By Anida Camdzic
A relationship in Islam is very important that it not only covers on how Muslims should behave and communicate with their Creator, it also covers how Muslims should socialize with fellow creations.
In dealing with the community at large or individual in any situation – be it among Muslims or not, the social guidelines are very clear. The guidelines are natural – giving society ethical guidelines in dealing with one another from the smallest unit of a family to the larger context of a nation.
No matter how diverse a community is, the social guidelines point to the creation of a society that promotes harmony and mutual respect – two qualities that are needed in today’s world.
Let’s take a look at how the Prophet ﷺ in one of his sound Hadeeth outlined the rights of a Muslim to another – a clear guideline of how a Muslim should act in a respectful manner with his her brother or sister:
حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ سِتٌّ: إِذَا لَقِيْتَهُ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ وَإِذَا دَعَاكَ فَأَجِبْهُ وَإِذَا اسْتَنْصَحَكَ فَانْصَحْهُ وَإِذَا عَطَسَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ فَسَمِّتْهُ وَإِذاَ مَرِضَ فَعُدْهُ وَإِذاَ مَاتَ فَاتْـبَعْهُ رَوَاهُ مُسلِم
The rights of a Muslim to another are six:
- When you meet one another, greet with salaam
- When you have been invited, attend to the invitation
- When he needs nasihah, counsel him
- When he sneezes and praises Allah, respond by saying “May Allah have Mercy on you” (YarhamukAllah)
- When he is sick, visit him
- And when he dies, follow his funeral
All the rights mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ promotes positive vibes between individuals and to the community at large, from the moment one meets until one could possibly depart in the case of a death.
- Greeting with Salaam to another is a noble and respectful act – a great start to a meeting or even a mere conversation between individuals. What more does one need than someone praying for you with peace and the blessing of Allah the moment you meet one another
- While the Hadeeth talks about the need to attend to an invitation, one needs to make sure that the invitation does not have any elements that are not permissible in Islam. For example, one shall not attend an invitation to a party that is filled with alcoholic drinks
- If a brother or a sister seeks consultation, as to whether he should do it or not, then advise him/her with that which you would like for yourself
- Responding with a prayer for your brother/sister to be under the Mercy of Allah is a show of Shukr to the person who had earlier glorified Allah when he/she sneezed
- Visiting the sick brings a lot of goodness. Sitting with them can cheer them up whilst at the same time one could possibly assist the family of the sick. Our visit would allow the family to take a break whilst we are with the sick
- To follow ones’ funeral is the ultimate respect. It is not only a mark of respect to the deceased but it is also a show of respect and honor to the family of the deceased. While he/she is no longer in this world, the relationship with his/her family shall continue
The six rights of a Muslim to another Muslim goes well with what Allah had mentioned in the Qur’an:
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
And help one another in good and Taqwa and do not help one another in sins and transgressions. (5:2)
May Allah make it easy for us to practice what has been outlined by Allah and His Prophet ﷺ in our effort to make the society we live a more harmonious and respectful one.
