social Dealings (Min Akhlaqina fi al-Ta'amul al-Ijtima'i): Concludes with gentleness and leniency, tolerance (al-samahah), mutual respect, beneficence (al-ihsan), rewarding benefactors, generosity, trustworthiness (al-amanah), and general dutifulness (al-birr) .
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