SIXTH RIGHT OF A MUSLIM

The sixth right and duty of a Muslim is that when his Muslim brother dies, he should attend his funeral. Death is a reality which each and every person will taste. No one will be able to escape it. If a brother of yours passes away from this mortal world today it is not a time to be happy as tomorrow it will be your turn. Therefore, when a Muslim brother or sister passes away, act upon the Sunnah and attend their funeral prayer. Performing the funeral Salah and lifting the funeral bier are both means of earning great rewards. The blessings and etiquettes of attending funerals are presented over the next few pages – read them and attempt to act upon them.

Lifting the Bier Is Sunnah
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “The person who walks with the funeral procession and lifts the bier three times, he has fulfilled the rights of the funeral.” The author of Mishkaat states that it is reported in Sharhul Lisaana that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) lifted the corpse of Sa’ad bin Mu’aaz Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu on two planks of wood. (Mishkaat Shareef page 146)

Hasten the Funeral
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Hasten to perform the funeral because if the deceased was a pious person you are taking him towards goodness, and if he was not pious then it is a heavy burden on your shoulders that you should hasten to unload.” (Muslim Shareef)

Do Not Walk In Front of the Bier
Hazrat ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ood Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “The funeral (bier) is a leader and not a follower and the one who walks in front of it is not with the funeral
procession.” (Abu Dawood vol 2 page 453)

Attending a Funeral – Means of Reward
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him)  said, “The person who attends a funeral with the intention of obtaining rewards and stays for the (funeral) prayer and burial, undoubtedly he returns with two carats worth of rewards. The reward for each carat is equivalent to Mount Uhud and the person who performs the funeral prayer and leaves before the burial leaves with one carat.” (Bukhari Shareef vol 1 page 12)

Do Not Sit Before the Bier is Put Down
Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “If you see a funeral bier then stand up and if you are walking with a funeral procession, do not sit down until the
bier has been placed on the ground.” (Muslim Shareef)

Do Not Ride on an Animal
Hazrat Thaubaan reports that we attended a funeral procession with Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) and when Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) saw some people riding on animals he said, “Are you not embarrassed that Allah Ta’ala’s Angels are walking and you are riding on the backs of animals?” (Tirmidhi vol 1 page 196)

Publicise the Good Deeds of the Deceased
Hazrat Ibn ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhuma narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Publicise the goodness and good deeds of your deceased and refrain from speaking about their bad deeds.”
(Tirmidhi vol 1 page 198)

Respected readers! The only way we can achieve success in both worlds is by following the rules of Islamic society given to us by the Beloved of Allah Ta’ala, Leader of both worlds, Prophet of Mercy Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him). Looking for success anywhere else is like looking for sweet water in a desert. Instead of looking towards western culture with yearning eyes, we should try and instil the example of Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) in all facets of our lives, as the secret to success in both worlds is hidden in that.

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FIFTH RIGHT OF A MUSLIM

The fifth right (duty) of a Muslim is that when his Muslim brother is sick he should visit him. The Arabic word for inquiring on the health of the sick is ‘Ayaadat which means to return. Due to the fact that a person returns time and again to visit the sick it is used in that context for visiting the sick.

Visiting the sick is a very important moral duty. When a friend, relative, neighbor or any acquaintance is sick, he should be visited and comforted as this earns the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Visiting and comforting the sick is also a blessed Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet (Peace be upon him).

A number of Ahadith are being presented in relation to visiting the sick – act upon them and earn immense rewards.

Visit the Sick
Hazrat Abu Musa Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Feed the poor, visit the sick and free the prisoner.” (Bukhari Shareef vol 2 page 843)

Method of Visiting the Sick
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhuma narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When you visit any sick person say the following, “O Allah! Grant health to this slave of Yours so that he can punish Your enemies or can walk with a funeral bier for Your Pleasure.” (Abu Dawood vol 2 page 443)

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him)  said, “When you visit any sick person, try and remove his grief and sadness. This will not alter his destiny (meaning death will occur at the appointed time), but it will make him feel better.” (Ibn Majah Shareef page 104)

Excellence of Visiting the Sick
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When a person goes to one who is sick, a caller calls out from the heavens, ‘Glad tidings for you, your journey is excellent and you have obtained a great status in Paradise.’” (Ibn Majah Shareef page 104)

Hazrat ‘Ali Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu reports that I heard Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) say, “If a person visits a sick person in the morning, seventy thousand Angels supplicate for him until the evening. And if he  visits a sick person in the evening, seventy thousand Angels supplicate for him until the following morning. Additionally, an orchard is planted for him in Paradise.” (Tirmidhi vol 1 page 191, Abu Dawood vol 2
page 442)

A Great Method of Visiting the Sick
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “On the Day of Judgement, Allah Ta’ala will say, ‘O son of Adam! I was sick and you did not visit Me.’ The slave will say, ‘O my Lord! You are the Lord of all the worlds, how could I visit You?’ Upon hearing this Allah Ta’ala will say, ‘Did you not know that my (such and such) slave was ill? But you did not go and visit him.
Do you know that if you would have visited him you would definitely have found Me there?” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 318)

Obtain Mercy by Visiting the Sick
Hazrat Jaabir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When a person visits one who is sick, he takes a dip in the river of mercy. When he sits beside the sick person (to comfort him), he begins to bathe in that mercy.” (Masnad Imam Ahmed)

Far Away From Hell
Hazrat Anas Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “If a person performs ablution well and goes (with the intention of obtaining reward) to visit one who is sick, he is moved (a distance of) seventy years away from the fire of hell.” (Abu Dawood vol 2 page 441)

Gather Inspiration from Paradise
Hazrat Thaubaan Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When a Muslim visits his sick Muslim brother, he is gathering inspiration from Paradise for as long as he is comforting his sick brother.” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 381)

Do Not Call Fever Evil
Hazrat Jaabir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that one time Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) went to Hazrat Umme Saa’ib Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anha and asked, “Why are you shivering?” She replied, “I have a fever, may it perish.” Upon hearing this Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Do not call fever evil
because it cleans a person’s sins like fire cleans iron.” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 319)

Fulfil the Desires of the Sick

Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhuma reports that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) went to visit a sick person and asked, “Do you desire anything?” He replied, “I want a wheat chapatti.” Upon hearing this
Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Whichever one of you has a wheat chapatti, bring it for this brother of yours.” Then Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When a sick person asks for something, give it to him.” (Ibn Majah page 104)

Ask the Sick to Supplicate for You
Hazrat ‘Umar bin Khattab Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When you visit a sick person, ask him to supplicate for you as his supplication (in terms of acceptance) has the same status as the supplication of Angels.” (Mishkaat page 138)

Supplicate For the Sick like This
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbas Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhuma reports that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “If a person visits a sick person and says ‘As-alul Laahal Adheema Rabbil ‘Arshil Adheemi Ay Yash-Fiyaka’
then he will certainly be cured – unless it is the appointed time for his death.” (Abu Dawood vol 2 page 442)

There is Cure for All Illnesses
Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Allah Ta’ala has sent a cure for every illness that He has sent.” (Bukhari Shareef vol 2 page 848)

Hazrat Jaabir Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “There is cure for all illnesses and when a sick person receives the medicine he is cured (by the Will of Allah Ta’ala).” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 225)

Find a Cure, But...
Hazrat Abu Darda Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Allah Ta’ala has created both illnesses and cures and has appointed a cure for each and every illness. Therefore, search for a cure but not with forbidden (Haram) things.” (Abu Dawood Shareef vol 2 page 541)

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FOURTH RIGHT OF A MUSLIM

The fourth right of a Muslim is that when his Muslim brother sneezes, he should say, “Yarhamuk Allah” (May Allah have mercy on you).

Sneezing Liked By Allah Ta’ala

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Undoubtedly, Allah Ta’ala likes sneezing and dislikes yawning. When one of you sneezes, he should say, ‘Alhamdu Lillah’, and all those who hear it should reply, ‘Yarhamuk Allah.’ Yawning is from Satan. When one of you feels like yawning, he should do his utmost to stop it as Satan laughs when any of you yawns.” (Bukhari Shareef vol 2 page 919)

What to Say If One Sneezes?

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that the Beloved Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When one of you sneezes, let him say, "Alhamdu Lillah" (Praise be to Allah), and let his brother or companion say to him, "Yarhamuk Allah" (May Allah have mercy on you). If he says, "Yarhamuk Allah", then let [the sneezer] say, "Yahdeekum Allah wa Yuslihu Baalakum" (May Allah guide you and rectify your condition). (Bukhari Shareef vol 2 page 919)

Reply to One Who Says Alhamdu Lillah

Hazrat Abu Musa Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Only reply to the one who sneezes and says ‘Alhamdu Lillah.’ Do not reply to one who sneezes and does not praise Allah Ta’ala.” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 413)

What to Do When One Sneezes?

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu reports that when Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) would sneeze, he would cover his blessed face with his blessed hand or a cloth and he would sneeze quietly. (Tirmidhi vol 1 page 103)

Reply for Up to Three Sneezes

Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Reply to your brother for up to three sneezes. If he sneezes more than three times, then it is a cold.” (Abu Dawood
Shareef vol 2 page 686)

Hazrat ‘Ubais bin Raf’a states that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “Reply up to three times to one who sneezes. If he sneezes more than three times reply if you wish or do not reply.” (Mishkaat Page 406)

Cover Mouth When Yawning

Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri Radiallaho Ta’ala ‘Anhu narrates that Rasool Allah (Peace be upon him) said, “When you yawn, cover your mouth with your hand otherwise Satan enters the mouth.” (Muslim Shareef vol 2 page 413)

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• First Right of a Muslim 
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• Fourth Right of a Muslim 
• Fifth Right of a Muslim  
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