Character is not only the face in the mirror, but the real person
behind the face. Character evolves from conscience; is sustained by
conscience and is developed; piece by piece, with every thought, with every
choice, and maintained with consistency and determination. The pursuance
of piety begins by making our reputation a reflection of our character.
In many people, reputation precedes character and there is a
distinction to be made...

Reputation is what you lead others to believe you are, character is
what you really are -

Reputation may be reflected in the combination of your name and your
image, character is the essence of your being.

Reputation is the wrapping, character the content -

Reputation is the outer reflection, character the inner reality -

Reputation is made in a moment, character is built in a life time -

Reputation may be reflected in what people write about you on your
tombstone, character is what angels report about you to Allah -

Changing bad habits

The renowned philosopher, Aristotle, once said; " You are what you
repeatedly do ". Habits are conditioned responses, formed through
repetition, until the actions or reactions become second nature; they end up as
unconscious behavior, automatic reactions in a particular situation;
(e.g. The way you sign your name, the reprehensible habit of cigarette
smoking after a meal...)

It was the English writer, Shakespeare, who said; " First we make our
habits, then our habits make us ". Thinking in a particular pattern
creates a mental path, the mental path affects our attitude and our
behavior, and these reflect our personality and character. In other words, our
thoughts affect our attitude which affect our actions which determine
our habits which reflects our character which could determines our
destiny. The Roman poet Naso Ovid rightly said, " habits eventually become
character ".

Virtues and vices

According to Islam, habits are classified as virtues or vices, as
repeated actions that are in conformity with or contrary to the rules of
morality. Virtuous character emanates from good habits and good habits
emanate from resisting negative temptations. Good habits, unfortunately,
seem so much easier to give up than bad habits.

Bad habits are like a comfortable bed; easy to get into but difficult
to get out. The chain of bad habits are generally too light to be felt
until they are too strong to be broken. Remember though, that every
habit; whether good or bad, is acquired and can be developed or disowned.
Habits decrease or disappear by abstaining from exercising them and then
replacing them. In the words of Roman orator, Cicero, " consuetudo
consuetudine vincitur = habit is overcome/ conquered by habit. Ramadan is
an ideal training period for filtering out bad habits, developing
virtuous character and is thus referred to by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a
shield against evil and wrongfulness. We are obligated to nurture our
noble qualities; control our passions, our anger and emotions. We are
instructed to be considerate, generous and compassionate.

Moral improvement and spiritual rejuvenation

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) referred to Ramadan as a blessed month in which
Allah has made fasting obligatory on those who are able; whosoever
denies himself of the benefits of that month denies himself many virtues.
As we undertake the physical duty and spiritual responsibility of
fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan, we reflect on the words of our
beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who said that the practice of faith will not
be correct unless actions are correct and actions will not be
considered correct unless the heart is correct.