The word Akhlaq is the plural for the word Khulq which means BEHAVIOUR.

 Our Behaviour is that ability (malakah) of the soul which is the source of all activities that we perform spontaneously without thinking about them. Malakah is a property of the soul which comes into existence through exercise and repetitive practice and is not easily destroyed.

A particular behaviour (malakah) may appear in us because of one of the following reasons:

• Natural and physical make up: It is observed that some people are patient while others are touchy and nervous. Some are easily disturbed and saddened while others show greater resistance and resilience.

• Habit: This is formed because of continual repetition of certain acts and leads to the emergence of a certain behaviour.
• Practice and conscious effort: If continued long enough will eventually lead to the formation of certain behaviour.

Even though the our physical make-up produces certain behaviour patterns in us, it is by no means true that we have no choice in the matter and are absolutely compelled to abide by the dictates of this physical make-up. On the contrary, since we have the power to choose, we can overcome the dictates of our physical nature through practice and effort, and can acquire the behaviours of our choice.

Of course, it should be admitted that those behaviour patterns caused by the mental faculties such as intelligence, memory, mental agility, and the like, are not alterable. All other behavioural patterns, however, may be changed according to our will.

We can control our anger and other emotions and desires, and channel them to improve and move ourselves along the path of perfection and wisdom.
When we speak of our ability to bring about changes in our behaviour, we do not mean that we should destroy our instincts of reproduction or self-preservation; because we could not exist without these instincts.

What we mean is that one should avoid going to either extremes in regard to them, and maintain a condition of balance and moderation so that we may perform our duties properly.

Just as the seed of a date grows into a fruitful tree through proper care, or a wild horse is trained to serve his master, or a dog is trained to be the lifelong friend and a help to man, so also can man attain perfection and wisdom through self-discipline and intelligent perseverance.

Human perfection has many levels. The greater the amount of self-discipline and effort on our part, the higher the level of perfection we would attain.
In other words, we stands between two extreme points, the lowest of which is below the level of beasts and the highest of which surpasses even the high station of angels.

Our movement between these two extremes is discussed by 'ilm al-akhlaq or the science of moral values. It is the goal of moral values to raise and guide us from the lowest animal state to that high position superior to that of the angels.

In a hadith from Imam Ali (A), he is related as saying:

"Surely God has characterized the angels by intellect without sexual desire and anger, and the animals with anger and desire without reason. He exalted man by bestowing upon him all of these qualities. Accordingly, if man's reason dominates his desire and ferocity, he rises to a station above that of the angels; because this station is attained by man in spite of the existence of hurdles which do not trouble the angels."