Islam sheds great importance on behaving during our lifetime. Haqooq Allah and Haqooq Al-Ibaad are given very important pillars in the lives of Muslims. Haqooq Al-Ibaad primarily deals with how we behave in our daily routines. Controlling our anger, helping others, talking to family and friends nicely and other aspects are what build our nature and reflect on how we behave. In every society, there are some members who are senior in age and others who are junior to them. Allah says:
سَأَصْرِفُ عَنْ آيَاتِيَ الَّذِينَ يَتَكَبَّرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَإِن يَرَوْا كُلَّ آيَةٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَا وَإِن يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الرُّشْدِ لَا يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا وَإِن يَرَوْا سَبِيلَ الْغَيِّ يَتَّخِذُوهُ سَبِيلًا ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا وَكَانُوا عَنْهَا غَافِلِينَ
“I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant in the earth without [the] right; and if they see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see (the) way (of) the righteousness, they will not take it (as) a way, but if they see (the) way (of) [the] error, they will take it (as) away. That (is) because they denied Our Signs and they were of the heedless.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:146)
The Beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) has, also, explained (in his teachings) what their mutual behaviour should be. Stated below are a few Ahadith regarding this aspect of social conduct, which may appear insignificant to some people, but plays an important part in promoting a happy and peaceful life, both at family and community levels. “Whoever does not show affection to the young, and respect to the old, is not one of us.“
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ خَلَائِفَ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ لِنَنظُرَ كَيْفَ تَعْمَلُونَ
“Then We made you successors in the earth after them so that We may see how you do.” (Surah Yunus 10:14)
Anyone who wishes to remain attached to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his faith should treat those who are younger, to him, with affection and mercy, and those who are older with respect and honour.
It is related by Anas (RA.) that the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) said: “For the young man who will honour an old man because of his age, Allah will appoint men who will honour him in his old age.”
Here is what the Quranic verses teach us about behaving:
- Do not be rude in speech: “So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him] upon.” – The Holy Quran 3:159
- Restrain Anger: “Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good.” – The Holy Quran 3:134
- 3. Be good to others: “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.” – The Holy Quran 4:36
- Do not be arrogant: “[Allah] said, “Descend from Paradise, for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased.” – The Holy Quran 7:13
- Forgive others for their mistakes: “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” – The Holy Quran 7:199
- Speak to people mildly: “And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah].” – The Holy Quran 20:44
- Do not say a word of disrespect to your parents: “Say not to them [so much as], “off,” and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word” – The Holy Quran 17:23
- Do not follow anyone blindly: “And when it is said to them, ‘Follow what Allah has revealed,’ they say, ‘Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing.’ Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?” – The Holy Quran 2:170
- Do not engage in bribery: “And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].” – The Holy Quran 2:188
- Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly: “O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful.” – The Holy Quran 4:29
- Spend wealth in charity: “Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” – The Holy Quran 57:7
- Honour your guests: “Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a roasted fattened calf, and placed it before them. He said: ‘Will you not eat?”- The Holy Quran 51:26
- Be dutiful towards your parents: “And your Lord has decreed that you do not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you.” – The Holy Quran 17:23
- Stay away from corruption: “Eat and drink from the provision of Allah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.”- The Holy Quran 2:60
- Stay away from sin and aggression: “… but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” – The Holy Quran 5:2
- Avoid intoxicants and alcohol: “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gambling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah ], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid it that you may be successful.” – The Holy Quran 5:90
- Walk on earth with humility: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace” – The Holy Quran 25:63
- Judge with justice between people: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” – The Holy Quran 4:58
وَاسْتَكْبَرَ هُوَ وَجُنُودُهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَظَنُّوا أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا يُرْجَعُونَ
“And he was arrogant, and his hosts in the land without right, and they thought that they to Us not will be returned.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:39)
Connecting and holding on to the Quran will influence the human personality positively, increase his immune system response, prevents psychological diseases, and help him to achieve success and to select the right choices. The Quran is your way of accomplishment, Triumph, success, and happiness. Allah says:
إِن يَثْقَفُوكُمْ يَكُونُوا لَكُمْ أَعْدَاءً وَيَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِالسُّوءِ وَوَدُّوا لَوْ تَكْفُرُونَ
“If they gain dominance over you, they would be to you enemies and extend against you their hands and their tongues with evil, and they desire that you would disbelieve.” (Surah Al-Mumtahinah 60:2)
Often we are so proud of what we have, we never care for the needy and the poor. While we may not take advantage of their status, we do misbehave with them on occasions because we feel proud of what we have – an upper hand and a higher bank balance.
