Adab: Noble Conduct and its Significance in Islam

Noble conduct is called al-adab because it disciplines people towards all that is meritable and restrains them from the unworthy and superfluous. Adab (noble conduct produces elegance of speech, beautifies interpersonal relations, and reflects the soul’s inner beauty and one’s governing principles. Adab is not limited merely to eloquence, rhetoric and the preservation of sciences and poetry. Instead, adab is firmly rooted in lofty branches for the benefit of all; it is the entrenchment of noble character and to rejoice in what God bestows upon others, and to be free from envy and hatred. Whoever has tempered and adorned one’s etiquette, their speech becomes less, silence is prolonged, conversation is good and forbearance is apparent. Adab is to be generous, gentle, wise and intelligent, and expunge oneself entirely of indiscretion and anger.