Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. My dear brothers and sisters, there’s nothing as good as what Islam has called us upon: To unite upon goodness. Upon all this goodness, we are to unite as one under the umbrella of Islam which is the greatest brotherhood of all. As we are brothers and sisters in Islam, there are certain rights of a Muslim on another Muslim which we have to observe.
The brotherhood in Islam is a bond stronger than blood, a connection that surpasses race, language, and social status. Upon this, Islam encourages us to treat others with the utmost respect, kindness, and sincerity. The rights of a Muslim on another Muslim are not merely a set of rules; they are the foundation of a harmonious, balanced, and compassionate society, rooted in the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah says in the Quran:
“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” (Quran 49:10)
“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him, nor surrender him. Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs.” (Sahih Bukhari)
These teachings are not just ordinary sayings but they are practical guidelines on how we should interact with one another in our daily lives. By understanding and implementing the rights of a Muslim on another Muslim, we can strengthen our communities, deepen our faith, and earn the pleasure of Allah.
Sadly, in our current world, we often see these rights neglected, overlooked, and even blatantly violated. This disregard for the rights of a Muslim on another Muslim also contributed to the division among us, hatred, and weakness of the Ummah.
These rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim are obligations, and responsibilities that we owe to our fellow Muslims. They are the building blocks of a strong and cohesive community, a community that embodies the true spirit of Islam. By working towards these rights, we are going to live a life of compassion, integrity, and mutual respect among each other.
In this guide, we are going to discuss the rights of a Muslim on one another Muslim in detail here. You will learn what these rights are, why they matter, and how you can apply them in your relationships with fellow Muslims.
What are the rights of a Muslim on Another Muslim?
The rights of a Muslim on another Muslim are six according to the Sunnah which include greeting your brother with Salaam, accepting his invitation, advising him sincerely, praying for your brother when he sneezes, visiting him when he’s sick, and participating in his funeral when he dies.
All these rights are from the mouth of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ where he clearly mentioned the rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim in an authentic Hadith, which serves as a comprehensive guide on how we should treat one another. He ﷺ said:
The rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim are six.” It was asked, “What are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied:
He said: “When you meet him, greet him with Salam; when he invites you, accept his invitation; when he seeks your advice, advise him sincerely; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say ‘Yarhamukallah’ (may Allah have mercy on you); when he falls ill, visit him; and when he dies, accompany his funeral.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2162)
This Hadith establishes the foundation of Islamic brotherhood, reinforcing the principles of compassion, unity, and mutual care. These rights ensure that no Muslim feels abandoned or neglected by their fellow believers.
Each of these rights serves a higher purpose which includes:
- Spreading love through Salam,
- Strengthening bonds through hospitality,
- Guiding others with sincere advice,
- Showing empathy in times of distress,
- Visiting the sick to uplift their spirits,
- And honoring the dead by participating in their final rites.
By upholding these rights which our Prophet ﷺ taught us, we are not only following the sunnah but we we can create a strong and unified Ummah, where every believer feels valued and supported in the communities, reflecting the true spirit of Islam. Read more on what brotherhood is in Islam.
Explanation of the rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim
We are going to discuss all the rights of a Muslim on another Muslim one by one and explain some virtues, rewards and practical tips related to them.
1. Greeting with Salaam (Spreading Peace in Islam)
In Islam, saying “As-Salaamu Alaikum” is more than just a greeting — it is a dua (supplication) for seeking peace and blessings upon the other person. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mentioned the significance of spreading Salaam as a way to strengthen love and unity within the Muslim community. He said:
“You will not enter Jannah until you love one another. Shall I tell you something that will make you love one another? Spread salaam among you.” (Sahih Muslim 54)
This Hadith tells us that initiating Salaam fosters brotherhood and harmony among we Muslims. When we greet someone with Salaam, we are invoking peace, mercy, and blessings from Allah upon them. The reward of initiating Salaam is immense, as the Prophet ﷺ taught that the one who says Salaam first receives greater rewards than the one who replies.
Responding properly by saying “Wa Alaikum As-Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh” ensures that both parties share in the blessings. Saying this with sincerity will foster love, take away hatred and animosity, and strengthen the bonds of faith. But the beauty of this greeting doesn’t end there. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also taught us the etiquette of initiating and responding to Salam.
The reward of spreading Salaam
- The reward of Initiating the Greeting: The one who initiates Salam is invoking dua of peace and blessings from Allah and thus becomes a good person in the sight of Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The best of the two persons is the one who begins with Salam.” (Sunan Abu Dawood) - Proper Etiquette of Responding: When someone greets you with Salam, the response should be equal or better. Allah says in the Quran:
“When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it or at least return it equally.” (Quran 4:86)
This means if the person says Assalaamu Alaikum, you will reply with Wa Alaikumus salaam or Wa Alaikumus salaam warahmatullahi.
- Forgiveness of sins: After initiating the Tesleem when you meet your brother, it is recommended to also shake hands as our Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“When two Muslims meet and shake hands, their sins are forgiven before they part.” (Abu Dawud).
By spreading Salam regularly among ourselves, we are not only fulfilling a right of our fellow Muslims but also earning immense rewards and drawing closer to Allah.
2. Accepting Invitations (Strengthening brotherhood and promoting love and unity)
One of the core teachings of Islam is to accept invitations, especially for important gatherings like weddings, Aqiqah, a family gathering, or a simple meal, attending these events is a way of honoring your Muslim brother or sister. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed:
“If you are invited, accept the invitation.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
Attending such gatherings strengthens the bond of brotherhood and promotes love and unity among Muslims.
However, there are certain situations where declining an invitation is permissible, such as:
- If attending the event would lead to involvement in haram activities, contrary to Islamic teachings (e.g., music, free mixing, or haram food), it is better to decline politely. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him not sit at a table where alcohol is being served.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
- If one is ill, or if there are personal obligations that take precedence. When declining, one should do so politely to ensure that the relationship remains intact. If you want to attend before and you are not able to, express your regrets kindly and avoid hurting the host’s feelings. A simple, heartfelt apology is enough.
3. Giving Sincere Advice (Naseehah – A Sign of True Brotherhood)
The essence of true Islamic brotherhood lies in Naseehah (sincere advice). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The religion is sincerity (naseehah).” (Sahih Muslim, 55)
Naseehah (sincere advice) is a fundamental right of a Muslim upon another Muslim. It is not just about pointing out mistakes only but also guiding the person with love, wisdom, and sincerity. When advising someone, one should consider the time, place, and manner in which it is given, ensuring that it does not cause embarrassment or resentment.
An example is when a young man sought permission to commit Zina (fornication), the Prophet ﷺ gently guided him by asking, “Would you like it for your mother? Your sister or any of your female relatives?” This approach softened the young man’s heart and led him to repentance.
This means that we should focus on solutions by offering practical solutions rooted in the Quran and Sunnah, rather than just criticizing. Thus we should always use wisdom and knowledge when giving advice too.
4. Saying “Yarhamukallah” When a Muslim Sneezes
This right is among the rights of a Muslim on another Muslim related to manners and etiquette. Islam teaches us etiquette in even the smallest of actions, such as sneezing. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning, so if someone sneezes and then praises Allah, then it is obligatory on every Muslim who heard him, to say: May Allah be merciful to you (Yar-hamuka-l-lah). (Bukhari 6223)
When a Muslim sneezes and says “Alhamdulillah”, it is the duty of those who hear it to respond with “Yarhamukallah” (May Allah have mercy on you). This practice strengthens the bond between Muslims and serves as a reminder of gratitude to Allah for good health.
Etiquettes of sneezing include:
- Covering the Mouth
- Turning away and being mindful of others
- And not raising one’s voice unnecessarily, especially in public places or during Salah.
5. Visiting the Sick (A Rewarded Sunnah That Softens the Heart)
Visiting the sick is a highly rewarded Sunnah. The act of kindness encouraged by Islam brings comfort to the patient while also softens the hearts of those who visit the sick. It is a highly rewarded sunnah that brings blessings and mercy upon us by visiting the sick ones. The Prophet ﷺ said:
If a man visits his Muslim brother when he is sick, he is walking amongst the fruits of Paradise until he sits down, and when he sits down he is covered with mercy. If it is morning, seventy thousand angels will send blessings upon him until evening, and if it is evening, seventy thousand angels will send blessings upon him until morning. (Musnad Ahmad, 612)
This act of kindness brings comfort and happiness to the sick person while also earning the visitor immense rewards. The angels will also pray for the one who visits the sick (visitor).
Practical tips for visiting the sick:
- Make Dua for Them: The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us to say:
“La ba’sa tahoorun in sha Allah” (No harm, it is a purification, Allah willing). Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, 526“As’alullahal Azim Rabbal Arshil Azim an yashfik” (I ask Allah the Great, the Lord of the Mighty Throne, to cure you). Sunan Abi Dawud, 3106 - Be Mindful of Their Condition: When visiting, one should be mindful of the sick person’s condition, keep the visit short and uplifting, and avoid causing inconvenience.
6. Attending the Funeral (The Last Right Among The Rights of a Muslim on Another Muslim)
Attending a Muslim’s funeral is a final act of love and respect. It is a collective duty (Fard Kifayah) that ensure the deceased is honored and their family is supported. This is among the rights of a Muslim upon another Muslim that one dedicated to one’s burial after his death to honour him. i.e. We honor him while he’s living and after his death.
Every Muslim has the right to a dignified burial, and it is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) to attend the Janazah prayer and burial. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever follows a funeral until the prayer is offered, gets one Qirat of reward, and whoever follows it until burial, gets two Qirats.” It was asked, “What are the two Qirats?” He said, “Like two great mountains.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
The honour you give to your brother after his death will also earn you a great reward, imagine. One Qirat is equivalent to the reward of Mount Uhud — this is really a massive reward one mustn’t miss. Fulfilling this right includes offering the Janazah prayer, assisting in the burial, and making dua for the deceased.
Those who participate in preparing the body for burial (ghusl, shrouding, and lowering into the grave) are engaging in an act of great merit. Read more on what brotherhood is in Islam.
By fulfilling these six rights as Muslims, we uphold the values of Islam, strengthening the Ummah with love, unity, and compassion. The six rights of a Muslim on another Muslim are not just ordinary obligations, they are also opportunities to earn great rewards and the pleasure of Allah. It will also strengthen the bonds of the Muslim Ummah with love, care, unity, and mutual respect that reflect the true spirit of Islam.
We ask Allah to make us good brothers to each other and make it easy for us to practice all that we are learning in Islam. Aameen.
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