The Character Traits of the Chosen One
The Akhlaaq’l-Mustafa (the Character Traits of the Chosen One) by Shaykh Abdullahi ibn Fuduye` is an exposition upon the personality of the most perfect creature that ever existed, our master, Muhammad ibn Abdullahi, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
The title of the text is taken from the singular phrase ‘khuluq’ with the letter laam inflected with the damma, which means – one’s personal way of life, nature, and natural disposition. Ibn al-Mandhuur said:
“The reality of character is the inward form of a human, which is his reality, his inner attributes and the meanings which specifically define him and has the same place inwardly that his physical nature (khalq) has outwardly, in terms of his outer attributes and meanings. Both the inward personality (khuluq) and the outward shape (khalq) have excellent and repulsive traits. However, recompense and punishments which are associated with one’s inward traits are far greater than the recompense and punishments associated with the outward physical traits.”
Imam al-Qurtubi said:
“The reality of the expression character linguistically is what a human takes upon himself as a form of courtesy. It is named ‘character’ because in him it becomes just like his physical nature.”
The author named the text Akhlaaq’l-Mustafa (the Character Traits of the Chosen One) in order to clarify the inner attributes of our master Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, his personal courtesies, natural personality and disposition.
Allah ta`ala says:
“And you are upon an immense character trait.”
This means that he, upon him be blessings and peace was upon the courtesies of the Qur’an, as Ali ibn Abi Talib and Atiyya both said that it was a reference to his compassion and generosity towards his Umma.
It is for this reason that A`isha said:
“His character was the Qur’an.”
Meaning that he, upon him be blessings and peace adhered to the Qur’an in its courtesies, commands, prohibitions, and what it embraces from nobility, uprightness, and benevolence. The Imam of the circle of the Sufis, al-Junayd al-Baghdadi, may Allah be pleased with him said:
“His character was called immense because he, upon him be blessings and peace, had no endeavor besides to please Allah ta`ala.”
For there was no one more excellent in character then the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, because no praiseworthy character trait can be discussed except that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace had the greatest share of it. He once said:
“Indeed Allah sent me to perfect noble character.”
In another narration he said:
“I was sent to perfect noble character.”
He said:
“There is nothing on the Scales which is weightier than excellent character.”
He said:
“That which causes people to be entered into Paradise the most is; fearful awareness of Allah, and excellent character.”
He said:
“A servant can realize by means of the excellence of his character the rank of those who fast and pray constantly.”
He said:
“The most perfect of the believers in faith are those who are the most excellent of them in character.”
There are many other prophetic traditions narrated regarding the praise of excellent character and its recompense. The scholars have composed treasured text regarding the character traits of the Chosen Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
Among the best of them are the as-Shifa bi Ta`reef Huquuq’l-Mustafa of the tradititionist, and Imamal-Qaadi Abu’l-Fadl `Iyad ibn Musa, may the mercy of Allah be upon him; the as-Shimaa’il ‘n-Nabawiyya wa’l-Khasaa’il ‘l-Mustafawiyya of Imam Abu `Isa Muhammad ibn Sura at-Tirmidhi, may the mercy of Allah be upon him; as well as the as-Shimaa’il as-Shareefa of Imam Jalaal’d-Deen Abd’r-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr as-Suyuti, may Allah be merciful to him.
This concise text, Akhlaaq’l-Mustafa of Shaykh Abdullahi ibn Fuduye` is an abridgment and summarization of these blessed texts, and constitutes the foundation of the fundamental elements of the science of tasawwuf regarding the transformation of character.
The Sankore` Institute of Islamic-African Studies International is honored to present the full text in Arabic, English, French and Spanish so that people can examine the personality of the best of creation, his nobility, courtesies, benevolence and compassion, which entitles him to be called ‘the mercy to all the worlds.’
It is our intention, if Allah ta`ala wills, of composing a commentary upon this blessed text entitled Nayl as-Safaa’ Fee Sharh `Ala Akhlaaq’l-Mustafa (the Realization of Purification Regarding the Commentary upon the Character Traits of the Chosen One), composed on behalf of my son, Alfa Umar, particularly, my other children in general, as well as for those whom Allah ta`ala wills from our loved ones, and the believers; as an explanation that the foundation of the Path to Allah ta`ala and Gnosis of Him is constructed upon adherence to the character traits of our master Muhammad, upon him be the best blessings and most perfect peace.
Shaykh Muhammad Shareef bin Farid
Assalamu Alaikum
May Allah increase his Wisdom and knowledge. I was attracted by you versatility in Reflection on the pen as symbol of the transformative aspect of the light of Muhammad, and then comes your intriguing article On the science of geomancy.
Intriguing because some Islamic Scholar’s view geomancy as insight in the realm of Ghaib.
Finally You wrote that Shaykh Abul Huda transmitted to you to recite Ya AZEEZ 7,000 times in your article On the secret of the devine name AL AZEEZ (The Mighty). Why 7,000 pers day ? Could someone add Ya AZEEZ with Ya HAKEEm?
Bissalam
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,
Dear Shaykh, barakAllahu feekum for all your precious work, may Allah give you tawfiq to do evermore.
I would like to include a summary of Akhlaq al Mustafa in French as part of a treatise on Aqida, based on Muqaddimat al Risala of Ibn Abi Zayd that would eventually be published inshaAllah.
I would like to humbly ask for your permission as the work is copyrighted. If there are any means to purchase the book, please let me know inshaAllah.
BarakAllahu feekum,
Wassalam
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahma…contact me directly at siiasi@yandex.com…
Assalamu alaikum Ya Shaikh, Thanks for the wonderful job well done. Is there any book hat that highlighted the history of MaiWUrno in Sudan, who migrated from Sokoto and settled in Sudan during the British invasion of the Sokoto Dynasty?
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahma for a history of the great migration to the east foretold by Shehu Uthman Dan Fodio read my Zaman an-Nasaara: https://siiasi.org/digital-archive/shaykh-muhammad-shareef/zamann-nasaara/
As salamu alaikum. We appreciate the books translated by you and your community.I’m the Wazir of Mamelodi in South Africa under the amirate of Amir Hamza Ngozi.Can you please send us access to Bayan Hujub Alhijra of Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodio.May Allah reward you.
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahma
I do not understand. Are you all associated with Amir Rasheed in Johanesburg? Or are you with the jama`at that accepted the ba`aya back in the ealy part of the 2000s? As for the Bayaan Wujuub al-Hijra of the Shehu, I have the original manuscripts from both Nigeria and the Sudan, but I have not translated it completely. I’ve only translated a section of the text in my commentary upon the Sawq al-Umma. As for the complete translation and editing of the Arabic text; that was done by my teacher and mentor Dr. Fathi El-Misri the head of the Arabic Department at Omdurman Ahliyyah University. It was published by the University of Khartoum Press and I believe the tezt is still in print. If you know anyone in Sudan or going to Sudan, you should ask them to pass by the University of Khartoum and precure copies.