What are my duties and obligations towards another Muslim?
The religion of Islam provides principles for all aspects of
a person’s life. In order to have a mutually respectful society, it is
necessary to know the rights that people have over each other.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: “And worship Allah, and do not
associate anyone with Him and do good to parents, and to relatives and orphans,
and the needy, and the near neighbour and the distant neighbour and the
companion of your side and the wayfarer and to your male and female servants.
Undoubtedly, Allah loves not the proud, boastful.” (Surah Nisaa Verse
36). From this, we learn our obligations to our parents, our family, the needy,
neighbors and travellers.
The six obligations of a Muslim to another Muslim were
clearly stated in the Hadith of Prophet (peace and blessings upon him). He
(PBUH) said: “A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim. When you meet him,
greet him; when he invites you, accept his invitation; when he seeks goodness
from you, give it to him; when he sneezes, say ‘Yarhamuk Allah’; when he is
sick, visit him and when he dies, attend his funeral.” (Muslim Shareef Vol 2
Page 213). Let’s look at these in detail.
1.
The duty of a Muslim is to cheerfully greet his
brother when he meets him. This is an important and excellent behavior as
mentioned in the holy Qur’an.
Allah says: “And when those who believe in
our signs come to you then say to them, ’Peace be upon you’ …..”(Surah An’aam
verse 54). Greeting creates love amongst people. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “You
will not enter Paradise until you become believers and you cannot become
believers until you love one another. Should I not make you aware of a deed
which if you act upon will create love amongst you? Listen! Spread peace in
abundance.”(Narrated by Abu Huraira)
2. The
second duty of a Muslim is to accept the invitation of his Muslim brethren. The
narration says that when the Prophet (PBUH) saw some women and children
returning from attending a wedding and he stood up in delight and said: “Allah
is my witness that you are the most beloved to me amongst all the people”
(narrated by Hazrat Anas RA, Bukhari)
3. Thirdly,
a Muslim should always wish well for his brother. The holy Quran makes mention
of this in Surah Hujurat verse 10. Allah says: “Muslims are brothers,
therefore make peace between the two brothers and fear Allah that mercy may be
shown to you”. Wishing well for each other is true faith and without it,
our faith is lacking. A hadith concerning this states: “You cannot be a true believer
until you do not desire for your Muslim brother what you desire for yourself.”(Bukhari
and Muslim).
4. It
is also the duty of a Muslim that when his brother sneezes, he should say,
‘Yarhamuk Allah’ (May Allah have mercy on you).
5. The
fifth duty of a Muslim is that when his brother is sick, he should visit him.
It is Sunnah to comfort the sick person and pray for him. The Prophet (PBUH)
said: “If a person visits a sick person in the morning, seventy thousand
angels supplicate for him until in the evening. And if he visits the sick
person in the evening, seventy thousand angels supplicate for him until the
following morning.”(Tirimidhi)
6. Lastly,
a Muslim should attend the funeral of his brother when he passes. Death is an
inevitable end and as such, when a Muslim dies, we must act upon the Sunnah. In
this light, the Prophet (PBUH) urged that Muslims hasten to attend funerals as
there lies great reward.
Knowing our rights and responsibilities will enable
believers to create a harmonious and peaceful society and also prepare us for
the meeting with the Creator. Let us strive hard in every possible way to
achieve the pleasure of Allah (SWT).
What are my duties and obligations towards my
parents?
There are many ways in which one can show parents kindness and respect, paying them a visit is one of
the forms of dutifulness towards parents, in addition to treating
them well, addressing them politely, trying to humble oneself before them,
giving them gifts, and so on.
In his reply to your question, Sheikh Muhammad Saleh
Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Islamic Lecturer and author, states:
One of the main duties upon man is to show kindness towards
his parents because Allah the Almighty says: “Thy Lord has decreed, that you
worship none save Him, and (that you show) kindness to parents. If one of them
or both of them attain old age with thee, say not ‘Fie’ unto them nor repulse
them, but speak unto them a gracious word.” (Al-Isra’ 17:23)
One should show all kinds of good treatment to one’s parents. Ibn `Abbas (may
Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) was once asked about the best deeds: “The Messenger of Allah (peace
and blessings be upon him) says, ‘Having faith in Allah and His Messenger, then
honoring one’s parents.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Obeying and honoring one’s parents is a means of entering
Paradise. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “He is doomed, he is doomed, he
is doomed.” Then someone said, “Who, O Messenger of Allah?” He
said, “The person whose parents, one or both of them, reach old age during
his lifetime but he does not enter Paradise.” (Muslim)
Respecting and obeying one’s parents is a way of showing
gratitude to them for bringing one into this world.
So, a child has to show gratitude towards his parents for
rearing him and taking care of him when he was young.
Allah the Almighty says, “And We have enjoined upon man
concerning his parents. His mother bears him in weakness upon weakness, and his
weaning is in two years. Give thanks unto Me and unto thy parents. Unto Me is
the journeying.” (Luqman 31:14)
When a person gives his parents due regard, his own children
will do the same to him. Allah Almighty says, “Is there any reward for good
other than good?” (Ar-Rahman 55:60)
There are many ways in which one can show parents kindness
and respect, paying them a visit is one of the forms of dutifulness towards
parents, in addition to treating them well, addressing them politely, trying to
humble oneself before them, giving them gifts, and so on.
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