Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman A‘zami رحمه الله
Chapter: The Rights of a Muslim Upon Another Muslim
«باب من حقوق المسلم على المسلم»
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The rights of one Muslim over another are five: returning the salām (greeting), visiting the sick, following the funeral procession, accepting invitations, and responding to a sneeze.”
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Bukhārī 1240, Muslim 2162]
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The rights of one Muslim over another are six.”
It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?”
He ﷺ said: “When you meet him, greet him with salām; when he invites you, respond to it; when he seeks your advice, advise him sincerely; when he sneezes and praises Allah, reply with a supplication; when he falls ill, visit him; and when he dies, attend his funeral.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2162]
✿ Narrated by ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him nor abandon him. Whoever fulfills the need of his brother, Allah will fulfill his need. Whoever relieves a Muslim of one of his hardships, Allah will relieve him of a hardship from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever conceals a Muslim’s fault, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Bukhārī 2442, Muslim 2580]
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do not envy one another, do not artificially inflate prices against one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another in trade. Be, O servants of Allah, brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not oppress him, abandon him, or look down upon him.
Righteousness is here,” and he pointed to his chest three times.
“It is enough evil for a man to hold his fellow Muslim in contempt. The entire Muslim is sacred to another Muslim—his blood, his wealth, and his honor.”
And in another narration:
“Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies or your appearances, but He looks at your hearts,” and he pointed to his chest with his fingers.
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Muslim 2564, Bukhārī 6066]
✿ Narrated by a Shaykh from Banū Sulayṭ:
He reported: I came to the Prophet ﷺ to speak regarding some prisoners from the time of Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era). He ﷺ was seated, surrounded by people. He was wearing a thick-bordered wrap. I heard him saying while pointing with his finger:
“A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him nor abandon him. Taqwā (piety) is here, taqwā is here,” and he was indicating the heart.
[Hasan: Aḥmad 16624]
① Mutual care, respect, and sincerity are obligatory between all Muslims.
② Islamic brotherhood protects rights, including life, honor, and property.
③ True piety lies in the heart, and should reflect in actions toward fellow Muslims.
Chapter: The Rights of a Muslim Upon Another Muslim
«باب من حقوق المسلم على المسلم»
✿ Five Basic Rights of a Muslim Over Another
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The rights of one Muslim over another are five: returning the salām (greeting), visiting the sick, following the funeral procession, accepting invitations, and responding to a sneeze.”
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Bukhārī 1240, Muslim 2162]
✿ Six Duties Among Muslims
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The rights of one Muslim over another are six.”
It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?”
He ﷺ said: “When you meet him, greet him with salām; when he invites you, respond to it; when he seeks your advice, advise him sincerely; when he sneezes and praises Allah, reply with a supplication; when he falls ill, visit him; and when he dies, attend his funeral.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2162]
✿ Brotherhood, Support, and Concealing Faults
✿ Narrated by ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him nor abandon him. Whoever fulfills the need of his brother, Allah will fulfill his need. Whoever relieves a Muslim of one of his hardships, Allah will relieve him of a hardship from the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever conceals a Muslim’s fault, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Bukhārī 2442, Muslim 2580]
✿ Warnings Against Division and the Honor of Muslims
✿ Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Do not envy one another, do not artificially inflate prices against one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another in trade. Be, O servants of Allah, brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not oppress him, abandon him, or look down upon him.
Righteousness is here,” and he pointed to his chest three times.
“It is enough evil for a man to hold his fellow Muslim in contempt. The entire Muslim is sacred to another Muslim—his blood, his wealth, and his honor.”
And in another narration:
“Indeed, Allah does not look at your bodies or your appearances, but He looks at your hearts,” and he pointed to his chest with his fingers.
[Muttafaqun ‘alayh: Muslim 2564, Bukhārī 6066]
✿ Brotherhood Emphasized in Public Setting
✿ Narrated by a Shaykh from Banū Sulayṭ:
He reported: I came to the Prophet ﷺ to speak regarding some prisoners from the time of Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era). He ﷺ was seated, surrounded by people. He was wearing a thick-bordered wrap. I heard him saying while pointing with his finger:
“A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not wrong him nor abandon him. Taqwā (piety) is here, taqwā is here,” and he was indicating the heart.
[Hasan: Aḥmad 16624]
❖ Summary of Core Islamic Values:
① Mutual care, respect, and sincerity are obligatory between all Muslims.
② Islamic brotherhood protects rights, including life, honor, and property.
③ True piety lies in the heart, and should reflect in actions toward fellow Muslims.
