A Long List of Noble Characteristics for Self-Assessment — From Alif to Yā. A comprehensive guide drawn from the classical scholarship of Zayn al-Dīn Al-Munāwī (d. 1031 AH رحمه الله), inviting every wise believer to examine their own moral standing against nearly 140 virtues.
The scholar Zayn al-Dīn Al-Munāwī (d. 1031 AH رحمه الله) mentions a tremendous benefit in his monumental work Fayd al-Qadīr [an explanation of the ḥadīth book al-Jāmi' al-Ṣaghīr]— a catalogue of noble character that every believer should aim to embody. He writes:
حاولَ بعضُهم جمعَ الأخلاقِ الحسنةِ "Some have attempted to compile a list of good morals, and they said…"
This list contains around 140 virtues whose presence, absence, strength, or weakness must be assessed by every wise believer — pertaining to themselves and the world around them. It is not merely an academic exercise; it is a living mirror held up to the soul.
How to Use This List
Read each virtue slowly and with intention
Honestly assess its presence or absence in yourself
Note where it is strong and where it is weak
Return to this list regularly as a tool of self-improvement
Use it to recognize goodness in others, not merely to judge
Virtues 1–10
The Foundations of Sincere Action
The opening virtues establish the bedrock of a believer's relationship with Allah and with righteous practice. They speak to purity of motive, consistency of conduct, and the correct orientation of all deeds.
1
(الإحسانُ) Ihsān
Doing good — performing every act as though you see Allah, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you.
2
(والإخلاصُ) Ikhlāṣ
Sincerity — purifying one's intention so that every deed is done solely for the pleasure of Allah.
3
(والإيثارُ) Īthār
Altruism — preferring others over oneself, especially in times of personal need.
4
(واتباعُ السنةِ) Following the Sunnah
Adhering to the way of the Prophet ﷺ in all matters of worship, conduct, and daily life.
5
(والاستقامةُ) Istiqāmah
Steadfastness — remaining upright and consistent on the straight path without deviation.
6
(والاقتصادُ) Moderation
Balance in worship and in living — neither excessive nor neglectful in one's religious and worldly pursuits.
7
(والاشتغالُ بعيبِ النفسِ) Self-Examination
Occupying oneself with one's own faults instead of scrutinizing the faults of others.
8
(والإنصافُ) Fairness
Objectivity and equity — giving every matter and every person their due, even when it is difficult.
9
(وفعلُ الرخصِ أحيانًا) Using Concessions
Occasionally making use of the lawful concessions (rukhṣah) that Allah has mercifully permitted.
10
(والاعتقادُ مع التسليمِ) Belief with Submission
Holding correct belief with full submission — trusting what Allah has decreed even beyond one's comprehension.
Virtues 11–20
Generosity, Caution, and Social Repair
These virtues govern how a believer relates to wealth, community safety, and the mending of broken ties. True character is revealed in how one spends, warns, reconciles, and seeks divine guidance.
(والافتقارُ الاختياريُّ) Voluntary Humility
Choosing a state of spiritual neediness before Allah — recognizing one's dependence on Him at all times.
(والإنفاقُ بغيرِ تقتيرٍ) Generous Spending
Spending one's wealth without miserliness — giving freely in the way of Allah and for the good of others.
(وإنفاقُ المالِ لصيانةِ العرضِ) Protecting Honor
Spending money to protect one's honor and reputation where necessary.
(والأمرُ بالمعروفِ) Enjoining Good
Actively calling others to what is right and virtuous — a pillar of the Muslim community's moral health.
(وتجنُّبُ الشبهةِ) Avoiding Doubtful Matters
Steering clear of ambiguous or questionable situations to preserve one's integrity and peace of heart.
(واتقاءُ ما لا بأسَ به) Precautionary Avoidance
Cautiously avoiding even the permissible out of fear that it may lead to what is harmful.
(وإصلاحُ ذاتِ البينِ) Reconciliation
Actively working to repair relationships and resolve disputes between people.
(وإماطةُ الأذى عن الطريقِ) Removing Harm
Clearing harm from the path — even this small act is a branch of faith (شعبة من الإيمان).
(والاستشارةُ) Consultation
Seeking the counsel of those with wisdom and relevant experience before making important decisions.
(والاستخارةُ) Istikhārah
Turning to Allah for guidance through the prayer of seeking direction in all matters of consequence.
Virtues 21–32
Respect, Relationships, and the Rights of Others
A believer's character shines most clearly in how they treat those around them — the esteemed and the ordinary, the neighbor and the stranger, the one who asks and the one who has not yet asked.
(والأدبُ والاحترامُ) Manners and Respect
Embodying proper conduct and genuine reverence toward Allah, His religion, and His creation.
(والإجلالُ) Reverence for the Virtuous
Honoring the virtuous among people, recognizing the sanctity of blessed times and sacred places.
(وإدخالُ السرورِ) Bringing Joy
Making a fellow believer happy — this act of bringing joy carries immense reward and strengthens community bonds.
(والاسترشادُ والإرشادُ) Guidance and Teaching
Both seeking guidance and providing it through cultivation, education, and sincere mentorship.
(وإفشاءُ السلامِ) Spreading Peace
Initiating and spreading the greeting of peace — a right of every Muslim upon another and a means of increasing love.
(وإكرامُ الجارِ) Honoring Neighbors
Treating neighbors with generosity, care, and dignity — the Prophet ﷺ emphasized this right repeatedly.
(وإجابةُ السائلِ) Responding to Requests
Answering the one who asks — not dismissing or delaying the legitimate needs and questions of others.
(والإعطاءُ قبلَ السؤالِ) Giving Before Being Asked
Anticipating the needs of others and giving before they must ask — a mark of exceptional generosity and awareness.
(واستكثارُ قليلِ الخيرِ من الغيرِ) Valuing Others' Goodness
Highly valuing even the smallest act of goodness done by another, while minimizing one's own great deeds.
(وبذلُ الجاهِ والجهدِ) Using One's Status to Help
Exerting effort and leveraging one's social standing or influence in service of others.
(والبشرُ والبشاشةُ) Cheerfulness
Meeting others with a bright face and a warm, open disposition — even a smile is an act of charity.
Virtues 33–51
Humility, Patience, and the Inner Life
This cluster of virtues addresses the interior dimensions of character — how one holds oneself, manages the ego, navigates hardship, and relates to divine decree. These are among the most demanding virtues to cultivate.
(والتواضعُ) Humility
Lowering oneself before Allah and before people — not thinking oneself above others by virtue of knowledge, wealth, or status.
(والتوبةُ) Repentance
Turning back to Allah sincerely after every sin — with remorse, cessation, and firm resolve not to return.
(والتعاونُ) Cooperation in Righteousness
Partnering with others in acts of birr and taqwā — building a community of mutual support and uplift.
(والتؤدةُ والتأني) Timeliness and Deliberation
Acting with measured thoughtfulness — neither reckless haste nor paralyzing procrastination.
(وتدبيرُ المنزلِ) Managing Household Affairs
Taking responsibility for one's home and livelihood with wisdom, order, and care.
(والتفكرُ) Reflection
Pondering the signs of Allah in creation, in history, and within the self — a great act of worship in itself.
(والتكبرُ على المتكبرِ) Dignity Against the Arrogant
Refusing to be humiliated by arrogant people — standing with dignity is itself a virtue when facing tyranny.
(وتنزيلُ الناسِ منازلَهم) Proper Rank of People
Placing people in their proper stations — giving elders, scholars, and the righteous their due respect.
(وتقديمُ الأهمِّ) Prioritizing What Matters
Giving precedence to the most important matters — not squandering time and energy on trivialities.
(والتصبرُ) Enduring Patiently
Training oneself to be patient — actively cultivating sabr even when it does not come naturally.
(والتغافلُ) Overlooking Others' Faults
Deliberately turning a blind eye to the minor slips of others — a sign of magnanimity and good character.
(وتحملُ الأذى) Bearing Harm
Absorbing the harm directed at you with composure — one of the highest stations of noble character.
(والتهنئةُ) Congratulating Others
Sharing in the joy of others through warm and sincere congratulations on their blessings and achievements.
(والتسليمُ لمجاري القدرِ) Submitting to Divine Decree
Accepting the decrees of Allah with contentment, not with bitterness or rebellion of the heart.
(وتركُ الأذى) Refraining from Harm
Actively choosing not to cause harm to others — in word, deed, or even in one's silent intentions.
Virtues 48–58
What to Avoid: Guarding Against Inner and Social Corruption
Among the greatest virtues is knowing what to leave. The scholar includes a category of avoidances — things that corrupt the soul, poison relationships, and erode the moral fabric of the community.
(والبطانة) Avoiding Sycophants
Keep away from those who only tell you what you want to hear — poor advisors lead a person to ruin.
(ومعاداةُ الرجالِ) Avoiding Mutual Hatred
Steer clear of cultivating unnecessary enmity — harboring grudges destroys communities and hardens the heart.
(والتكلفِ والمراءِ) Avoiding Pretension and Arguing
Shun performance of virtue and ego-driven debate — both are diseases of the heart in disguise.
(والكلامِ المنهيّ عنه) Avoiding Forbidden Speech
Guard the tongue from backbiting, slander, lying, and every form of speech that displeases Allah.
Islam is a way of life that is inherently communal. These virtues shape how a believer engages with their family, their community, their name, and their pursuit of sacred knowledge.
(والتحدثُ بالنعمةِ) Speaking of Blessings
Acknowledging and speaking of Allah's blessings upon you — a form of gratitude that multiplies goodness.
(والتكثيرُ من الإخوانِ) Building Brotherhood
Increasing in genuine friends and supporters — the believer is not meant to walk the path alone.
(وتجملُ الملبسِ) Dressing Well
Taking care of one's appearance and dressing with dignity and cleanliness — a reflection of inner self-respect.
(والتسميةُ باسمٍ حسنٍ) A Good Name
Bearing a beautiful name and changing a dishonorable nickname — names carry meaning and spiritual weight.
(والتوسعةُ على العيالِ) Providing for Family
Providing generously and well for one's household — this spending is among the most rewarded in Islam.
(وتجنبُ مواقعِ التهمِ) Avoiding Suspicious Places
Keeping away from places and situations that may invite suspicion or accusation, even if one is innocent.
(والتعرفُ باللهِ) Knowing Allah
Deepening one's knowledge of Allah — His Names, Attributes, and actions — the foundation of all worship.
(والتطببُ بالطبِّ النبويِّ) Prophetic Medicine
Seeking healing through the practices of prophetic medicine — honoring the Sunnah even in matters of health.
(والثباتُ في الأمورِ) Steadfastness in Affairs
Remaining firm and consistent in one's commitments and responsibilities — not wavering under pressure.
(والثقةُ باللهِ) Trusting Allah
Having complete reliance upon Allah — tawakkul — after taking the proper means and precautions.
(وجهادُ النفسِ) Struggling Against the Self
The greatest jihad — waging war against one's own ego, desires, and lower impulses in pursuit of righteousness.
(وجلبُ المصالحِ) Facilitating the Greater Good
Working proactively to bring about benefit for individuals and society — not merely avoiding harm.
(والتفهيمُ) Imparting Understanding
Teaching and explaining in ways that produce genuine comprehension — not just conveying information.
These virtues address the deepest emotional and spiritual registers of character — what one loves, what one fears, how one speaks, and how one comports oneself in the presence of others and before Allah.
(الحبُّ في اللهِ والبغضُ في اللهِ) Loving and Hating for Allah
Orienting all affection and aversion toward Allah's pleasure — the most secure bond of brotherhood.
(والحلمُ) Forbearance
Exercising restraint and measured calm when provoked — the mark of a truly mature and refined soul.
(والحياءُ) Modesty
Hayā — a natural and cultivated shyness before Allah and people that guards one from shameful conduct.
(وحفظُ الأمانةِ والعهدِ) Keeping Trusts and Covenants
Honoring what has been entrusted to you and fulfilling every covenant and promise faithfully.
(وحسنُ الصمتِ) Appropriate Silence
Knowing when to speak and when to hold one's tongue — silence at the right moment is itself eloquence.
(والتعقلُ في المقالِ) Intelligence in Speech
Speaking with deliberate wisdom — choosing words carefully so that speech builds rather than destroys.
(والسمتُ) Good Comportment
Carrying oneself with dignity and a visible spiritual presence — calm, composed, and clearly God-conscious.
(والحزمُ) Decisiveness
Being resolute in important decisions — combining sound judgment with the courage to act on it.
(والحميةُ) Ascetic Restraint from the World
Abstaining from excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures — keeping the heart free from attachment to the dunyā.
(والخشوعُ وخوفُ اللهِ) Humility and Fear of Allah
Cultivating deep reverence and awe before Allah — the root from which all true worship grows.
Virtues 80–100
Mercy, Simplicity, and the Virtues of the Heart
From tender mercy toward the vulnerable, to the courageous defense of truth, to the quiet contentment of a satisfied soul — these virtues reflect Islam's vision of a complete and compassionate human being.
(ودرءُ المفاسدِ) Preventing Harms
Proactively working to avert corruption and damage — not waiting for harm to occur before responding.
(والدأبُ في طلبِ العلمِ) Diligence in Seeking Knowledge
Persisting in the pursuit of sacred and beneficial knowledge — one of the greatest acts of worship.
(ورحمةُ الصغارِ والمساكينِ) Mercy for the Vulnerable
Compassion for children, the poor, orphans, animals, and the sick — those most in need of gentle care.
(والرفقُ في المعيشةِ) Simplicity in Living
Embracing a gentle and undemanding lifestyle — contentment with what is sufficient without excess.
(والرجاءُ) Hope
Maintaining hope in Allah's mercy — never despairing, for despair of Allah's mercy is itself a grave sin.
(والسخاءُ والسماحُ) Generosity and Tolerance
A generous spirit in giving wealth and a tolerant heart in human dealings — twin pillars of noble character.
(والزهدُ) Asceticism
Detachment from worldly pursuits and possessions — the heart is in Allah's hand, not enslaved to the material world.
(والرضى بالدونِ من المجالسِ) Contentment with Lesser Places
Being satisfied with a humble seat in a gathering — not jostling for position or recognition among people.
(والرقةُ للغيرِ) Tenderness for the Suffering
A soft and compassionate heart that genuinely feels the pain of those who are suffering around it.
(والشجاعةُ والشهامةُ) Courage and Gallantry
Standing firm in the face of fear and injustice — a believer does not abandon what is right out of cowardice.
(والشفاعةُ) Intercession
Using one's standing to vouch for and assist those who are deserving — a noble act of social support.
(والشكرُ) Gratitude
Recognizing and expressing thankfulness for Allah's blessings — with the heart, the tongue, and the limbs.
The Pinnacles: Patience, Truth, and Spiritual Clarity
These are among the most celebrated virtues in the Islamic tradition — patience, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness, and the spiritual clarity of discernment. Together they form the crown of moral excellence.
(والصبرُ) Patience
Bearing hardship with composure and trust in Allah — a virtue praised in over ninety verses of the Qur'an.
(والصدقُ) Truthfulness
Speaking and embodying truth in all circumstances — sincerity of word that mirrors sincerity of heart.
(والعدلُ) Justice
Treating every person and every situation with equity — giving what is due without favoritism or injustice.
(والعفوُ) Forgiveness
Pardoning those who have wronged you — among the noblest acts and most beloved to Allah the Exalted.
(والفراسةُ) Discernment
The God-given ability to read people and situations with spiritual clarity — a light Allah places in the hearts of the righteous.
(والصلحُ) Reconciliation
Actively pursuing peace and resolution between conflicting parties — one of the greatest social obligations.
(وصلةُ الرحمِ) Maintaining Family Ties
Upholding the sacred bonds of kinship — cutting family ties is among the most severely warned-against acts.
(والصومُ) Fasting
Fasting — not only in Ramadan but as a consistent spiritual discipline that purifies and disciplines the soul.
(وضبطُ النفسِ عن النفرةِ) Self-Control
Restraining oneself from reactive repulsion — maintaining composure even in the face of what disturbs you.
(وطهارةُ الباطنِ) Purity of Heart
Cleansing the inner self of pride, envy, rancor, and attachment to other than Allah — the root of all outer purity.
(والعفةُ) Chastity
Guarding oneself from all forms of moral indecency — a virtue that protects the individual, family, and society.
Virtues 107–131
Aspiration, Accountability, and Upholding Rights
From the heights of high aspiration to the discipline of self-accountability — these virtues describe a believer who is simultaneously ambitious for the Hereafter and rigorously honest with themselves. They also speak to the social obligations of enjoining right and fulfilling needs.
1
(والعزلةُ) Solitude
Knowing when to withdraw from people to reflect, worship, and renew the soul in private devotion.
2
(وعلوُّ الهمةِ) High Aspirations
Setting one's sights high in matters of faith, knowledge, and service — never settling for spiritual mediocrity.
3
(والغضبُ للهِ) Anger for Allah
Becoming genuinely angered when Allah's limits are violated — a sign of living faith and moral seriousness.
4
(والغيرةُ للهِ) Praiseworthy Jealousy
A noble protective jealousy over what Allah has made sacred — of family, honor, and the bounds of the sacred law.
(والفزعُ إلى الصلاةِ) Rushing to Prayer in Hardship
Turning to ṣalāh in times of difficulty — as the Prophet ﷺ would hasten to prayer when distressed.
(والقناعةُ) Contentment
Being satisfied with one's provision — qanāʿah is a treasure that never runs out.
(وقضاءُ حوائجِ الناسِ) Fulfilling People's Needs
Actively helping to solve the problems and meet the needs of those around you — one of the most beloved acts to Allah.
(وكظمُ الغيظِ) Suppressing Anger
Swallowing anger at its peak — a supreme act of self-mastery for which Allah promises the greatest of rewards.
(وكفالةُ اليتيمِ) Caring for Orphans
Sponsoring and protecting the orphan — the Prophet ﷺ described the one who does so as his neighbor in Paradise.
(ومحاسبةُ النفسِ) Self-Accountability
Regularly auditing one's own deeds, intentions, and character — the practice of the wise before they are called to account.
(ومخالفتُها) Going Against One's Desires
Deliberately contradicting the lower self's preferences as a discipline — a key technique of the spiritual path.
(والمعاشرةُ بالمعروفِ) Good Co-Existence
Living harmoniously with people — in marriage, family, work, and community — with kindness and propriety.
The catalogue closes with virtues that encompass love of the Prophet's family, moderation in social life, sincere counsel, and the crowning virtue of all — certainty in Allah. These final stations represent the fullness of a believer's moral and spiritual life.
(ومحبةُ أهلِ البيتِ) Loving the Prophet's Family
Holding the Ahl al-Bayt in the heart with love, reverence, and loyalty — a duty enjoined in the Qur'an itself.
(والمكافأةُ) Reciprocation
Responding to goodness with equivalent or greater goodness — not leaving acts of kindness unacknowledged.
(والمزحُ القليلُ) Moderate Joking
Light and wholesome humor in appropriate measure — never excessive, hurtful, or at the expense of truth.
(والنهيُ عن المنكرِ) Forbidding Evil
Standing against wrong when one sees it — with wisdom and within one's capacity — a pillar of communal morality.
(والنصحُ) Sincere Advice
Offering honest and well-intentioned counsel — naṣīḥah is the very definition of what religion means in one narration.
(والنزاهةُ) Purity
Keeping oneself free from moral stain, ethical compromise, and anything that sullies one's integrity.
(والورعُ) Piety
Scrupulous caution in all matters of religion — avoiding the prohibited and anything that clouds the heart.
(وهضمُ النفسِ) Self-Abasement
Deflating the ego voluntarily — not demanding recognition for one's good deeds or status.
(واليقينُ) Certainty
Unshakeable conviction in Allah, His promises, and the unseen — yaqīn is the highest station of faith and the foundation of all action.
The Mirror of the Soul
This catalogue is not a checklist to complete — it is a mirror to hold before the soul with honesty, humility, and hope. The wise believer returns to it regularly, asking: Where am I strong? Where am I weak? What have I neglected? What must I revive?
Al-Munāwī's catalogue reminds us that moral excellence is not a destination but a lifelong journey — one that begins anew every day with sincere intention and the seeking of Allah's help.
01
Read Slowly
Go through the list without rushing — pause at each virtue and let it sit with you before moving on.
02
Assess Honestly
Evaluate each virtue's presence in your own character — where it is strong, weak, present, or absent.
03
Choose One to Work On
Select one virtue that most needs your attention and make it the focus of your effort for a season.
04
Seek Allah's Help
Make duʿā' for tawfīq — you cannot perfect your character without His grace. Return to this list often.