وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ And indeed, you are of a great moral character. [68:4]
Al-Khuluq: The nature of the soul, and it is mostly used to describe good traits when not followed by an adjective. It has previously been mentioned in the verse: ‘ إِنْ هَذَا إِلَّا خُلُقُ الْأَوَّلِينَ This is nothing but the character of the ancients.’ (Surah Ash-Shu’ara, 26:137).
Al-‘Adhim: The lofty rank, and it is borrowed from the magnitude of the body. This metaphor has become prevalent until it has become equivalent to the literal meaning.
And ‘عَلَى (upon) is used for the metaphorical elevation, referring to the power [التَّمَكُّنُ], as in His saying: ‘أُولئِكَ عَلى هُدىً مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ They are upon guidance from their Lord’ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:5), and His saying: إِنَّكَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ الْمُبِينِ ‘Indeed, you are upon clear truth’ (Surah An-Naml, 27:79), ‘Indeed, you are upon a straight path’ (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:43), إِنَّكَ لَعَلى هُدىً مُسْتَقِيمٍ ‘Indeed, you are upon a straight guidance’ (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:67).”
In the narration of Aisha[ra], it is mentioned that she was asked about the character of the Messenger of Allah, صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, and she said, كَانَ خُلُقُهُ الْقُرْآنَ “His character was the Quran,” meaning it encompassed the virtues, noble qualities, and the prohibition of their opposites mentioned in the Quran.
الْخُلُقُ الْعَظِيمُ Al-Khuluq al-‘Adhim: It refers to the noblest type of character and represents the highest level of commendable traits in the disposition of a person. It includes the combination of noble qualities found in the Prophet, صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, manifesting in his excellent treatment of people in various circumstances necessary for good conduct. Therefore, al-Khuluq al-‘Adhim surpasses the general concept of good character.
This is why Aisha [ra] said, “His character was the Quran.” Shouldn’t you read it as: قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ “Indeed, the believers have succeeded” [Surah Al-Mu’minun: 1] and the ten verses? Ali said about al-Khuluq al-‘Adhim: It is the adab (manners) of the Quran, encompassing all the praises of character and descriptions of the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, such as His saying: فَبِما رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ “By mercy from Allah, you were lenient with them” [Surah Al-Imran: 159], and His saying: خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ الْجاهِلِينَ “Forgive, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant” [Surah Al-A’raf: 199], and other similar verses of the Quran. The manners acquired through revelation, other than the Quran, are taken from him.
The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said, إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ “I was only sent to perfect the noble qualities of character.” Thus, he made the foundation of his Sharia the completion of the noble qualities of character that humanity needs within themselves. Undoubtedly, the Messenger, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, is the greatest exemplification of what his Sharia contains. Allah says, ثُمَّ جَعَلْناكَ عَلى شَرِيعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْها. “Then We put you, [O Muhammad], on an ordained way concerning the matter [of religion]; so follow it ” [Surah Al-Jathiyah: 18], and He commanded him to say, وَأَنَا أَوَّلُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ “I am the first of the Muslims” [Surah Al-An’am: 163].
Through this, the meaning of empowerment becomes clearer, as indicated by the elevated meaning conveyed by the word “عَلى” in His statement, ” وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلى خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍAnd indeed, you are of a great moral character.” Thus, the Prophet possessed and embodied the great character within himself, and he was empowered by it in his religious call.
Know that the comprehensive set of great character traits, which represents the highest level of good character, includes: piety, knowledge of truths, self-control, justice, patience in the face of hardships, acknowledgement of the doer of good, humility, asceticism, chastity, forgiveness, steadfastness, modesty, courage, good silence, tranquillity, dignity, mercy, good treatment, and companionship.
Character is intrinsic to one’s self, and its manifestations are seen in a person’s speech, behaviour, and interaction with others.
And as for its manifestations in the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, they encompass all aspects of his life, including his countenance, firmness, judgment, movements, and stillness, as well as his eating and drinking habits. It also includes how he disciplined his family and those under his care, and the sanctity associated with him among people, as well as his commendation and reputation.
As for the manifestations of great character in the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, they encompass all of the mentioned aspects and are evident in his governance of his Ummah (community), as well as in his eloquence and the comprehensive nature of his speech.