The Foundation Of A Man Is His Intellect — His Honor Is In His Religion, And His Manhood Is In His Character:
With a variety of modern ideologies, philosophies, and religions competing to define what it means to be a man, — it is ever more critically important For Muslim men to understand masculinity as it was understood by their righteous predecessors.
Unlike theories of masculinity that promote the ‘alpha male’ as dominating other men and women, masculinity in Islam is For a man to Fulfill the good character traits and dignified manners taught by the religion as a whole.
A True Muslim man is just, kind, compassionate, forgiving, responsible, hard-working, humble, patient, forbearing, truthful, trustworthy, courageous, soft-hearted, honoring women, and controlling his lower desires and impulses.
Fulfilling the needs of others before himself, continually refining his intellect, improving his character, seeking knowledge as a life-long learner, avoiding undignified behavior and sinful deeds, and emulating the character Prophet (saw) and his righteous Followers to the best of his ability.
The Islamic concept of masculinity, manhood, or ‘manliness’ (al-muru’ah) can be summarized by the broad ethical injunctions of the Quran and Sunnah.
Ibn Marzuban reported: It was said to Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah(May Allah have mercy on him) “All things are derived From the Quran, so where is manhood in it?”
Sufyan said:In the saying of Allah Almighty, ‘Show Forgiveness, enjoin good, and turn away From the ignorant,’ (7:199). In this is manhood.
(Source: al-Murū’ah 1/133)
Al-Mada’ini reported: It was said to Ahnaf ibn Qays(May Allah have mercy on him) “What is manhood?”
Ahnaf said:Forbearance at a time of anger and Forgiveness at a time of power.
(Source: al-Murū’ah 64)
Abdullah ibn Shumait reported: Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani(May Allah have mercy on him) said:A man will not hit the mark, nor Fulfill his manhood, until he has two characteristics: Forgiving people and overlooking their Faults.
(Source: al-Murū’ah 106)
A True Muslim man should be kind towards people and love For them the same as he loves For himself — He should give off a Friendly and non-threatening aura, while also putting the needs of others over himself.
Ahmad ibn Jamil reported: Muhammad ibn al-Nadr(May Allah have mercy on him) said:
The First part of manhood is a cheerful Face.
The second part is loving kindness to people.
The third part is Fulfilling the needs of others.
(Source: al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir al-‘Ilm 828)
Ibn al-Mubarak reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab(May Allah be pleased with him) said: Do not let yourselves be impressed by the roar of a man. Rather, if he Fulfills the trust and restrains himself From harming the honor of people, then he will truly be a man. (Source: al-Zuhd wal-Raqā’iq 681)
So, the point is that — a person gets Honor by obeying his Lord. Whenever a Nation disobeyed the orders of Allah(swt), it was humiliated and disgraced. The essence of manhood is to stand on the Truth and courageously Fulfill the responsibilities that Allah(swt) has given to this man.
May Allah(swt) make us bound to the limits of our Lord and make us Successful in this Life and the Hereafter. (Ameen).
JazakAllah (May Allah Reward You [with] Goodness)For Reading.