with Allah’s decree and destiny, with His command and His legislation. Such is good character with one’s Lord.

Good character with people is clear enough: it is to refrain from harming them, to show generosity, and to endure them and whatever harm they inflict. Treat them in this way—hold back your harm, give of your bounty, and be patient. The word “bounty” here covers every form of giving, whether money, influence, or anything else. If you behave like this, you will be one of those whose faith is most complete.

The Prophet ﷺ then said, “The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.” The finest of people, therefore, are those who excel in kindness to their own households. If any goodness is found in you, let those nearest to you be the first to benefit from it.

This is the very opposite of what some people do today: you will see a man ill-mannered with his family yet courteous with outsiders, and that is a serious mistake. Your family has the strongest claim to your good conduct; deal with them excellently, for they are the ones who are with you night and day, in private and in public. If misfortune touches you, it touches them; if you rejoice, they rejoice; if you grieve, they grieve. Let your treatment of them surpass your treatment of strangers, for the best of people are those who are best to their families.

I ask Allah to perfect faith for me and for the Muslims, and to make us the best of His servants toward our families and toward all who have a rightful claim upon us.