Akhlaq: the lived half of the religion
Islamic Studies · a self-paced course lesson
The Prophet ﷺ said nothing is heavier in the believer’s scales on the Day of Judgement than good character (reported by at-Tirmidhi, graded authentic), and summarised his own mission as being sent to perfect noble character. That places akhlaq not beside the pillars but as their OUTPUT: prayer that produces arrogance and fasting that produces temper have malfunctioned, and the Quran says so of prayer explicitly — it should restrain indecency (29:45).