Rights in ISLAM

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE TREATISE OF HAZRAT MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THANWI (R.A.) TITLED “HUQOOQUL-ISLAM” (RIGHTS OF ISLAM):

�In the book At-targheeb wat-Tarheeb of Imam Asfahaani, a hadith of Hazrat Ali radhiyallahu anhuis narrated wherein the following general rights to be observe mutually among all Muslims are enlisted:

§  Forgive the mistakes of another Muslim.

§  Show sympathy over his grief.

§  Hide his faults.

§  Accept his excuse.

§  Remove his difficulty.

§  Always wish for his well-being.

§  Safeguard his love.

§  Have respect for his pacts.

§  Visit him when he is ill.

§  Attend his funeral.

§  Accept his invitation.

§  Accept his gifts.

§  Repay his kindness.

§  Thank him for his favours.

§  Help him at the time of need.

§  Protect his wife and children.

§  Fulfill his needs.

§  Listen to his requests.

§  Accept his intercession.

§  Do not make him despondent in his ambitions.

§  Say Yarhamukallah upon hearing him say Al-Hamdu-lillah after sneezing.

§  Return his lost property.

§  Reply his greeting (Salaam).

§  Speak to him kindly and courteously.

§  Treat him kindly.

§  If one Muslim takes an oath on the strength of the other, it should be honoured by the other.

§  Help him when he is oppressed, and stop him when he oppresses others.

§  Be his friend, not his enemy.

§  Do not disgrace him.

§  Love for him what you love for yourself.

§  Greet him (with salaam) when meeting, and, better still, shake his hands.

§  Never break off ties for more than three days if an argument arises.

§  Do not be suspicious of him.

§  Do not be jealous of him nor bear enmity towards him.

§  Where possible observe amar bil ma�roof and nahi anil munkar (to command good and prohibit evil) towards the next Muslim.

§  Have mercy on the little ones and respect the elders.

§  Create peace between two Muslims whom have had an argument.

§  Do not backbite another Muslim.

§  Do not cause harm to his body, wealth or honour.

§  Help him mount his animal or load his goods on to it when he is unable to do so.

§  Do not ask him to leave and then take his place.

§  Two people should not speak in whispers while a third is in their presence.