The Noblest Characters, by Imam At-Tabârâniyy

A Muslim will not welcome the respect that will be shown to him because of his rank, his social condition or his power, because authority has only one time and is one of the most ephemeral things in this world. In the same way he will not rejoice in the esteem that will be given to him in view of his wealth, because fortune follows power very closely in the speed of disappearance.


Nor will he consider himself happy with the consideration accorded to his lineage, for the qualities inherent in the lineage are the titles of glory which least serve those to whom they are bestowed, here below and in the hereafter. . On the other hand, if he is shown respect for his good manners and moral qualities, then he rejoices. For his moral qualities will never leave him in this world, any more than his religion will leave him in the hereafter.


Among the hadith works on Muslim ethics that have come down to us, the Makârim Al-Akhlâq of the Hâfidh At-Tabârâniyy ( M.360H .) remains one of the most accomplished. In the vein of the Adab Al-Mufrad of Imam al-Bukhâriyy , it lists the prophetic traditions relating to the values and moral rules specific to Islâm , and subdivides them into chapters presented by a title which indicates the material.