Righteousness (2:177)

Righteousness Defined

2:177 Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.

2:177 defines righteous, but there are different attributes of righteous in other verses as well.

Three Categories of People (1) The Righteous

2:3 who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat),* and from our** provisions to them, they give to charity.

2:4 And they believe in what was revealed to you, and in what was revealed before you,* and with regard to the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain.

31:4 Who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and as regards the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain.

Traits of the Righteous

25:63 The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.

25:64 In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.

25:65 And they say, “Our Lord, spare us the agony of Hell; its retribution is horrendous.

25:66 “It is the worst abode; the worst destiny.”

25:67 When they give, they are neither extravagant nor stingy; they give in moderation.

25:68 They never implore beside GOD any other god, nor do they kill anyone – for GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. Nor do they commit adultery. Those who commit these offenses will have to pay.

25:69 Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated.

25:70 Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

25:71 Those who repent and lead a righteous life, GOD redeems them; a complete redemption. Additional Traits of the Righteous

25:72 They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it.

25:73 When reminded of their Lord’s revelations, they never react to them as if they were deaf and blind.

25:74 And they say, “Our Lord, let our spouses and children be a source of joy for us, and keep us in the forefront of the righteous.”

25:75 These are the ones who attain Paradise in return for their steadfastness; they are received therein with joyous greetings and peace.

25:76 Eternally they abide therein; what a beautiful destiny; what a beautiful abode .

Traits of the Believers

42:37 They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.

42:38 They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

42:39 When gross injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights.

42:40 Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust.

42:41 Certainly, those who stand up for their rights, when injustice befalls them, are not committing any error.

42:42 The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution.

42:43 Resorting to patience and forgiveness reflects a true strength of character.