by Ammar Awais – Hiba magazine Team writer
Every individual possesses a set of dominant traits that collectively define his or her personality. Understanding our personality traits helps us better interpret our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It also enables us to deal constructively with difficult or emotionally challenging situations. In the same way, understanding the personality traits of others allows us to exercise greater empathy and compassion in our interactions with them.
In recent decades, psychologists have highlighted five major characteristics known as the “big five personality traits” which define our personalities.
These traits can easily be remembered using the acronym OCEAN: openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Let us discuss each of these traits in detail based on guidance from Islam.
- Openness
How open are you to new experiences and ideas? Are you generally eager to try something new or apprehensive around unfamiliar situations? The opposite of openness, in this context, is being cautious or disinclined towards new experiences and challenges. While caution and avoidance of risk may be necessary at times, openness is generally considered desirable since it is associated with other positive qualities such as higher creativity and imagination.
Islam supports the adoption of new ideas and attainment of personal growth through experience as long as they are Halal. For instance, at the time of the Battle of the Trench, when nearly the entire Arabia had gathered forces to attack Madinah, Salman Al-Farisi (rta) suggested digging a trench on one side of the city to keep out the enemy.
The Prophet ﷺ readily conveyed his openness to adopting this foreign war strategy, alien to Arabia. It played a decisive role in the defence of Madinah during the battle.
The following Hadith emphasizes the quality of a true believer to adapt to new situations and take on new challenges: “The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again…” (Bukhari)
- Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness refers to having a regard for what is right, and acting dutifully. It also implies being organized, goal-driven, and attentive to details. A person lacking in conscientiousness is typically careless and overly impulsive- such an individual also tends to procrastinate often.
Islam considers it an obligation of every believer to have a profound sense of right and wrong. In fact, the command in the Quran to “enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong” (Ale Imran 3:110) reinforces the importance of remaining vigilant and conscientious at all times.
The following words of the Prophet ﷺ further serve as an important reminder against procrastination and carelessness in daily life: “There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time.” (Bukhari)
- Extroversion
Extroversion implies a readiness to express yourself and engage with the world beyond. How well do you interact socially? Are you comfortable around people and willing to start new conversations or do you prefer to avoid gatherings? Extroversion is considered a socially desirable trait that enables an individual to form meaningful connections with others. However, it must not be confused with being boastful or self-obsessed, which are highly undesirable characteristics.
From an Islamic perspective, it is critical to maintain a balance between extrovert and introvert attitudes. Islam encourages us to talk less to avoid sinful or frivolous conversations. It also enjoins upon us to spend some time in solitude, worshipping Allah (swt) and contemplating His universe. However, Islam also attaches great value to our social interactions, with the Prophet ﷺ having spent considerable time around people and forming connections with them.
In fact, the Prophet ﷺ made it clear that socializing is preferred over staying aloof from people and not participating in their gatherings: “The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.” (Ibn Majah)
- Agreeableness
An agreeable person is kind, helpful, and likeable. Others find it easy to approach and trust such a person. In sharp contrast to an agreeable person is someone who does not care about how others feel, and manipulates them to achieve his or her personal aims.
The personality of the Prophet ﷺ beautifully covered various aspects of agreeableness. He was known as “the trustworthy one” even before prophet hood, while his generosity and helpful attitude endeared him to everyone.
Moreover, anyone could approach him without any hesitation. Anas Ibn Malik (rta) narrates: “Any of the female slaves of Madinah could take hold of the hand of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ and take him wherever she wished.” (Bukhari)
Most importantly, the trait of agreeableness is a safeguard against the Hellfire, as the Prophet ﷺ informed us: “Whoever is kind, affable, and easy-going, Allah will forbid him from entering Hellfire.” (Bayhaqi)
- Neuroticism
Neuroticism is associated with feelings of sadness, anxiety, and insecurity. While it is natural to have such feelings occasionally, a person high in neuroticism experiences them often, alongside frequent mood shifts and a tendency to complain much. Such an individual is contrasted with someone who is high in optimism, resilience, and emotional stability.
Islam encourages us to counter neuroticism with gratitude, contentment, and steadfastness in the face of difficulty. The Prophet ﷺ, despite facing mammoth challenges and encountering great tragedies in life, never lost faith in Allah’s (swt) promise of victory in the worldly life and His ultimate reward in the hereafter.
The following Hadith beautifully sums up the importance of adopting a positive and optimistic viewpoint in life:
“Strange are the ways of a believer, for there is good in every affair of his! And this is not the case with anyone except the believer, for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he expresses gratitude (to Allah); thus, there is good for him in it. And if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (i.e. patience), there is good for him in it.” (Muslim).
About author
