Our Prophet's
akhlaq
"And you are truly ˹a man˺ of outstanding character"
[Surah Al-Qalam 68:4]
Signs of Bad Akhlaq (character) - Shahwah; Being a slave to your own desires
By: Shaikh Zafar Ul Hasan Al Madani

Whether it’s being a miser, a spendthrift, or a womanizer, this all is equivalent to being a slave to your own desires. This list also includes greed and laziness. Fulfilling one's desires can force a person to take extreme measures, making him the worst kind of human. His Akhlaq deteriorates and his moral values collapse.

Tazkiya nafs or purification of soul helps control one's own desires

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “A person, while submitting to his desire gets carried away up to such an extent that he starts committing atrocities excessively.  Allah Almighty instructs the angels to register that person’s name in the list of rebellious sinners.” It needs to be noted that a person submitting to his desires easily is punished in the same manner in which the transgressors of weighty sins are punished. It might seem that he is commiting simple, small sins, yet the pursuit of one’s desires without rhyme and reason can lead the person in commiting horrendous, weighty sins.

Slavery to desires ruins his Akhlaq

Obeying the nafs or giving in to our desire is counted as worshipping the desire and a slavery of soul. And such act of worshipping desire or Nafs is prohibited in Islam.

Rather, we are encouraged to seek Allah’s refuge against such a type of slavery. Ruling or controlling one's desire is the best tool to combat the bad traits like miserliness, greed, extravagance, lust or laziness. If not checked carefully or repeatedly, these traits form into habits, leading to wrong choices and a morally incorrect lifestyle. Adopting simplicity in life and reining a strong hold over your worldly desires is the best way to combat desires’s supremacy over one’s Akhlaq and life.