Rights of Others: Family, Money and Neighbours

Your Deen is measured by your dealings: The rights of other people — Huquq al-Nas — are the heaviest rights upon you. Imam Ali (as) said: "The rights of your family are the heaviest rights upon you — because they are most deserving of your loyalty. And Allah will ask you first about those closest to you — before He asks about strangers." — Nahj al-Balagha. — to be checked.

Rights of parents: Obeying parents is Wajib, and respecting them is Wajib. The Quran says: "Do not say to them so much as uff — do not repel them — but speak a noble word." And: "Lower to them the wing of humility — out of mercy. And say: My Lord — have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small." (Quran 17:23–24). — to be checked. Never say "uff" or any expression of annoyance — even a sigh. Never raise your voice at them, never interrupt them, and never walk ahead of them. After their death, continue du'a for them, give Sadaqa on their behalf, and visit their graves.

Rights of wife and children: A husband owes his wife full Nafaqah — food at her social standard, appropriate clothing, adequate shelter, and medical treatment (Tawdhih, Issues 2412–2430). A father owes his children Nafaqah until boys are self-sufficient and girls until marriage, and Islamic education — Wudu, Salah, Quran, and basic Halal and Haram — before Taklif (Tawdhih, Issues 2431–2440). — to be checked. Parents are also Wajib to teach their children before Bulugh: correct Wudu and Salah, basic Halal and Haram, and knowledge of Allah, the Prophet (SAW), and the Imams (as). (Quran 66:6) — to be checked.

Rights of relatives and neighbours: Keep the ties of kinship (Sila al-Rahim) — the minimum is contact every 40 days, and cutting ties completely is Haram. Support relatives in need when you are able. Resolve disputes in the family — a broken family bond is a wound in the community. And respond to Salam — replying to a greeting is Wajib (Tawdhih, Issues 2471–2478). — to be checked.

Money and promises: Fulfil your contracts and oaths — breaking them is a sin (Tawdhih, Issues 2174–2220). Repay your debts — delaying payment when you can pay is oppression (Tawdhih, Issues 2268–2296). Give true testimony when asked, and save a life when you can — the source course teaches that testimony and saving a life are Wajib (Tawdhih, Issues 2458–2470). — to be checked. And Riba (interest), gambling, theft, bribery, and cheating in trade are all Haram.

Commanding good, forbidding evil: Amr bil Ma'ruf (enjoining good) and Nahy anil Munkar (forbidding evil) are Wajib on the community when their conditions are met (Tawdhih, Issues 2788–2814). — to be checked. They begin gently: with the heart, then with the tongue, then — for those with authority — with the hand. A word of advice at the right time can save a person from a lifetime of sin.

Example

Hassan's father passed away owing three months of his neighbour's shop credit. Hassan did not say, "That was his debt, not mine." He went to the shop, checked the ledger, paid the amount, and told his father's friend, "Forgive him for any shortcoming." Then he made du'a for his father. One debt repaid, one heart forgiven, and his father's record, inshallah, lightened.

Key Terms

• Huquq al-Nas (حقوق الناس) — the rights of other people
• Nafaqah (نفقہ) — maintenance; food, clothing, shelter, and medical care owed to wife, children, and parents in need
• Sila al-Rahim (صلہ رحمی) — keeping the ties of kinship
• Amr bil Ma'ruf (امر بالمعروف) — enjoining good; Nahy anil Munkar (نہی عن المنکر) — forbidding evil

Quran or Hadith

Quran 17:23–24 — "Do not say to them so much as uff — do not repel them — but speak a noble word. Lower to them the wing of humility — out of mercy. And say: My Lord — have mercy on them as they raised me when I was small." — to be checked.

Quran 66:6 — "O believers — protect yourselves and your families from the Fire whose fuel is people and stones." — to be checked.

Imam al-Sadiq (as): "Whoever looks at his parents with a gaze of anger — even if they wronged him — Allah does not accept his prayer." — Al-Kafi, Vol. 2, p. 349. — to be checked.

Imam al-Baqir (as): "One loving glance at parents is the reward of an accepted Hajj." — to be checked.

Imam al-Sajjad (as) in Risalat al-Huquq: "The right of your mother upon you is: know that she carried you where no one carries another — fed you what no one feeds — and protected you with all of her being." — Sahifa Sajjadiyya, Risalat al-Huquq. — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: Concentric circles — parents at the centre, then wife and children, then relatives, then neighbours, then the wider community — each ring labelled with one right owed to it.