Peace, one and all…
‘Culture (adab) really means ‘the collection of virtuous qualities’, though in ordinary language anyone is called ‘cultured’ (adib) who is acquainted with Arabic philology and grammar. But, the Sufis define culture (adab) as ‘dwelling with praiseworthy qualities’, and say that it means ‘to act with propriety towards God in public and private; if you act thus, you are ‘cultured’, even if you are a ‘foreigner’ (i.e. non-Arab) and if not, you are the opposite’
(al-Huwjiri, Kashf al-Mahjub)
June 18, 2008 at 7:21 pm
alSalaam alaykom
The word Adab has been on my mind constantly for two decades, but it was more towards behavior than religon.
Adab is a moral and ethical equalizer – the more Adab you have the better person you are, regardless of anything else at all. Two twin brothers might have different levels of Adab, the one with the best Adab will be a better person from a behavioral sence – better towards his parents, children, friends, neighbors etc.
In Islam we are evaluated by Taqwa i.e how much our faith effects out behaivior for the better, Adab is like that only without and theology or religion conotations. A Christian, Jew or Hindu with great Adab is much nicer to be with than a person with little or no Adab. Gandhi and the Dali Lama have faiths that do not agree with mine, but I learn Adab from them becuase their behavior itself is a goal to seek.
One thing that I suspect but am not sure of is that all people with high Adab also use language better than most people – their words are described as “dorar” jewels, while words of the “Safeej – impolite, rude” are like stones and rocks. It’s not a matter of talent I think, just that Adab people care more than most to pick just the right words while Safeeh thinks it’s a waste of time.
Mohamed (pbuh) sumerized his whole message once in a very simple way, in that he was sent to raise (complete) the higher morals – (Makarim alakhlaq) – kindness, generosity, careing, etc – the more you take the effort to raise your Adab the better Taqwa you have.
There is another side to Adab however, disipline – a father tells his son all these things, the great poems, legends and anyting else to increase his sons Adab – but it also requires he use force to correct mistakes like theft, greed and agresion towards his sister. When we talk religion (Taqwa) this would mean hell as punishment for sins – so a father’s disipline is kindness.
Adab also means to setup or arrange (sp) – a person invites you to dinner at his home is called “Madaba” becuase the food will be arranged, and a young girls combs her doll’s hair (Adabat) – and a young boy thinks of how he is going to raise his own son, smack! that is adab to
The thing about the Quran is that it is the world’s purest source of Adab if only on a literary view alone. I mean it is a good read and makes it’s readers better people to, and the more they read it the better they become i.e they gain more Adab.
Taqwa is Adab but while Adab is natural, Taqwa adds the urge to raise ones own Adab as much as posible. Without Taqwa a person will accept his naturally good traits and have little cause to increase it but with Taqwa there is always a need to increase Adab.
Islam defines Arab as anyone who knows Arabic, a person who does not know Arabic is called “Ajam” even if he is of Arab origin. I am sure you know that Taqwa is the only measuer important when compareing Muslims in regards to being favored or disfavored by God – Adab is like that but on a behavioral level as it sets how much a person is favored by his famaliy and friends.
Peace
June 19, 2008 at 10:37 am
Wa alaikum salaam Azooz,
Allah bless you for sharing your detailed and insightful thoughts.
Your thoughts are very interesting – in particular, the trans-religious nature of adab in itself. On reflection, I agree. Adab is a human quality and so anyone can be an adib (which I think is the real point underlying the quotation above). I have also learnt greatly about adab from people of other faiths, and indeed of none.
I would also agree with your analysis that, in effect, taqwa and adab are different levels of the same thing.
Salaams again,
Abdur Rahman