Authored by: Shaykh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (Hafidhahullah)
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"The rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are six: When you meet him, greet him with Salam (peace). When he invites you, respond to his invitation. When he seeks your advice, offer him sincere advice. When he sneezes and praises Allah, say ‘Yarhamuk Allah’ (May Allah have mercy on you). When he falls ill, visit him. And when he dies, follow his funeral."
(Narrated by Muslim)
Hadith Reference:
This hadith is found in Sahih Muslim, under the chapter of Salam. Additionally, see Tuhfa al-Ashraf, 10/224.
Islam promotes mutual brotherhood and establishes certain rights among Muslims. As the Quran says: "Indeed, the believers are brothers."
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:10)
The six rights mentioned in the hadith are important and obligatory upon Muslims towards each other. The term Haqq al-Muslim (the rights of a Muslim) signifies that these duties are exclusive to fellow Muslims, not non-Muslims. Below is an explanation of each right:
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
"The rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are six: When you meet him, greet him with Salam (peace). When he invites you, respond to his invitation. When he seeks your advice, offer him sincere advice. When he sneezes and praises Allah, say ‘Yarhamuk Allah’ (May Allah have mercy on you). When he falls ill, visit him. And when he dies, follow his funeral."
(Narrated by Muslim)
Hadith Reference:
This hadith is found in Sahih Muslim, under the chapter of Salam. Additionally, see Tuhfa al-Ashraf, 10/224.
Islam promotes mutual brotherhood and establishes certain rights among Muslims. As the Quran says: "Indeed, the believers are brothers."
(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:10)
The six rights mentioned in the hadith are important and obligatory upon Muslims towards each other. The term Haqq al-Muslim (the rights of a Muslim) signifies that these duties are exclusive to fellow Muslims, not non-Muslims. Below is an explanation of each right:
- Meaning of Salam: The word Salam is one of Allah’s names, as mentioned in the Quran:
"He is the King, the Holy, the Peace (As-Salam), the Faithful, the Overseer."
(Surah Al-Hashr, 59:23) - Etiquette of Greeting: When meeting another Muslim, it is obligatory to offer Salam. The Prophet (ﷺ) also instructed that when one leaves a gathering and returns, they should offer Salam again, as mentioned in the hadith:
"When one of you reaches a gathering, let him greet with Salam. If he wishes to sit, let him do so. And when he stands to leave, let him greet with Salam again, for the second Salam is no less important than the first."
(Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani) - Levels of Reward for Salam: A person receives ten rewards for saying "As-Salamu Alaikum", twenty for saying "As-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah", and thirty for saying "As-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh".
- Responding to Salam: Allah instructs that we should respond to Salam with an equal or better greeting:
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better or (at least) return it equally."
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:86) - Accepting invitations is a right of the Muslim, especially for significant events like a walimah (wedding feast). The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the importance of responding to invitations, particularly for a walimah, and warned that ignoring such invitations is disobedience to Allah and His Messenger.
- If a Muslim seeks your advice, it is obligatory to offer sincere and sound advice. This is an essential aspect of mutual care among Muslims. The hadith also mentions that sincerity towards one's fellow Muslims is part of the religion itself.
- When a Muslim sneezes and says "Alhamdulillah", it is the right of the other Muslim to respond with "Yarhamuk Allah". The one who sneezes should then reply, "Yahdikum Allah wa Yuslih Balakum" (May Allah guide you and rectify your affairs).
- It is wajib (obligatory) to say Alhamdulillah after sneezing, and it is recommended for others to respond with Yarhamuk Allah.
- Visiting the sick is an emphasized Sunnah, and some scholars even consider it obligatory. Visiting a sick person provides emotional and spiritual support, and prayers made during such visits can bring about healing, as indicated by the Prophet (ﷺ). He taught us the supplication:
"O Allah, remove the harm, Lord of the people, and grant healing, for You are the Healer; there is no healing but Yours, a healing that leaves no trace of sickness."
(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim) - Accompanying the funeral procession and offering prayers for the deceased is a significant right. Attending the funeral is highly rewarded in Islam, with the Prophet (ﷺ) promising great rewards for those who attend both the prayer and burial.
- It is crucial to avoid innovations like loud recitations of Kalimah or other forms of dhikr during the funeral, as these are not supported by the practices of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions.