It Starts With the Heart: Manners, Faith & Character

“Manners maketh man.” It’s a phrase we hear so often, but have we ever paused to wonder where good manners truly begin? To embody kindness, humility, and patience, one must first start from within—from the state of our hearts, our intentions, and the sincerity of our faith. At “The Faith Conference” we supported recently, this powerful message echoed through every session. Over two enlightening days, we were reminded that Islam isn’t just about rituals. It’s about character. And character starts with the heart.

This past weekend, Tertib Publishing had the pleasure of being part of “The Faith Conference”, a gathering of seekers, believers, and learners featuring beloved speakers like Mufti Menk, Dr. Muhammad Salah, and Shaykh Wael Ibrahim. From powerful reminders about sincerity and inner healing to thought-provoking lessons on how manners complete our faith, the conference reminded us what it truly means to live as a believer.

As always, our goal at Tertib Publishing isn’t just to sell books; it’s to connect hearts to knowledge. So, here we are, sharing highlights of the events for those who missed it or want to relive those moments of clarity and calm once more.

On the first day, the speakers delved deep into the spiritual reality of the heart. Citing a hadith: 

An-Nu’man bin Bashir (r.a.) reported:

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said, “Verily, there is a piece of flesh in the body, if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart.”
(Riyad as-Salihin 587)

However, in today’s world, the heart is constantly exposed to trials and temptations. Each slip, each moment of neglect. Leaves a mark, a black dot, on the heart, dimming the light of our faith. 

We were reminded that there’s no point in bragging about our ibadah if we don’t know whether they’re accepted. We may have prayed, fasted, or even gone for Hajj multiple times. But only Allah (s.w.t.) knows what was truly sincere. And in the end, sincerity is the heart’s domain.

True transformation begins when we consistently seek Allah’s (s.w.t.) forgiveness, not just for ourselves, but for our families too. The session urged us to return to Allah (s.w.t.) when we feel lost because His mercy always outweighs our sins. Sometimes we felt like our sins were too much, too unbearable to be forgiven. But Mufti Menk highlighted an ayah from Surah Az-Zumar:

Say, O Prophet, that Allah says, “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

(Surah Az-Zumar, 39:53)

Even in dealing with others, the heart plays a crucial role. Holding onto grudges and hatred? That’s where the real battle lies. Purifying the heart from jealousy, resentment, and toxic relationships takes more strength than many outward acts of worship. Some people are so toxic that it is better for us to keep our distance from them. But remember to do so with grace.

Above all, sincerity, hope, and belief in Allah’s (s.w.t.) mercy were emphasised. Even if you’ve faltered, never despair. Return to Him with remorse, without justification.

If Day 1 taught us to cleanse and nourish our hearts and souls, Day 2 showed us how that inner light must reflect outwardly. Faith, when perfected, shows in one’s character. The Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) wasn’t chosen because of status or wealth but because of his character. His trustworthiness, his compassion, his humility. 

Shaykh Wael Ibrahim reminded us that Islam begins with belief, but it doesn’t end there. Belief leads to action, and action shapes character. And that character will show through our interactions with others—through honesty, modesty, kindness and dignity.

You cannot have terrible manners and claim strong worship. Nor can you perfect your ibadah but mistreat others. A simple example? Backbiting. Even if what we say is true, if it would hurt the person, it’s still backbiting. And with every hurtful word, we risk losing our good deeds. That’s how easily we can slip. But we were also reminded of the hope in Islam. Sometimes, when you’re at your lowest, a single act of kindness can erase your entire history of sins.

Islam beautifully balances acts of worship and acts of kindness. Salah and fasting benefit us. But helping others, giving charity, and feeding the poor? Those deeds have extended benefits. They please Allah (s.w.t.) and uplift our communities. That’s why extended acts of goodness hold such weight in His sight. 

This session served as a much-needed reset. Because in the noise of daily life, it’s easy to think of ibadah only as rituals. But Islam is holistic. It shapes how we treat people, how we handle conflict, and how we purify our inner world.

We at Tertib Publishing were truly honoured to be part of this impactful event. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, supported us, and brought home books to nurture both heart and mind. Whether you came for our exclusive discounts, book signings, or just a kind conversation, your presence meant the world to us.

Missed out on the chance to grab the speakers’ books last weekend? Don’t worry! You can still get them this week at our booth at the Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (PBAKL) 2025 starting this Friday! Come say hi, browse our latest titles, and enjoy exclusive event promos on books that’ll stay with you, just like the lessons we took home from “The Faith Conference”.

See you there!