How should a Muslim behave in society?

As the finest example of humanity. A Muslim should live in such a way that goodness flows from him to everyone, because that is how the worth of his faith is recognised.

A Muslim should behave in society in such a way that people see in him the best a human being can be. This is not a side issue but the heart of his faith in daily life.

The first verse above calls Muslims the best people. But the verse also says why: they have been raised for the good of mankind, they enjoin what is good and forbid evil. This title of honour therefore comes with a condition. As long as good flows from Muslims to others, they deserve it. When they forget this task, they remain Muslims in name, but they are no longer the best.

The other verses show what this looks like in practice. One meets people with dignity and without arrogance. When someone is rude, one replies with peace. And kindness is not only for one’s family, but also for the neighbour who is a stranger, the colleague and the traveller.

This matters most where Muslims are a small minority. Neighbours often know little about Islam. They judge it by what they see in the few Muslims they know. Where a community is large, a few bad examples change little in how it is seen. Where it is small, every individual becomes a mirror of the whole. Bad behaviour then harms not only that person but the reputation of everyone.

That is why a kind, honest and helpful Muslim is the best answer to many prejudices.