There are people who judge and respect others only due to their noticeable...

There are people who judge and respect others only due to their noticeable, outward traits such as ones’ well-proportioned body; the beauty of another’s face; economic status; the types of clothing one wears; a person’s style of residence and other such visible traits that reflect one’s material status.

Thus, any classification which is based upon the merits and privileges mentioned leading to respect of the person, would prevent another person from mustering up the courage to speak about a person (that possesses these traits) since it would go against the imaginary character of the person (that they have conjured in their minds). However in a majority of instances, those people who do not posses the merits that were mentioned, are the ones who are made fun of.

The way of thinking and the method of judgement that a Muslim must employ are the exact opposite to what people who simply judge by seeing the apparent and material aspects do. In the teachings of Islam, the apparent and material aspect is not the scale or criteria used to judge who the better person is.

The people whose character is worthy of being respected are those whose soul and presence have been enlightened with the divine Nur (light) of Cognizance (Ma`rifah) of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and whose entire presence is the focus of the noble traits and etiquette and whose way of life is based on forgiveness and pardon.

Performing good deeds, showing mercy and compassion, nobility and generosity, humility and modesty, pleasantness and honesty, piety and refraining from sins, etc… are what make up such a person. By possessing such traits, a person raises his own worth and status and any type of speech or action that goes against such a person’s character or personality would be forbidden and not allowed to be spoken about him (according to the teachings of Islam).

Support from the Qur’an in Strengthening this Principle The part of this verse that states: ...عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا خَيْراً مِّنْهُمْ... “…perhaps it may be that they are better than you are…” proves to us why the Qur’an tells us it is forbidden to make fun of people who have true faith.

Seeing as to how people do not possess any knowledge of the heart, mind and spiritual thoughts of another person, a true human (who possesses faith and the righteous ethical traits) and one who is showing off look similar from the point of view of their physical appearance.