MATERNAL SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS: MATERNAL PIETY
by Siti Aishah Hassan [View Writer's Profile]

Abstract
This paper aims to propose the cardinal characteristic of Muslim mother. In this study the research method employed is library search of the Islamic literature. In order to propose the characteristic, Islamic perspectives of human nature. Then, it followed by Islamic perspectives of human personality and characteristic. Finally, this paper discusses maternal piety as the cardinal characteristic of Muslim mothers.

MATERNAL SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS (MSC)

Spirituality may mean different things to different groups of people and religions. In the context of Malaysia’s multi-racial and religiously diverse society, spirituality may find forms in a variety of different characteristics and practices. In this paper, spirituality is delimited to an Islamic framework only. Subsequently, the following sections discuss Islamic perspectives of human nature and spiritual dimension, Islamic perspectives of human personality and characteristic. Finally, the discussion links between Allport’s personality theory and maternal spiritual characteristic.

Islamic Perspectives of Human Nature and Spiritual Dimension

In his professorial inaugural lecture, Hassan Langgulung¹ explained that human being is of dual nature; non-material (mujarrad) and material (mÉddÊ). Human spirit (rËÍ) is non-material, which is from the realm of command (ÑÉlam al-amr). On the other hand, human body (jasad) is material, which is from the realm of creation (ÑÉlam al-khalq). Additionally, spirit is transcendent and is the centre of human being. The soul (nafs) is the intermediate between spirit and body. The nafs is attached downward the body for its corporeal (dunyawÊ) tendency. In contrast, the soul (nafs) is attached upward the spirit for its spiritual (ukhrawÊ) tendency.

Additionally, it is worth of note to understand the word insÉn. In Arabic Language, insÉn means human, which is derived from the Arabic verb anisa to be sociable. From that word came the words of InsÉniyyah means humanity and InsÉnÊ means humanitarian² . Accordingly, based on the previous work done by Hasan Langgulung³ and Ahmed M. Raba⁴ , a step further was then derived by Siti Aishah Hassan⁵ to explain the various human dimensions.

Islamic Perspectives of Human Personalities and Characteristics

The ultimate goal of Islam is the creation of personalities either at individual or social level that embodies peace with Allah s.w.t., society and nature. Islam asserts that correct conviction (imÉn) and good deeds ('amal) alone may not create such personalities or civilization. The motivation behind all convictions, thoughts and deeds has to be correct which is the conscious desire to serve Allah alone⁶ . Hence, the Islamic belief system i.e, Aqidah Islamiyyah does not only affect the behaviour but also the character of the individual. Character is the state of soul that produces consistent and spontaneous actions. The character is said to be good, when there is a state of soul that produces virtuous action. On the contrary, when the state of soul is such that is consistently and spontaneously produces evil actions, the character is termed evil or bad⁷.

Hujjatul Islam Imam Al-Ghazali, in his magnum opus Ihya' Ulumuddeen, The revival of religious knowledge, described good characteristics among them are, sincerity, patience, and truthfulness⁸. Accordingly, there are many Muslim writers who apply and extend these characteristics into other specific domains including family science.