Kindness and Good Temper: A Central Virtue in Islamic Ethics
Hojat-ol-Islam Abbas Pasandideh, head of the Research Institute for Ethics and Psychology at the Center for Quran and Hadith Studies, made the remarks on Tuesday during a scholarly session titled “The Virtue of Good Temper from an Islamic Perspective.”
The event was part of the Second International Conference on Comparative Ethical Studies in Islam and Christianity.
Pasandideh said that ethics can serve as a common ground for dialogue between religions. “Such cooperation can help save ethics in the world,” he noted, arguing that moral values are currently “in decline globally.”
The scholar explained that religions possess strong powers of conceptualization and language creation. “For example, Islam includes the notion of makārim al-akhlāq (noble moral traits), a concept that does not exist in Christian literature,” he said.
According to him, the term husn al-khulq (good character) in Islamic texts does not encompass all virtues but focuses on particular moral traits.
Pasandideh underlined that good temper leads to easier communication and greater social harmony. “In social relations, we need ease in communication, and traditions emphasize this. Good character not only creates ease and openness but also adds beauty to relationships,” he said.
Read More:
He pointed out that Islamic teachings mention several examples of good character, including friendliness, flexibility, and patience in the face of disagreement (mudārā). Other manifestations, he added, include kind speech and a welcoming face, known in Arabic as ṭalāqat al-wajh.
“Humor is also part of good character,” Pasandideh said, adding that it helps bring joy to others and strengthen social bonds.
He also cited “self-restraint in anger” and “fairness” as further dimensions of moral conduct, noting that fairness means “seeing oneself and others as two halves of one apple — wishing for others what one wishes for oneself.”
Pasandideh said that sound tone, pleasant expression, and fairness reduce social hierarchies and improve mutual respect. He urged that Islamic moral teachings be understood not only as ideals but also as practical principles for daily life.
4310644
