“Whoever has a deficiency in his character has a deficiency in his religion, his reputation, and his manhood.” — al-Fudayl b. ‘Iyad
Faith, trustworthiness, and responsibility are essential traits that empower men to overcome adversity, keep their word, and build meaningful lives driven by purpose. The Quran emphasizes the importance of faith, as Allah says: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds — for them will be the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging.” (18:107)
Faith provides men with resilience, moral direction, and a sense of meaning. The Prophet Muhammad said: “Whoever has faith in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
By believing in Allah, men are guided by virtues like honesty, compassion, and kindness, as the Quran states: “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (16:90)
Trustworthiness is a hallmark of manhood, as the Prophet said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he breaks his promise; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
Dependable men consistently keep their word and fulfill obligations, earning respect and enabling lasting connections built on mutual trust. Ibn Mas’ud, a Companion of the Prophet, said: “Whoever is entrusted with something and betrays that trust is not one of us.”
By managing responsibilities reliably, men showcase accountability and integrity, as the Quran states: “O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or the sacred month or the sacrificial animals or the garlanded or those heading for the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval.” (5:2)
Embracing responsibility defines strong masculinity. Diligent men dutifully manage tasks, regardless of scale, and prioritize obligations over frivolity. The Prophet said: “The strong person is not the one who can wrestle well, but the strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
The Qur’an states: “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women” [Quran 4:34]. This verse can be understood as placing a certain level of responsibility on men to act with maturity and self-discipline. Fulfilling duties reliably demonstrates accountability, a central masculine trait.
By consistently following through on commitments, men signal their understanding that they will be held responsible for their actions and the well-being of those they care for. This aligns with the concept of maturity, where one takes ownership of their role and the impact of their choices.
However, manhood encompasses more than just these fundamental attributes. Qualities such as courage, strength, compassion, and leadership also contribute to balanced, socially conscious masculinity. Courage fuels bravery to stand firmly in one’s beliefs despite opposition, as the Quran states: “And do not weaken or grieve, for you will be superior if you are true believers.” (3:139)
Conquering fears, overcoming adversity, and taking the legislated means that Allah provides displays resilience and tenacity, empowering men to achieve their ambitions. Being diligent in seeking good is a masculine virtue, as the Prophet said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer.” (Muslim)
Inner fortitude matches physical strength to create robust manhood. Using might to protect loved ones represents provision and noble purpose.
However, managing emotions with poise is equally key for vulnerability, growth, and empathy. The Companion Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “The strong person is not the one who can wrestle well, but the strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” True strength combines muscle and emotional intelligence.
Men must possess kindness, empathy, and care for others when needed to foster community, as the Quran states: “And do good; indeed Allah loves the doers of good.” (2:195)
Nurturing emotional bonds through attentiveness builds relationships. The Prophet said: “The merciful ones will be shown mercy by the Most Merciful. Be merciful to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will be merciful to you.” (Tirmidhi). Leading with compassion enables growth.
Similarly, leadership involves coordinating teams toward unified goals. Guiding with clear communication, decisiveness, and accountability is a means that Allah provides which leads to success, the Quran states: “And consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah.” (3:159)
Mentoring others also unlocks potential. Effective leadership is a masculine ideal, as the Prophet said: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
However, embracing diverse traits aligned with one’s values is key. Masculinity manifests uniquely in each man. By continually striving for growth, men can cultivate authentic, principled, and socially conscious manhood, as the Quran states: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (13:11)
With faith lending purpose, reliability building trust, and responsibility ensuring accountability, men gain the foundations to face challenges. Add courage, strength, compassion, and leadership, and men unlock their best selves to positively impact society.
Faith, trustworthiness, and accountability remain timeless pillars to build upon. By embracing our masculine role, men transform into their most enlightened selves, embodying the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad.
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This post was previously published on Ibn Leon Morris’ blog.
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