“The religion is all character: whoever surpasses you in character surpasses you in religion.”

The line opens Ibn al-Qayyim’s chapter on good character in Madarij as-Salikin, and the definitions he collects right after it are as concrete as the claim: good character is generosity, holding back harm, and bearing the harm of others. It sums up something the Sunnah states outright — the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that nothing is heavier on the scale than good character.