Nature of virtue and vice

Sahih Muslim 2553 a
Nawwas b. Sam’an al-Ansari reported: I asked Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) about virtue and vice. He said: Virtue is a kind disposition and vice is what rankles in your heart and that you disapprove that people should come to know of it.

• This hadith from Sahih Muslim 2553a conveys a message about the nature of virtue and vice according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to the hadith, virtue is characterized by a kind and benevolent disposition. This means that a virtuous person is someone who demonstrates kindness, compassion, and generosity towards others. Such a person strives to do good and be helpful to those around them. On the other hand, vice is described as something that rankles in one’s heart, meaning it causes inner turmoil and distress. The hadith also notes that vice is something that a person disapproves of others knowing about, indicating that it may involve secretive or deceptive behavior.

Overall, this hadith emphasizes the importance of cultivating a kind and benevolent nature, while avoiding behaviors that cause inner turmoil and go against the principles of honesty and integrity.

Qur’anic References

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177)
“Righteousness (Birr) is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets, and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; and [who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”
This verse defines true virtue (birr) as a combination of faith, good character, charity, patience, and honesty, aligning with the Prophet’s (ﷺ) description.

Surah Ash-Shams (91:7-10)
“And by the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who instills it [with corruption].”
This verse shows that Allah has placed within every soul a natural ability to recognize virtue and vice. Those who purify their hearts by following righteousness will succeed, while those who allow themselves to be corrupted will fail.

Surah Al-Imran (3:104)
“Let there be a group among you who call to goodness, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong. It is they who will be successful.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of promoting virtue and discouraging vice within the community.