Rights of the People (Huqooq-ul-'Ibad)

Question 1

Islam is a very practical and balanced religion.
What does it teach us?

Answer 1

Islam is a very practical and balanced religion.
It teaches us to live peacefully with affection, respect, and consideration for each other.

Question 2

What is the secret of a happy and peaceful life? How will we achieve this?

Answer 2

The secret of a happy and peaceful life is that everyone should be content and well taken care of. This is possible only when all those who live in a society, respect the rights of others and fulfill their own duties.

Question 3

What are the two kinds of rights?

Answer 3

There are two kinds of rights, the rights of Allah, and the rights of the people.

Question 4

What are the Allah’s rights? How do we fulfil them?

Answer 4

Allah’s rights are that we worship and obey Him sincerely. We fulfil this when we offer Salat, observe fasting in Ramazan, give Zakat, and perform Hajj.

Question 5

What are are the rights of People on us?

Answer 5

People have rights on us too. They have the rights to our time, our money, our affection, help, guidance, hospitality etc.

Question 6

List some of the people who have rights on us.

Answer 6

Among the people who have rights on us are out parents and family, relatives, neighbours, guests, the sick, the needy, the travellers, our servants, and all those we come across.

Question 7

Who are the closest and most important people who have rights on us? Who is next?

Answer 7

The closest and the most important are our parents and children. Next, it is our relatives who deserve our attention.

Question 8

What is the Rights of the People called?

Answer 8

Rights of the People (Huqooq-ul-‘Ibad)

Question 9

What is the Rights of the Allah called?

Answer 9

Rights of the Allah (Huqooq Allah)

Question 10

As Muslims, what are we told about relatives?

Answer 10

As Muslims, we are told to look after our relatives. We must help the if they need anything.

Question 11

When giving charity, why must we Muslims first see if any our relatives need it?

Answer 11

When giving charity, we must first see if any our relatives need it, and if so, it should be first given to them. With help, they will not go to strangers, begging for help. As they have a right on us, it is our duty to help them before things gets worse.

Question 12

The Qur’an emphasizes the rights of the relatives. What does Allah says in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Isra, 17:26?

Answer 12

The Qur’an emphasizes the rights of the relatives. Allah says in the Qur’an:

And give to the kinsman his due and to the Miskin (poor) and to the wayfarer. But spend not wastefully (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.

Surah Al-Isra, 17:26

Question 13

What did the Holy Prophet say on relations?

Answer 13

Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabiyeen said:

‘One who cuts off relations with his relatives will not go to paradise.’

Question 14

Name a quality that is a very important part of a Muslim’s life.

Answer 14

Our guests also have rights on us. Hospitality is a very important part of a Muslim’s life.

Question 15

How must guests be treated? What do guests bring?

Answer 15

Guests should be welcomed and treated with respect. They should be given proper attention, fed well, made as comfortable as possible. Guests bring Allah’s blessings and must be treated well.

Question 16

How would Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabiyeen wives, and his companions treat their guests?

Answer 16

Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabiyeen wives, and his companions were always very hospitable to their guests. They gave them whatever they had even if they had to go without food and comfort.

Question 17

Describe one occasion when a sahabi took a guest home, but found out that there was not enough food in the house. What did the sahabi do?

Answer 17

On one occasion, a sahabi took a guest home, but when he found out that there was not enough food in the house, he blew out the light of the lamp. This way the guest ate the food but did not notice in the darkness that his host was not eating.

Question 18

What are guests instructed to do?

Answer 18

Guests are also instructed not to put their host to much discomfort. If the host is uncomfortable by their presence or cannot afford to keep them, then they should not stay for too long and move out.

Question 19

What are the rights of the Sick?

Answer 19

Sick people become weak, and need our help. Islam gives great importance to the rights of the sick people. It is their right that we visit them, comfort them, and take care of their needs.

Question 20

What would the Holy Prophet do around sick people?

Answer 20

Hazrat Muhammad Rasool- Allah Khatam-an-Nabiyeen always visited sick people, sat with them, comforted them, looked after their needs, and prayed for their health.

Question 21

What does Allah do around sick people?

Answer 21

A sick person is helpless, so Allah is very close to him and listens to his du’as.

Question 21

What did the Holy Prophet say that emphasizes the rights of the sick? What does it show?

Answer 21

Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an- Nabiyeen once said, ‘On the Day of Judgement, Allah will say: “O son of Adam I was sick, but you didn’t come to see me. When the person will say “O Allah, You are the God of all, how could I see you?” Allah would answer: “My servant was sick, but you didn’t go to see him. If you had gone, you would have found me there.”’
All this shows that we as Muslims must always respect and fulfill the rights of other people to obey and please Allah.