Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ This hadith makes clear the importance of the rights of people (huquq al-‘ibad), showing how essential it is to fulfill them. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam described the standard of goodness as fulfilling both the rights of Allah and the rights of people. If a person is diligent in fulfilling Allah’s rights but harms others—especially if neighbors are troubled by him—then do not be deceived by his prayers, fasting, and charity. In the sight of Allah, it is not piety to be committed to something whose omission is permissible, while neglecting something whose omission is forbidden and obligatory. This is like earning wealth through unlawful means and then giving it in charity. Such a person, though outwardly religious, is in reality devoid of goodness.

➋ Harming and troubling neighbors is a major sin (kabirah) that leads to Hellfire, yet unfortunately, the majority of people are involved in it. In another hadith, those who pray but harm others and violate the rights of people are described as the bankrupt (muflis) of this ummah. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
((“Do you know who the bankrupt is?” They said: The bankrupt among us is the one who has neither dirham nor goods. He said: “Indeed, the bankrupt of my ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting, and zakat, but he will have abused this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one, and beaten this one. So this one and that one will be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds run out before justice is done, their sins will be taken and cast upon him, then he will be thrown into the Fire.”)) (Sahih Muslim, al-Birr wa al-Silah, Chapter: The Prohibition of Oppression, Hadith: 2581)
“Do you know who the bankrupt is?” The Companions radi Allahu anhum replied: We consider the bankrupt to be the one who has neither dirham nor goods. He said: “Indeed, the bankrupt of my ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting, and zakat, but he will have abused this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one, and beaten this one. Then some of his good deeds will be given to this one and some to that one. If his good deeds are exhausted before justice is done, the sins of those he wronged will be cast upon him, and then he will be thrown into Hellfire.”
In another hadith, the true Muslim is described as the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe. (Bukhari: 10)

➌ The commands of Allah are of two types: (1) Obligations (ma’murat)—those which are commanded to be done; (2) Prohibitions (manhiyyat)—those which are commanded to be avoided. Acting upon obligations will only be beneficial when one refrains from prohibitions; otherwise, acts of obedience will be nullified by committing prohibitions, as is evident from the hadith.

➍ The second woman, whom the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam declared to be of Paradise, was, in fact, lesser in performing obligations than the first woman, as she only fulfilled the obligatory acts. However, she did not commit prohibitions. It is thus understood that, for attaining Paradise, it is necessary to avoid prohibitions. One must not harm the servants of Allah, especially neighbors, otherwise good deeds will be wasted. According to one hadith, refraining from harming others is itself a good deed.