The Power of Quiet Strength – Why Akhlaaq Outlasts Aesthetics
Bismillāh.
This is a reminder first to myself, written in need, not from a place of knowing, but hoping.
If it benefits you too, then All Praise is due to Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone.
Modern culture screams: “Be bold. Be seen. Be louder.”
But Islam advises something more lasting: “Be upright. Be refined. Be sincere.”
In a world fixated on beauty that fades, attention that distracts, and strength that often imitates arrogance, we remember: true honour lies in character.
“Nothing is heavier on the scale of the believer on the Day of Resurrection than good character (ḥusn al-khuluq).”
— Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2002
Beauty can turn heads.
Character turns hearts and pleases the One who created them.
💬 A Letter to Myself
Dear self,
Quiet strength is not weakness.
Holding your tongue is not cowardice.
Walking away from drama is not loss.
You are not made to prove yourself in noise.
Be the one who is dignified in disagreement.
Kind even when wronged. Steady when tested.
Not because the world is watching,
but because your Lord always is.
There is beauty in discipline. There is depth in patience.
There is khayr and power in Akhaaq.
🧱 What I’m Trying to Build
A few traits I want to nurture with intention:
🪶 1. Grace in Speech
If it won’t benefit, stay silent.
Respond with kindness, even to what offends.
Remember: “Speak a good word or remain silent.” (Sahih Muslim 47)
🌿 2. Calm in Conduct
Don’t mirror the chaos around you.
Hold back harshness, even if it feels justified.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The strong one is not he who can wrestle, but he who controls himself when angry.” (Sahih Muslim 2609)
📿 3. Modesty in Presence
Choose humility in how you walk, dress, and show up.
Let your beauty be for Allah سبحانه وتعالى.
Lowering the gaze begins from the heart.
📖 4. Consistency in Manners
Good character is not a performance.
Be gentle with your family, your friends, and strangers.
The Prophet ﷺ was described by ʿA’ishah (raḍiyallāhu ʿanhā) as: “His character was the Qur’an.” (كتاب حسن الخلق - Book 14, Hadith 308)
📌 Practical Tips When It’s Difficult
💭 Pause before replying. Ask: Will this please Allah?
📝 Keep a daily akhlaaq tracker: How did I respond when tested?
🌙 Make duʿa every night: “O Allah, beautify my character as You have beautified my appearance.” (Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad)
📖 Anchored in Revelation
“And speak to people good [words]…” — Sūrah al-Baqarah (2:83)
“Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous…” — Sūrah al-Ḥujurāt (49:13)
“And you (O Muhammad) are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character.” — Sūrah al-Qalam (68:4)
🌸 Final Reflections
The Prophet ﷺ taught us to build and perfect character.
So I remind myself:
Your dignity doesn’t come from who notices your efforts - it comes from how closely you walk the Straight Path.
Refinement. Restraint. Sabr. Adaab.
That’s the strength I want.
That’s the strength I ask Allah for.
With love always,
still striving, still learning —
your sister in need of Allah.
