Human personality is shaped by four fundamental factors: the innate tendencies of good and evil, inherited traits and inclinations, the influence of environment and circumstances, and the outcomes of education and upbringing. All these factors affect an individual even before they step into a life of consciousness. Nature and inheritance are innate; whereas environment, home and family etc. are received in childhood and education & training are received at adolescence. By the age of fifteen, when conscious life begins, a person realizes that their character and psychology have already been formed without their input.
At first glance, this may seem unfair, but in reality, it is a test. In this test, the primary tools at a person’s disposal are their intellect and willpower. These tools enable them to reshape their personality. It is with this intellect and willpower that humanity has conquered the earth and skies. With the help of these, humans travel to space, fly in the skies, explore the depths of the oceans, swim under water and walk faster than any other animal.
If a person desires, they can use their intellect and willpower to strengthen the innate goodness within them and overcome the negative influences of inheritance, instincts, environment, and circumstances. Based on intellect and willpower, complete transformation of one’s personality, psychology, preferences, biases and likes/dislikes can be seen in the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was sent to a society that was the epicenter of idolatry and polytheism. The house of Allah was a temple consisting of hundreds of idols, and these idols were the source of the people’s devotion and love. After inheriting centuries of war and conflict, this nation became a quarrelsome one, which, if it found no one else to fight, would turn on its own brothers and kin. This combination of environment and heritage, coupled with the education and training in poetry and oratory, became the pride of these people. In ancient times, polytheism was common, but these people proudly called polytheism their religion. While war and conflict occurred in every nation, this was the nation where war had become both its economy and its social structure.
Amidst this, the Prophet (peace be upon him) proclaimed the message of monotheism. He used logic, innate human nature, and reasoning to explain that only one God is worthy of worship and that everyone would be held accountable for their deeds on the Day of Judgment. Those whose hearts were touched by this message underwent not only a transformation in their lives but also a profound change in their personalities and psychology.
Those who were once slaves to idols became devoted to monotheism. Those who indulged in alcohol became disciplined individuals who could fast in the scorching heat. War and conflict, plunder, and feminine beauty were the themes of their poetry. Among them, a woman would throw gold and travel across all of Arabia, yet no one would dare to look at her.
The fiercely angry and the one who once raised his hand against his own sister, Umar, became the ruler of the world. Yet, there was a time when a woman would advise him in the middle of the marketplace, and he would bow his head and listen. On the day of Uhud, Abu Dujana, who tore through the enemy ranks with the sword of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), had such self-control that when a woman appeared before him, his sword stopped just before striking her. The companions of the Prophet (PBUH) are undoubtedly the greatest example of how intellect and willpower can transform a person’s psychology and character, making them something entirely different, no matter what their heritage, upbringing, or environment may have been.
Translated by Taqi Ahmed