"The Content of Character" Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazrui (Part 1)

"The Content of Character: Ethical Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)"
Translation and Introduction by Hamza Yusuf
Collected by Shaykh Al-Amin Ali Mazrui

First, jazakAllah khair to Huma for the book :) I love it! The book is mainly a collection of hadith about characteristics befitting of a Muslim. In the back, there's a section about hadith as well as short biographies of some of the narrators.

When I first started reading, my initial intention had been to mark off a few of my favorite hadith and post them here... but as I whizzed through the book, I realized there's usually 3 or 4 from EVERY page that I loved and wanted to share, but i know if I put them all up, barely anyone will take the time to read them all. Rather than dwindle those down even farther, I'll split up this post in segments. Enjoy and benefit, inshaAllah :)

Introduction (by Hamza Yusuf)

Can we change by listening? Can we be so touched and inspired by words that we are moved to renew and remake ourselves as better, nobler, and more merciful human being? the impact that good words have had on humanity throughout history resoundingly declares that we can.

"Whether you are a Muslim, a practitioner of another faith, or even someone who has no religious belief, these saying have much to teach us."

"Perhaps even more importantly for us as individuals, the hadiths are also a way to know our own selves better. They function as mirrors -- by looking into them, we may come to see ourselves more clearly. We may come to see our humanity, the best and worst of ourselves. And through this seeing, this reflection, we may be moved to change ourselves to be more conformed to principled behavior."

"Each saying is also a way to know more intimately the man who first uttered them. They can provide an opening into the one who, for Muslims is the embodiment of impeccable character; the Prophet says, "I was only sent to perfect noble character." These sayings are more than just words; they are the verbal expressions of his personal conduct. As one of his companions, 'Amr bin Al-'As said, "We saw everything the Prophet taught us embodied in his own character."

"Following the Prophet means following his kindness to animals, his gentleness with children, his concern for the weak and oppressed, his care of the orphan and the widow, and his deep practice of justice always tempered with mercy. It means modeling oneself on his character."

"Ironically, this dire need to listen to the Prophet Muhammad applies as much to some misguided Muslims as it does to peoples of other faiths and creeds. Perhaps if we in the West made greater efforsts to remove the historical ignorance we have inherited by taking the Prophet as seriously as he deserves to be taken, many people in the troubled East might reevaluate their own shortcomings in grasping his universal message of mercy and compassion. The 13th century Egyptian poet, Ibn al-Farid, said,

"If the fragrance of his remembrance radiates in the West
And a sick man resides in the East, he will recover."

"Read each [of the sayings] slowly, contemplatively, letting it reveal its wisdom to you. As the Prophet reminded us, "Consideration is from God, and haste is from Satan." Find one that speaks to you and listen to it. Let it permeate you, and then in the example of the Prophet Muhammad, try to implement it in your life. And then return to them now and again as continual source of guidance and wisdom."