A BELIEVER’S DUTIES
TOWARD HUMANITY

Respecting and fulfilling the rights of his fellow men is the duty of a believer. The fulfilment of these duties makes him deserving of God’s succour.

The prime duty of a believer is that which he owes to God. This duty to God (called huququllah) entails accepting God with all His perfect attributes, worshipping Him, holding himself in readiness to serve Him and willingly accepting that whatever God demands of him, he will immediately and wholeheartedly carry out.

Another duty of a believer (called huququl ibaad) is respecting the rights of his fellow men. This is the duty that he owes to humanity. All men and women who are relatives, neighbours or compatriots or partners in dealings, have certain rights over a believer. Respecting those rights is incumbent on the believer. Without doing so, he cannot be held deserving of God’s succour.

What are the rights of mankind? Wherever a believer comes in contact with other human beings, he should behave as Islam demands. He should not deal with them in ways that do not measure up to Islamic criteria.

For instance, the believer must respect others, never dishonour them, and he should do things which are to their benefit. If it is not possible to benefit others, then at least he must save them from any harm. He must always fulfil promises and never try to usurp others’ wealth and property. He must always deal justly with others. He must never accept anything bad said about others without having evidence to support what is said. When giving advice, it must be as a well-wisher. He must never give insincere advice to anyone.

Everyone should fulfil the obligations he has to others. This is called fulfilling one’s rights over humankind.