Respecting the Muslim

Allah created the human-being in the best of forms. He made him benefit from what is in the sky and Earth. He endowed upon him a mind, tongue, lips, eyes and ears so that one uses these organs in the accepted way to please Allah, i.e., to obey him and perform obedience to Him.

Allah, ta^ala, said in the Qur’an:

وصوركم فأحسن صوركم وإليه المصير

Wa sawwarakum fa’ahsana suwarakum wa ilayhil-masir.

Ayah 3 of Suratut-Taghabun means: {Allah created you having a good shape & To Him [His judgement] is the return.}

Allah gave the Muslim a merit over others, because he has fulfilled the greatest obligation, which is believing in Allah and stating that Allah is clear of having partners. The Muslim has several rights. The Religion has urged us to respect the Muslim and not to demean him.The Religion also made hurting a Muslim a sin for which one deserves to be punished. If one gossips about another without an excuse one commits a sin of the tongue. If one hits him unrightfully, then one commits a sin of the body, and so forth.

Sins of the Heart

Actions that harm a Muslim often begin with internal thoughts and feelings. Among the most significant sins of the heart are arrogance, enmity, and envy. These feelings can lead a person to look down on a fellow Muslim, which is an act of great evil.

Sins of the Tongue

The tongue can be a source of great harm. Mocking a Muslim, making fun of them, or saying anything that causes them pain is considered a sin.

The Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:

بحسب امرئ من الشر أن يحقر أخاه

Bihasbi-mri’im minash-sharri ay yahqira akhah. Which means:

“Belittling one’s fellow Muslim is an act of great evil.” 

This Hadith, narrated by Muslim, emphasises that any word, action, or even a gesture intended to hurt or ridicule a fellow Muslim is a grave offense. Respecting one another, both in public and in private, is essential.