The Importance of Ḥuqūq al-ꜤĪbād
The peace and tranquillity, development and progress, and welfare of a society depend upon the protection of the morals and character of its inhabitants and the strengthening of mutual relationships. Therefore, in various civilisations and societies, different laws are implemented for the protection of human rights. However, Islam holds superiority over all in protecting human rights because it is the only religion that has not only emphasised the importance of the rights of people but also declared that those who fail to fulfil them deserve loss and punishment in this world and the Hereafter. The level of detail and emphasis with which Islam describes the rights of people is its unique characteristic. These rights include the individual rights of parents, children, spouses, relatives, orphans, the poor, travellers, neighbours, employers, servants, and prisoners, along with other collective and social rights.
The Meaning of Ḥuqūq al-ꜤĪbād
Ḥuqūq is the plural of Ḥaqq, which means: the necessary portion of an individual or group.[1] Meanwhile, the rights of people (Ḥuqūq al-ꜤĪbād) refer to all those duties that people are required to perform for one another. Since these rights are related to people, Allah Almighty has prescribed that if they are violated, forgiveness is not granted until the person who was wronged forgives the violator.[2]
The Importance of Ḥuqūq al-ꜤĪbād
Along with the rights of Allah Almighty, fulfilling the rights of people is, in reality, the path to salvation. Allah Almighty has commanded the fulfilment of these rights at a number of places. In one instance, He stated:
وَ اٰتِ ذَا الْقُرْبٰى حَقَّهٗ وَ الْمِسْكِیْنَ وَ ابْنَ السَّبِیْلِ
And fulfil the right of relatives, and the destitute (miskīn), and the traveller,[3]
Fulfilling the rights of people is a trait of the righteous servants of Allah Almighty. A true Muslim always refrains from suppressing or violating the rights of others. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Everything belonging to a Muslim is forbidden for (another) Muslim: his property, his honour, and his blood.”[4]
Neglecting the rights of people undermines the peace and harmony of society. Fulfilling everyone's rights in this world is much easier than doing so in the Hereafter. If we depart from this world without obtaining forgiveness for the rights we violated, we may lose a lifetime’s worth of good deeds for withholding a single rupee, hurling a single insult, casting a harsh glance, rebuking, or quarrelling. Furthermore, the sins of the one whose rights were violated may be transferred to the wrongdoer, as the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Whoever has wronged his brother concerning his honour or anything else must seek forgiveness from him in this world (before the Day of Resurrection) where there will be neither dinar nor dirham. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from him according to the oppression he has done and given to the oppressed. If he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be placed upon the oppressor.”[5]
Dear Islamic brothers! We should adhere to the radiant teachings of Islam regarding the rights of people and eliminate this destructive habit of violating rights, which is eroding the foundations of our society.
For further information regarding the rights of people, refer to the booklet of Imam Ahl al-Sunnah Aḥmad Riḍā Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, titled Walidain, Zawjain Aur Asatiza Kay Huqooq (published by Maktabat-ul-Madinah).
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