goodbehaviourandmorality

Many people think that prosperity and adversity are the result of factors like riches, personality, statue and authority. However, according to Islam, prosperity springs from matters which increase the spiritual and moral value of man and fundamentals thereof have been explained in the sayings of the leaders of the religion-one of them being cheerfulness and good humor.

Imam al Sadiq (AS) says:
"Good behaviour is one of the factors of human prosperity."

And that being so it is not surprising that the Almighty Allah should praise His Prophet for this quality and says:
"Yours is a sublime nature." Sura al Qalam, verse 4

And that He also bases the rapid advancement of Islam on this factor and says:
"Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have surely deserted you." Sura ale'Imran, verse 159

Islam accords a special position to good nature and proper behaviour

Imam Ali (AS) says:
"The faith of one who possesses good morals is more complete."

Imam al Sadiq (AS) says:
"Whoever is more well-behaved is wiser than others."

"The Lord has given you the Islamic faith. You, too, should guard it well by being forgiving and well-behaved."

At times Islam invites people to think about the good spiritual effects of proper behaviour and good morals.

For example the holy Prophet (SAw) says:
"The spiritual reward of one who possesses good morals is like that of one who fasts and prays continuously."

"The things which will mostly carry my followers to Paradise are fear of Allah and good morals."

Imam al Sadiq (AS) says:
"The spiritual reward given by Allah for good behaviour and good morals is equal to that of fighting in His path."

"Good morals melt the sins into water (and make them disappear) just as the sun melts snow on the face of the earth."

"And (on the other side) misconduct vitiates the good deeds of man just as vinegar spoils honey."

And the holy Prophet (SAW) says:
"An immoral person can never repent for his sins, for whenever he forsakes one sin he will become involved in a still greater sin."

And at times (Islam mentions the collective and individual losses which man has to face on account of bad morals and also narrates the advantages which accure from good morals.

Imam al Sadiq (AS) says:
"Doing good to the people and behaving properly with them makes the cities populous and increases the age (of the citizens)."

"An immoral person remains involved in torture and anguish."

The holy Prophet of Islam (SAW) tells his kinsmen:
"O sons of Abu al Muttalib! You cannot please all the people with money, but you should meet them with cheerful faces and good behaviour (so that you may be liked by them, for wealth is limited in any case but the capital of good morals and cheerfulness is inexhaustible.)"

What is good behaviour?]
Imam al Sadiq (AS) when questioned about good behaviour, replied:
"Good behaviour is this that you should be kind to the people and speak with them in a nice manner and meet them with a cheerful face."