أَكْمَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِيمَانًا أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقًا
"The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in character."
Take the New and Improved Traditional Islamic
Inventory of Virtues and Vices
Discover your virtues and vices & contribute to the field of Islamic Psychology!
Take The TestDiscover Your Virtues and Vices!
You can measure your character profile and better understand your strengths and weakness rooted in Islamic values and principles.
Contribute to Islamic Psychology!
You will contribute to the scientific validation of new instrument in order to enrich the contemporary Islamic psychological literature.
Importance of Character Development and
Virtue Acquisition
Character development is an essential element and goal of Islam.
I have been sent to perfect good character
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Bukhari - Adab al-Mufrad)
The most beloved to me and closest to me on the day of judgement are those who have the best of character
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Tirmidhi)
Key Benefits
Modern psychology confirms that virtues are essential for a flourishing life. Research shows that cultivating character strengths directly leads to better physical health, resilience, and lasting happiness.
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Boosts Happiness: Virtues like hope, gratitude, and love are proven predictors of high life satisfaction.
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Improves Health: Traits like optimism are linked to stronger immunity, better sleep, and longevity.
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Builds Resilience: Character strengths act as a psychological buffer against stress and anxiety.
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Strengthens Relationships: Forgiveness and kindness are the primary drivers of connection and trust.
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Drives Success: Perseverance ("grit") is often a better predictor of long-term achievement than IQ.
Read How the Inventory Was Developed
The TIIV-S is a revised version of the Traditional Islamic Inventory of Virtues (TIIV) that was developed by drawing from the 14th century classification of Islamic virtues found in the al-akhlāq al-'aḍudīyyah along with the commentary by Taşköprüzade, an Ottoman scholar. The TIIV-S provides an aggregation of many of the sub-virtues and vices of al-Ījī due to the degree of overlap between them, makes minor linguistic revisions and adds a few new sub-virtues.
The definitions of each of the sub-virtues and vices are constructed by drawing upon numerous sources in the Islamic tradition while still relying mostly on al-Ījī. The process of aggregation and revision has produced five major virtues with 31 sub-virtues.
Brief Description Of Virtues And Vices
Wisdom (ḥikmah)
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Reason
jawdah al-Fahm wa al-Taṣawwur
The ability to use reason, process information logically, and demonstrate critical thinking.
Deficient Irrational Excessive Over-analytical -
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Pursuit of Learning
ihtimām bi al-Taʿllum
The continuous engagement in activities of learning and pursuit of knowledge acquisition.
Deficient Intellectual Complacency Excessive Compulsive Learning -
Love of Learning
hubb al-Taʿllum
The adoration for learning and value for the acquisition of knowledge.
Deficient Intellectual Apathy Excessive Obsessive Learning -
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Open Mindedness
tafattuḥ al-Dhihn
The absence of intellectual stubbornness and possessing an openness to truth.
Deficient Closed-Mindedness Excessive Indiscriminate Acceptance
Valor (Shajāʿah)
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Agreeableness
muwāfaqa
Being amenable to others preferences in social contexts and a willingness to give up their wishes for others in trivial or worldly thingsDeficient Inflexibility Excessive Overaccommodating -
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Affection
al-tawaddud
Seeking and giving affection to othersDeficient Unaffectionate Excessive Smothering -
Compassion
riqqa
Having a soft heart, a feeling of sympathy for the painful experiences of others leading them to displays of forgiveness, tolerance and benevolenceDeficient Ruthlessness Excessive Pushover -
Forbearance
ḥilm
The ability to restrain one’s anger and overlook the faults of others. Also, to refrain from the execution of retribution and to respond to evil with goodnessDeficient Irascibility Excessive Passivity -
Courage
najda
Display of appropriate assertiveness in order to protect individual rights and responding with bravery to circumstances that demand a firm responseDeficient Cowardice Excessive Recklessness
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Humility
tawāẓu
Having a modest or moderate view of one's self-importance and having no traces of arrogance in their social dealingsDeficient Arrogance Excessive Self-debasement -
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Protectiveness
ḥamiyya
Described as the possession of an adaptive feeling of anger and accompanying assertive response to threats to that which is sacredDeficient Dishonor Excessive Fanaticism -
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Perseverance
ʿuluw al-himmah
Ability to generate the will power and endurance to bear difficult tasks over a long period of timeDeficient Laziness Excessive Workaholism -
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Good Opinion of Others
ḥusn al-dhan
The ability to look at the positive qualities of individuals, to depersonalize any offenses committed against them and maintain an overall positive interpretation of others behaviorDeficient Cynicism Excessive Naïveté
Temperance (ʿIffah)
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Orderliness
Intiẓām
The prioritization of matters and to rank order them according to their potential for good outcomes (maṣaliḥ).
Deficient Disorganization Excessive Compulsive Orderliness -
Generosity
sakhāʾ
As giving freely to others without expecting anything in return.
Deficient Stinginess Excessive Extravagance -
Contentment
Qanāʿah
The process of being satisfied with the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them without yearning for more.
Deficient Materialism Excessive Indifference -
Civility
muruʾah
Abstaining from uncivilized or lowly behavior in consideration of one’s social context and norms.
Deficient Incivility Excessive Excessive Formality
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Modesty
ḥayaʾ
A feeling of being too ashamed to partake in actions that are deemed sinful or unethical.
Deficient Impudence Excessive Withdrawal -
Gratitude
Shukr
Being thankful and showing appreciation for the blessings that one possesses.
Deficient Ingratitude Excessive Flattery -
Self-Control
habs al-nafs
The exercise of willpower to restrain one’s appetitive drives and sensual desires.
Deficient Impulsivity Excessive Rigidity
Justice (ʿAdālah)
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Preserving Kinship
Silat al-rahm
Maintaining the bonds of kinship and close friendship
Deficient Severing Ties Excessive Tribalism -
Loyalty
wafāʾ
A commitment to fulfilling the needs of others and upholding one’s oaths and contracts
Deficient Disloyalty Excessive Blind Allegiance -
Honesty
Ṣidq
Being able to remain honest and trustworthy in one’s social dealings
Deficient Dishonesty Excessive Bluntness -
Rectification
Islāḥ
Fulfilling one’s civic duty to uphold the good and prohibit evil in society (ʾamr bi al-mʿarūf wa nahy ʿan al-munkar) and reconciling social conflicts between people
Deficient Bystanderism Excessive Moral Policing -
Upholding Justice
Nuṣrah
Undergoing personal risks and sacrifices in order to uphold social justice and to struggle against the oppression and wrongdoings of others
Deficient Complicity Excessive Zealotry
Spirituality
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Contemplation
Tafakkur
The reflection upon the creation of the heavens and the earth leading to seeing the greater purpose of life that motivates an individual to live in a more meaningful way
Deficient Heedlessness Excessive Rumination -
Worship
ʿIbadah
Is defined as ‘a demonstration of servitude and submission to Allah through religious rituals and good deeds’
Deficient Religious Negligence Excessive Monasticism -
Reliance on Allah
Tawakkul
Is described as ‘having complete trust in Allah. And to exert all the means available to them in hopes of achieving a positive outcome while realizing that the ultimate outcome comes from Allah alone
Deficient Self-Reliance Excessive Delusional Reliance -
Contentment
Riḍā
Allah’s decree’ is defined as ‘a complete satisfaction with the decree of Allah believing that whatever He has willed for His slave is best for him’
Deficient Discontentment Excessive Resignation -
Religious Vigilance
Waraʿ
A continuous consciousness of the presence of Allah, believing that none of their behaviors nor inner thoughts can be concealed from Him
Deficient Permissiveness Excessive Obsessive Religiosity (Waswasa)
Wisdom (ḥikmah)
Reason (Jawdah al-Fahm wa al-Taṣawwur) - the ability to use reason, process information logically, and demonstrate critical thinking
Pursuit of Learning (ihtimām bi al-taʿllum) - the continuous engagement in activities of learning and pursuit of knowledge acquisition
Love of learning (ḥubb al-taʿllum) - the adoration for learning and value for the acquisition of knowledge
Open mindedness (tafattuḥ al-dhihn) - the absence of intellectual stubbornness and possessing an openness to truth.
Valor (Shajāʿah)
Agreeableness (muwāfaqa) -being amenable to others preferences in social contexts and a willingness to give up their wishes for others in trivial or worldly things
Seeking & Drawing affection (al-tawaddud) - seeking and giving affection to others.
Compassion (riqqa) - having a soft heart, a feeling of sympathy for the painful experiences of others leading them to displays of forgiveness, tolerance and benevolence
Forbearance (ḥilm) - the ability to restrain one’s anger and overlook the faults of others. Also, to refrain from the execution of retribution and to respond to evil with goodness
Courage (najda) - display of appropriate assertiveness in order to protect individual rights and responding with bravery to circumstances that demand a firm response
Humility (tawāẓu) - having a modest or moderate view of one's self-importance and having no traces of arrogance in their social dealings
Protectiveness (ḥamiyya) - described as the possession of an adaptive feeling of anger and accompanying assertive response to threats to that which is sacred
Perseverance (ʿuluw al-himmah) - ability to generate the will power and endurance to bear difficult tasks over a long period of time
Good Opinion of Others (ḥusn al-dhan) - the ability to look at the positive qualities of individuals, to depersonalize any offenses committed against them and maintain an overall positive interpretation of others behavior.
Patience (ṣabr) - the ability to endure the challenges associated with undertaking a difficult task and waiting calmly for the outcomes to come to fruition
Temperance (ʿIffah)
Modesty (ḥayaʾ) - a feeling of being too ashamed to partake in actions that are deemed sinful or unethical
Gratitude’ (Shukr) - being thankful and showing appreciation for the blessings that one possesses
Self-Control (habs al-nafs) - “the exercise of willpower to restrain one’s appetitive drives and sensual desires”.
Orderliness (Intiẓām) – the prioritization of matters and to rank order them according to their potential for good outcomes (maṣaliḥ)
Generosity (sakhāʾ) - as giving freely to others without expecting anything in return’
Contentment (Qanāʿah) - the process of being satisfied with the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them without yearning for more
Civility (muruʾah) - abstaining from uncivilized or lowly behavior in consideration of one’s social context and norms
Justice (ʿAdālah)
Preserving Kinship (Silat al-rahm) - maintaining the bonds of kinship and close friendship
Loyalty (wafāʾ) - a commitment to fulfilling the needs of others and upholding one’s oaths and contracts
Honesty (Ṣidq) - being able to remain honest and trustworthy in one’s social dealings’
Rectification (Islāḥ) - fulfilling one’s civic duty to uphold the good and prohibit evil in society (ʾamr bi al-mʿarūf wa nahy ʿan al-munkar) and reconciling social conflicts between people
Upholding Justice - undergoing personal risks and sacrifices in order to uphold social justice and to struggle against the oppression and wrongdoings of others
Spirituality
Contemplation (Tafakkur) - the reflection upon the creation of the heavens and the earth leading to seeing the greater purpose of life that motivates an individual to live in a more meaningful way.
Worship (ʿIbadah) - is defined as ‘a demonstration of servitude and submission to Allah through religious rituals and good deeds’
Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) - is described as ‘having complete trust in Allah. And to exert all the means available to them in hopes of achieving a positive outcome while realizing that the ultimate outcome comes from Allah alone
‘Contentment (Riḍā) - Allah’s decree’ is defined as ‘a complete satisfaction with the decree of Allah believing that whatever He has willed for His slave is best for him’
Religious Vigilance (waraʿ) - a continuous consciousness of the presence of Allah, believing that none of their behaviors nor inner thoughts can be concealed from Him
