What makes a Real Man in Islam

This is very saddening, in this vein I came up traits real men possess.

A Real man reads

A real man loves to read, he knows that just like the stomach needs to be regularly fed with food, your mind need to be regularly fed with knowledge. The mind is a muscle, it needs constant exercise, and one way the mind grows in its ability is through reading. Reading is food for the soul, for it nourishes the human intellect in probing things deeper, analysing things, and it provides guidance to people, to instances they have not yet been exposed to life.

A real man knows the importance of seeking knowledge and he knows without doubt that a God fearing soul is nurtured through sincere practice, an imagination watered with words, an enriched soul is fed with lots of good books! A real man doesn't stop seeking knowledge until his heart stops beating.

A Real man respects women

A real man respect women, he understands the verse of the Qur’an that states: "men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth (for the support of women)." (4:34)

This guardianship and greater financial responsibility given to men, requires that they provide women with not only monetary support but also physical protection, kind and respectful treatment.

A Real man does not beg

The prophet (saw) once said that it was better for a man to take a rope and gather some wood on his back to sell than to go out begging for money. A real man relies on his own sweat from hard work and God to provide for him. Rather than being a charity case, a real man gives to charity and good causes.

A Real man is merciful and compassionate

The prophet (saw) said: "deal gently with people, and be not harsh; cheer them and condemn not."

A real man is of exalted character and very compassionate, he is kind and considerate to all people, regardless of how they treated him, and even to animals and plants. He shows mercy to those below and above him. A real man recognizes that he's a man with an intellect, not an animal. He speaks softly and doesn't have to yell at the top of his lungs to be heard or get his point across. A real man isn't a stupid person either, just because he is merciful and compassionate doesn’t mean he's a floor mat that people can walk all over.

A Real man is patient and grateful

A real man practices patience, he knows that there is more honour and dignity in holding back. Raising his fists is the absolute last resort. The prophet (SAW) said, "he is not strong and powerful who throws people down, but he is strong who withholds himself from anger."

A real man doesn't whine, cry and complain when life isn't going his way, the term "why me?" is not in a real man's vocabulary. He is grateful for what he has no matter how big or how small.

A real man knows that he's constantly being tested and the decisions he makes will have either a negative or positive effect in the end when he's in front of his maker on the Day of Judgment. A real man only cries out in private to his lord and asks him for solace, forgiveness and comfort. A real man gives his best effort in anything he does and when life becomes difficult he takes solace in the verse that says "with hardship comes ease."

A Real man is a family man

The prophet (SAW) once said, "The best of you is the one who is best to his own family, and i am the best of you towards my family."

A real man recognizes the importance of family and does his utmost to be a contributing member of that family. A real man recognizes that his children are a blessing from Allah and treats them as such and brings them up to be upright human beings. A real man makes time for his family and does not neglect them because of work or his own personal dealings. A real man doesn't just take care of his immediate household but looks after his neighbours and extended family. A real man strives to be the best father, brother, neighbour, son, citizen and husband he can be and works hard daily to live up to being the best.

A Real man does not slander/backbite/gossip

"Most people that are in hellfire are in there because they couldn't control their tongue."

A real man keeps his mouth shut if he doesn't have anything nice to say. He understands that the careless use of the tongue can harm immediately or in the future. a real man doesn’t gossip about other people, or discuss things he doesn’t know about because he understand the verse in the Qur’an, that says god has given man "two lips and one tongue" so the lips can control the tongue. (surah al balad)

A Real man is neat and clean

Contrary to popular belief, a real man doesn't live in a mess. The sink isn't filled with dishes and his underwear isn't laying around. A real man does house chores, cleans, wash his clothes, and cook from time to time.  The prophet Muhammad (SAW) regularly did household work and did most of his own chores himself like fixing his shoes, doing his own laundry etc.Some men need to stop using manliness as an excuse, clean your place up, get your documents in order and clean up after yourself.

A Real man is a focused man

A real man who has knowledge, recognizes what is important and what is not. He realizes why he's here on this earth, that he is only here for a short time and that he has to do what he has to do to make sure he gets a ticket to paradise. A real man focuses on what's important: bettering himself, making a living for his family and preparing himself for the future. A real man lives by what the prophet(SAW) said: “live in this world as (if you are) a wayfarer or a stranger.” which in essence means not to get caught up by all the glitz and glamour of this world because it's temporary.

I know possessing all this requirements and qualities is not easy. However, these traits are not impossible to attain. All it takes is some effort. And to all women reading this, isn’t it time to bring back the real men?