The Six Rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim in Islam
The bonds of faith that are meant to unite Muslims from all across the globe cannot be rivaled by any other affiliation. Allah says: “The believers are nothing else but brothers” (Quran 49:10). Whereas, ties of kinship can easily be cut off when one is consumed by greed. Marriages fall apart over jealousies or owing to material struggles. Brotherly relations crumble over inheritance and family business. Friendships break down for the most trivial of reasons. How can it be claimed that it is only the bonds of faith that keep afloat, come what may?
The example of the two tribes of Medina is hereby presented. The Aus and Khazraj tribes were at odds with each other before they embraced Islam. Endless conflicts that were passed on from generation to generation were a norm for them. And yet, once Allah SWT planted the seed of faith into their heart, and Islam entered it, all past enmity was soon forgotten. Together they came to be known as the Ansar (Helpers) and were at the forefront of every sacrifice made for the cause of Islam in its early stages. The bonds of faith that had united them endured until their very last breath.
Here is what the Almighty had to say about the bonds of faith:
“And He has united their (believers’) hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but God has united them. Certainly, He is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Quran 8:63)
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The six rights one Muslim has over another Muslim
The bonds of faith between believers are meant to culminate into unshakeable bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. Binding relationships that are not ruled via whims and desires, but by carefully outlined principles. Islam chalks out the six rights of civility and courtesy that one Muslim owes to another:
“Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim…. When you meet him, offer him greetings; when he invites you to a feast, accept it; when he seeks your sincere counsel, give it to him; when he sneezes and says, ‘Alhamdulillah,’ say, ‘May God show mercy to you’; when he falls ill, visit him; and when he dies, follow his funeral bier.” (Muslim)
· The first right is to welcome his Muslim brother with the Islamic greeting: ‘Assalamu alaikum’
· The second right is to accept an invitation extended by a Muslim brother to any halal event or gathering
· The third is to give advice whenever it is sought
· The fourth is to reply with ‘Yarhamukallah’ when a Muslim brother sneezes and says ‘Alhamdulillah’
· The fifth is to visit an ailing Muslim
· The sixth and final right is to attend the funeral prayer and funeral upon his death
This summarizes the six rights of a Muslim over another Muslim, which are to be considered an obligation to fulfill.
Muslims are the awliya of one another
Allah says:
“The believers, men, and women are awliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil…” (Quran 9:71)
This very telling verse clarifies that Allah wants an action-based concrete bonding between believers and not merely one that theoretical. Believers, both men, and women are to reach out to each other for help and support.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stated:
“The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of a body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches due to fever and sleeplessness.” (Muslim)
This profound hadith offers a most befitting analogy with respect to Muslims. Just like when one part of the human body experiences pain, the body as a whole is affected. The pain does not happen in isolation in a way that the rest of the body can be indifferent to it. That is why when someone has a headache, they find it hard to perform the simplest of tasks.
When a Muslim sees his Muslim brother in emotional, mental, physical, or financial hardship, he should not look the other way. He must instead feel his pain and distress as though it were his own. This brotherly compassion gives his brother the strength and patience he needs while waiting for relief.
Love for your Muslim brother what you love for yourself
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Bukhari)
This should be a Muslims attitude with his brother. Before giving him a gift, think whether it is something that he would have liked to receive. Before saying or doing something to him, assess if he would like that to be said and done to him. So on and so forth. Such an attitude will ensure that no injustice is done.
Exchanging gifts strengthens the bonds of faith and brotherhood
“Exchange gifts, and you will love one another.” (Suyooti)
Sharing is caring. Muslims should visit each other often and exchange halal gifts. Receiving a gift gladdens the heart and nurtures the brotherly relationship. A gift does not need to be expensive or extravagant as it is the thought behind it that counts. The brother should remember to say ‘Jazak’Allahu khayr’ in return for the gift.
Never harm your Muslim brother
Narrated Abu Hurairah (R.A):
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “The Muslim is the one from (the harm of) whose tongue and hand (other) Muslims are safe…” (Tirmidhi)
In addition to how one Muslim can benefit and support another, it is the commitment to do him no harm. There is no question of Muslim backbiting, slandering, or cursing his brother in faith. No verbal, physical or monetary harm is permissible. This self-restraint is from amongst the lofty attributes of a believer. This demonstrates how Islam prioritizes social cohesion.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stated:
“The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of a body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches due to fever and sleeplessness.” (Muslim)
This profound hadith offers a most befitting analogy with respect to Muslims. Just like when one part of the human body experiences pain, the body as a whole is affected. The pain does not happen in isolation in a way that the rest of the body can be indifferent to it. That is why when someone has a headache, they find it hard to perform the simplest of tasks.
When a Muslim sees his Muslim brother in emotional, mental, physical, or financial hardship, he should not look the other way. He must instead feel his pain and distress as though it were his own. This brotherly compassion gives his brother the strength and patience he needs while waiting for relief.
