Rights of 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 anhu is 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.

Source: Darul Uloom al-Islamiyya