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