Self-accounting is the path, and good character is its fruit. Whoever watches over and holds his soul to account will have his character set right. Whoever’s character is set right will have a heavy Scale and a seat close to the Messenger of God ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection.
First: Self-Accounting (Muḥāsabat al-Nafs)
Imam al-Ghazali made self-accounting one of the foundations of the journey to God. In Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, he cites the words of ʿUmar (may God be pleased with him): “Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account, and weigh yourselves before you are weighed.” Al-Ghazali sets this out in stages:
Setting conditions (Mushāraṭa): at the start of the day, the servant commits his soul to obedience and to avoiding sin. Vigilance (Murāqaba): he watches himself throughout his deeds, mindful that God sees him. Accounting (Muḥāsaba): at the end of the day, he reviews what he did and what he left undone. Correction and striving (Muʿāqaba and Mujāhada): he disciplines the soul for its shortcomings and pushes it toward greater effort.
In Bidāyat al-Hidāya, al-Ghazali advises the seeker to take account of himself before sleeping. He should look at what he gained and lost that day. If he finds good, he praises God. If he finds shortcomings, he seeks forgiveness and repents. And he should make this a habit he never abandons.
Imam al-Haddad affirms the same meaning in al-Risāla al-Muʿāwana. He urges the servant to set aside time to account for his words and deeds. He explains that neglecting self-accounting leads to a hardened heart and accumulating sins. Whoever takes account of himself in this world will find his reckoning lighter on the Day of Judgment.
Second: Good Character and Its Place in the Religion
Imam al-Ghazali states that good character is the quality of the Master of the Messengers and the finest deed of the truthful. It is half of the religion and the fruit of the striving of the God-fearing. He cites the Prophet’s words ﷺ: “I was only sent to perfect noble character,” and God’s description of His Prophet: “And indeed, you are of a magnificent character” (68:4). He explains that bad traits are deadly poisons that distance a person from God. Good traits are doors to the bliss of nearness to Him.
Imam al-Haddad counsels excellent conduct with people. This includes forbearance, humility, refraining from harm, bearing harm patiently, a cheerful face and kind speech. He recalls the Prophet’s words ﷺ: “Nothing is heavier on the Scale than good character.” For him, good character is the true measure of one’s worship. Whoever’s worship does not refine his character should question that worship.
Conclusion
Self-accounting is the path, and good character is its fruit. Whoever watches over and holds his soul to account will have his character set right. Whoever’s character is set right will have a heavy Scale and a seat close to the Messenger of God ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection.
Note: The ideas are drawn from al-Ghazali’s Bidāyat al-Hidāya and Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn and al-Haddad’s al-Risāla al-Muʿāwana, mostly in my own wording. If you plan to publish it, check the exact texts in the books themselves first.