Believer’s Rights in Islam: Respect, Justice, and Compassion Explained
 |
| Believer’s Rights in Islam: Respect, Justice, and Compassion Explained |
What Are the Believer’s Rights in Islam?
Islam is a religion that emphasizes justice, compassion, and mutual respect. Every believer (Mu’min) has rights that must be upheld by fellow Muslims and society at large. Respecting these rights strengthens relationships, fosters unity, and promotes a peaceful, caring community.
1. The Right to Respect and Honor
Every believer deserves respect and dignity. Islam teaches Muslims to honor one another, avoid insults, and treat everyone with kindness. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands others are safe."
- No ridicule or humiliation of anyone
- No backbiting, gossiping, or slander
- Speaking kindly and politely at all times
Honoring others includes respecting elders, peers, and even those in disagreement with us.
2. The Right to Safety and Protection
Believers have the right to feel safe in their life, property, and dignity. Islam strictly forbids harming others unjustly. Everyone should be able to live without fear of oppression or attack.
- Protection of life: No one should harm or threaten another person
- Protection of property: Stealing or damaging others’ belongings is forbidden
- Protection of honor: Respecting personal dignity and reputation
Islamic law places great emphasis on safeguarding individuals and their families from harm.
3. The Right to Justice
Justice is a fundamental principle in Islam. Every believer has the right to fair treatment, regardless of wealth, status, or relationship.
- Fair and unbiased judgment
- Equal treatment under the law
- Protection from oppression or favoritism
The Qur’an commands: "O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it is against yourselves or your parents and relatives." (Qur’an 4:135)
4. The Right to Brotherhood and Support
Believers are united as brothers and sisters in faith. They have the right to support, care, and kindness from one another.
- Helping others in times of need
- Visiting the sick and comforting them
- Offering sincere advice and guidance
- Supporting each other spiritually, emotionally, and socially
5. The Right to Good Advice (Nasiha)
Every believer has the right to receive sincere advice. Advice should be delivered gently, privately, and with the intention of helping, not humiliating.
- Never publicly shaming or embarrassing someone
- Using kind and respectful language
- Intending to guide, correct, and support, not harm
Providing sincere advice strengthens trust and promotes personal growth.
6. The Right to Privacy
Personal privacy is highly respected in Islam. Believers have the right to keep their lives, homes, and personal matters private. Spying, exposing secrets, or violating someone’s personal space is forbidden.
- No spying on others
- No spreading private matters or secrets
- Respecting boundaries and confidentiality
7. The Right to Forgiveness and Mercy
Every believer has the right to forgiveness and mercy. Islam encourages patience, reconciliation, and overlooking mistakes when possible.
- Forgiving others’ mistakes
- Avoiding revenge and resentment
- Promoting peace and harmony in relationships
Forgiveness strengthens community bonds and reflects the mercy of Allah.
8. The Right After Death
Even after death, believers’ rights must be respected. Islam prescribes specific rites to honor the deceased and ensure dignity in death.
- Washing and shrouding the body (Ghusl and Kafan)
- Performing the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah)
- Burial with care and respect
- Making duʿā’ (supplication) for the deceased’s forgiveness and peace
Honoring these rights ensures spiritual and social respect for the deceased and their family.
9. Practical Tips for Fulfilling the Rights of Believers
- Speak kindly and avoid hurtful words
- Support and assist fellow Muslims in daily life
- Offer advice gently and privately
- Respect others’ personal space and privacy
- Practice forgiveness and patience regularly
- Respect funeral and burial traditions with dignity
Conclusion
The rights of a believer in Islam cover respect, safety, justice, support, advice, privacy, forgiveness, and care even after death. Upholding these rights is not only a moral duty but also a form of worship. By respecting the rights of others, Muslims strengthen faith, unity, and compassion within their communities, fulfilling the essence of Islamic teachings.
Unit Five - Lesson 7 | Page 68
Prophetic Tradition
حقوق المؤمن
A Believer's Rights
The Hadith - الحديث الشريف
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «للمؤمن على المؤمن ست خصال: يعوده إذا مرض، ويتشهده إذا مات، ويجيبه إذا دعاه، ويسلم عليه إذا لقيه، ويشمته إذا عطس، وينصح له إذا غاب أو شهد»
Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying: "There are six good qualities which one believer should display to another: he should visit him when he is ill, be present when he dies, accept his invitation when he gives one, salute him when he meets him, say 'God has mercy on you' when he sneezes, and act sincerely towards him whether he is absent or present."
The Six Qualities - الخصال الست
👆 انقر على البطاقة لقلبها | Click on a card to flip it
Visit when ill
العيادة
يعوده إذا مرض
زيارة المريض واجب على المسلم
Be present at death
الشهادة
يتشهده إذا مات
حضور الجنازة والدعاء للميت
Accept invitation
الإجابة
يجيبه إذا دعاه
قبول الدعوة يقوي الروابط
Salute when meeting
السلام
يسلم عليه إذا لقيه
إفشاء السلام ينشر المحبة
Say mercy when sneezes
التشميت
يشمته إذا عطس
يقول: يرحمك الله
Act sincerely always
النصيحة
ينصح له غائباً وشاهداً
الإخلاص في الغيب والحضور
Exercises - التمارين
💡 أجب عن الأسئلة التالية | Answer the following questions
1. How many good qualities should a believer display to another believer?
💡 كم عدد الخصال الحميدة؟
2. When a believer sneezes, what should you say to him?
💡 ماذا تقول عندما يعطس المؤمن؟
3. Do you salute a believer when you meet him?
💡 هل تسلم على المؤمن عند لقائه؟
Pillars of Faith - أركان الإيمان
A Muslim must believe in the following six pillars:
Allah
الإيمان بالله
His Angels
الإيمان بالملائكة
His Books
الإيمان بالكتب
His Messengers
الإيمان بالرسل
The Last Day
الإيمان باليوم الآخر
Divine Destiny
الإيمان بالقدر خيره وشره
Learning Notes - ملاحظات تعليمية
👆 انقر للمزيد من المعلومات | Click for more information
الإيمان بالله
Belief in Allah
الإيمان بوجود الله وأنه واحد لا شريك له
To believe in Allah's existence and that He is One with no partners
الإيمان بالملائكة
Belief in Angels
الملائكة مخلوقات من نور يطيعون الله
Angels are created from light and obey Allah
الإيمان بالكتب
Belief in Books
القرآن والتوراة والإنجيل والزبور وصحف إبراهيم
Quran, Torah, Gospel, Psalms, and Scrolls of Ibrahim
الإيمان بالقدر
Belief in Divine Destiny
كل شيء بقضاء الله وقدره خيره وشره
Everything happens by Allah's decree, both good and bad
Remember! - تذكر!
Six Rights of a Believer:
- ✅ Visit the sick
- ✅ Attend funerals
- ✅ Accept invitations
- ✅ Give salutations
- ✅ Say mercy when sneezing
- ✅ Be sincere always
الخصال الست:
- ✅ عيادة المريض
- ✅ شهود الجنازة
- ✅ إجابة الدعوة
- ✅ إفشاء السلام
- ✅ تشميت العاطس
- ✅ النصيحة دائماً