Authority of one muslim over Another Muslim
(i) Reply to Salaam,
(ii) meeting the sick,
(iii) Attending funerals,
(iv) accept the invitation,
(v) To respond to a sneeze,
And When he seeks your council give him
(Sahih Bukhari)
In Islam, there are a number of rights that one Muslim has over another Muslim, often called "rights of brotherhood" or "rights of one Muslim over another Muslim". These rights are based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). Some of these rights include:
Respect:-
Muslims are obliged to show respect to each other. This includes using polite language, greeting peace (salam), and avoiding disrespectful or offensive behavior.
Help and Support:-
Muslims are encouraged to help and support their fellow Muslims in times of need. This may include both physical and emotional support.
Visiting the sick:-
Visiting and consoling a sick companion is considered a virtuous act in Islam.
Attending funerals:-
Muslims are expected to attend the funeral prayers and burial of their deceased fellow Muslim.
Giving Honest Advice:-
It is important to give honest and sincere advice when asked for help or guidance.
Avoiding backbiting and slander:-
Muslims should avoid backbiting each other and spreading false information or rumors.
Maintaining trust:-
Trust is a fundamental aspect of relationships between Muslims. One should not betray another's trust.
Equality:-
All Muslims should be treated with equality and justice, regardless of their social or economic status.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation:-
Muslims are encouraged to forgive each other and reconcile disputes whenever possible.
Praying for each other:-
Muslims are advised to pray for the well-being, guidance, and forgiveness of their fellow Muslims.
These rights emphasize the importance of fostering a strong and supportive community among Muslims, fostering empathy, compassion and mutual respect. It is worth noting that these rights are not limited to Muslims alone, but can also extend to interaction with people of other religions and backgrounds, promoting harmonious coexistence.
Hazrat Abu Huraira Raziallahu Anhu mentions that the Messenger of Allah prophet Mohammed ﷺ Said, “Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim.
(i) Reply to Salaam,
(ii) meeting the sick,
(iii) Attending funerals
(iv) accept the invitation and
(v) To respond to a sneeze
The Hadīth sheds light on some of the rights that a Muslim has upon his Muslim brothers. The rights that a Muslim has over his brothers are many, but sometimes the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) mentions particular things, from amongst many other things, out of his care and concern for them.
Some of these things include what Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said:-
"The rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim are five things:-
returning the greeting," i.e. if someone greets you with Salām, then respond to him.
Another Hadīth says: "The right of the Muslim over another Muslim are six: if you meet him then greet him with Salām." Anyone fulfills these rights properly, then he will be more likely to fulfill the other rights as well. He will fulfill these obligations and rights that involve much goodness and enormous reward from Allah provided that they are done for the sake of Allah. The first of these rights is to give Salām to the Muslim when you meet him, or to return it, as stated in another Hadīth.
The second right is to visit the sick, particularly when sickness compels him to stay at home. In this case, it is his right on the Muslim fellows to visit him.
The third right is following the funeral processions and escorting the dead. The deceased Muslim has a right upon his brother to accompany his funeral from his house until the place of prayer, whether it’s in the mosque or in another place, then to the graveyard.
The fourth right is to answer the invitation. It is the right of the Muslim over his brother to accept his invitation.
The fifth right is to respond to the sneezing Muslim. This is because sneezing is a blessing from Allah who lets the air constrained in the different parts of the body go out from the nasal passage so that the sneezing person can relax. Therefore, Allah instructs the sneezer to praise Him for this blessings, and instructs his brother to say to him "yarhamukallāh (may Allah have mercy upon you)", and ordered the sneezing person to respond: "yahdikumullāh wa yuslih bālakum (May Allah guide you and make better your affairs)". So, the sneezer who doesn’t praise Allah doesn’t deserve these prayers, and he shouldn’t blame anyone except himself
