FIRST RIGHT OF A MUSLIM

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The Prophet of Mercy, Intercessor of the Nation said, “A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim.” When he was asked what they were, Rasool Allah replied, “When you meet him,greet him; when he invites you, accept his invitation; when he seeks goodness from you, give it to him; when he sneezes, say ‘Yarhamuk
Allah’; when he is sick, visit him and when he dies, attend his funeral.” (Muslim Shareef Vol 2 Page 213)

From this Hadith we realise that the first right and duty of a Muslim is that he should cheerfully greet his Muslim brother when they meet. The importance and excellence of greeting is proven from the Qur’an
and Ahadith.

In the Holy Qur’an Allah Ta’ala states:



And when those who believe in Our signs come to you then say to them, 'Peace be upon you,'...
(Surah An’aam verse 54)

In the above verse, Muslims are being taught that they should greet fellow Muslims upon meeting them. This affectionate and caring act is loved by Allah Ta’ala as greeting one another is exchanging wishes for peace on each other. The person who is greeted should also cheerfully reply to the greeting with ‘Wa 'Alaikum Salaam.’ Greeting one another is an excellent way in which to strengthen and increase mutual love and friendship.

At another point, Allah Ta’ala says to the believers:




O believers! Enter not houses other than your own, until you take permission and salute the residents thereof. This is better for you, haply you may be heedful.
(Surah Noor verse 27)

Believers are being advised in a very merciful manner not to enter anyone’s home until they have permission. The method shown for taking permission is that the person arriving should greet the residents of the home, thereby informing them of his presence. If it is not possible to inform the residents of his presence by greeting them, then he should knock on the door or ring the doorbell and wait for a response from inside. He should not stand directly in front of the door; he should stand to one side of the door. If there is no response from inside or the door is not opened he should not be upset or disappointed, rather, he should act upon the Orders of the Lord and should leave. He should not have any ill feelings or doubt the residents but should always think the best and assume the residents are not home or are busy. It is possible the resident is in the bathroom or the lady of the house is performing Salah. Remember this is the order of the Qur’an and obeying it is compulsory for believers.

Look at the action of Rasool Allah (peace be on him) himself when he went to the home of Hazrat Sa’ad bin ‘Ubadah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu and asked for permission to enter by saying, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullahi.’ Hazrat Sa’ad Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu heard him and replied, ‘Wa ‘Alaikum Salaam Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu’ very quietly. Due to the fact that his reply was very quiet Rasool Allah (peace be on him) did not hear it. Once again Rasool Allah (peace be on him) greeted and again Hazrat Sa’ad Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu replied quietly, which Rasool Allah (peace be on him)  did not hear. This happened a third time and after waiting a few moments Rasool Allah (peace be on him) started to leave when Hazrat Sa’ad Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu rushed outside shouting, “Yaa Rasool Allah! Yaa Rasool Allah!”

Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “Sa’ad, I asked permission three times to enter but you did not respond and therefore I was leaving.” Hazrat Sa’ad Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu said, “I heard your greeting all three times but responded quietly so that you would continue to wish peace on me and I would obtain the blessings of that.”

Subhan Allah! What faith and love the Companions had, in that they would seek out opportunities to obtain blessings throughRasool Allah (peace be on him) .

There are many such incidents found in the books of Ahadith.

Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Basar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu reports that when Rasool Allah (peace be on him)  would go to anyone’s house, he would not stand directly in front of the door, rather he would stand a little to the left or right of the door.

The Holy Qur’an shows its believers how to enter homes in the following manner:

Then when you enter any house, salute your own people, a nice greeting from Allah at the time of meeting, blessed, pure. Thus Allah narrates to you His signs that you may understand.
(Surah Noor verse 61)

In another verse, it states:

 

And when you are greeted with any word of greeting then greet him back with a better word than it or return the same. Undoubtedly, Allah is Reckoner of everything.
(Surah Nisaa verse 86)

Greeting Creates Love

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “You will not enter Paradise until you become believers and you cannot become believers until you love one another. Should I not make you aware of a deed which if you act upon will create love amongst you? Listen! Spread peace in abundance.” (Muslim Shareef vol 1 page 54)

This Hadith shows us that a person can only become a true believer when he loves his Muslim brother and the sign of love is to greet him when you meet him.

 In one narration the words of the Hadith are, “Spread peace it will create mutual love.” Some Muslims start
chatting as soon as they meet and greet each other later on. This should not be the case. Whenever you meet a Muslim brother you should greet him first and then start the conversation as it states in a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Jaabir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “Greeting should precede the conversation.”
(Tirmidhi vol 2 page 99).

Hazrat Jaabir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu also narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “Greeting should precede the conversation and do not invite anyone to a meal until they greet you.” (Tirmidhi Shareef)

Extra Words Mean Extra Rewards

Hazrat Imran bin Haseen Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates, “A person came to Rasool Allah (peace be on him) and said, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaikum.’ Rasool Allah (peace be on him) replied to his greeting and then said, ‘He received ten rewards.’ Then a person came and said, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullah.’ Rasool Allah (peace be on him)  replied to his greeting and said, ‘He received twenty rewards.’ Soon thereafter, a
third person came and said, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.’ Rasool Allah (peace be on him) replied and said, ‘He received thirty rewards.’ (Tirmidhi Shareef vol 2 page 98)

Who Should Greet First?

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “Younger ones should greet older ones, those who are walking should greet those who are sitting and the smaller party
should greet the larger party.” (Bukhari vol 2 page 921)

Additionally, he also narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “The one who is mounted (on an animal) should greet the one who is walking, the one who is walking should greet the one who is seated,
and the smaller party should greet the larger party.” (Bukhari vol 2 page 921, Muslim vol 2 page 212)

First to Greet is Free from Arrogance

Hazrat ‘Abdullah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “The one who is first to greet is free from arrogance.” (Baihaqi Shareef)

Hazrat Abu Umamah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that  Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “The one who greets first is more deserving of the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala.” (Tirmidhi vol 2 page 99)

Who is Closer to Allah?

Hazrat Abu Umamah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “The one who greets first is closer to Allah Ta’ala.” (Al Targheeb wal Tarheeb vol 2 page 337, Abu Dawood vol 2 page 706)

We learn from this Hadith that the first one to greet is blessed with the priceless and matchless wealth of being close to Allah Ta’ala.

Greeting Family Members Results in Blessings

Hazrat Anas Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (peace be on him) said, “O my son! When you go to your family members, greet them as this will result in blessings descending on you and your family
members.” (Tirmidhi Shareef vol 2 page 99)

Respected readers! Every home today is the victim of problems and lack of blessings. The words and teachings of the Helper to humanity, Rasool Allah (peace be on him) show us the remedy for this ailment. Let
us immediately make a firm intention that whenever we enter our homes we will greet our family members.

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