Good Character [Akhlaq]
Data Ali Hujwiri [May Allah be pleased with him], explained that what Nuri meant was that akhlaq should not be thought of as simply good comportment or good character in an ordinary sense. Akhlaq as used by Sufis consists of virtuous behaviour that derives from the fact that the inner being of the Sufi has become cleansed and his or her heart has become purified. How such a Sufi behaves, then, is not so much the product of effort as it is the cresting of a wave, the origins of which is God. Data Ali Hujwiri [May Allah be pleased with him], in explaining Nuri’s remark went on to say;
If it [Tasawwuf] consisted of practices, it could be acquired by effort (mujahadat), and if it consisted of sciences, it could be gained by instruction (ta’allum but it is akhlaq and it is not acquired until you demand from yourself the requirements (hukm) of akhlaq, conform your actions to them, and do justice to them. The distinction between practices (rusum) and akhlaq is this, that practices are contrived (bi-takalluf) actions proceeding from particular motives (asbab), such that their “outer form” (zahir) is at variance with their “inner truth” (batin); they are actions devoid of essence (ma’na). Akhlaq, on the other hand, are non-contrived praiseworthy actions not proceeding from particular motives. Their outer form is in harmony with their inner truth; they are actions devoid of pretension.
