By Izzud deen Redzuan
Is it true that that there has been a marked decline in the moral standard of the present younger generation? According to some studies, there has been.
To a question whether children losing manners nowadays, one respondent says children nowadays are too much into this modern world. Even in schools they have not been taught about manners and discipline seems like its been forgotten because the emphasis is too much on the books’ topics. Parents and teachers are to be blamed because they have failed to inculcate manners into the children’s education.
According to another respondent, Â kids nowadays are more rude than their parents when they were kids. Kids growing up in the old days were subject to a more strict discipline from their parents. Nowadays, it’s even rare to see children saying basic expressions like “sorry” and “thank you”.
Here are some examples showing they lack manners, reflecting the moral standard of young generation kids:
- They are less likely to say hello or give salam to neighbours or open the door for the elderly.
- Neighbours were ignored and the communication level remains as impersonal.
- Youngsters are less willing to give up their seat on public transport for a pregnant woman and less likely to offer it to an elderly passenger.
- Unwilling to knock at a door and give salam at friends house. Instead, they prefer to call their friend and asked them to come out.
Psychiatrist, Dr. Clive Sherlock, said the changes in behaviour were evidence of society becoming more selfish and a lack of respect. He further noticed that people now are showing more concerns for themselves and less concerns for other people. They are much more towards material gains and do not bother with the people who live next door or who you meet on the street.
Others believe that the lack of manners among youngsters started at home when they do not get enough attention from their parents who are busy with work  to provide economic supports to the family. Some believe they too are lacking in parental skills.
Despite the above development, it would not be fair to categorise all children and youth as bad and lacking in manners because there are still those who are well-mannered, proving that it is still possible to develop these delightful characteristics.
Every problem has a solution and every solution existed in the religions teaching. Islam places great emphasis on manners and on the proper way to deal with others, whether they are Muslims or not.
Relations between people are very important in Islam, and maintaining good relations with others should be the priority of a practicing Muslim.
In fact, Islam teaches what Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) said: “I have been sent to perfect the best of manners”. He summarised the goal of his entire message into the perfection of the best of manners.
One book that attracts my attention for which I would share and  recommend reading is “Islamic Manners” by Shaykh Abdul al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah.
The author, Shaykh Abdul al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah is an outstanding scholar of the 20th century. He was a leading scholar in the field of hadith and has strived in not only narrating Prophetic traditions but also in making them a living reality.
“Islamic Manners” is a vital book that shows the sublime Islamic personality. It focuses on adab or manners and covers the following areas: scope of Islamic manners, importance of appearance, entering and leaving a house, manners of visiting, manners of conversation, social manners, communicating with non-Muslims, manners of eating, weddings, visiting the sick, and condolences.
This book is awesome to the limit. It is best for the young generation, parents and teachers. I would recommend you to read it now during this blessed month and beyond.
Eid Fitri is coming over and its become our tradition to visit our family members, relatives and friends houses. By reading this book, we would know how important our actions are.
This book has, indeed, increased my love of Islam and the beauty that the prophet Muhammad bestowed on the earth. I hope you too would find this book equally interesting.
Sources from The Premier Online Debate, DailymailUK & Goodreads.
Photo courtesy of Tofugu & Goodreads.