Do Your Kids Know ‘The Right Of A Muslim’?
Every Muslim has rights that they owe to other Muslims and that are owed to them. Be sure to teach your children what they are and how to implement them.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:
The rights of one Muslim over another are six:
(1) If you meet him, greet him with salaam
(2) if he invites you, accept the invitation
(3) if he asks for advice, give him sincere advice
(4) if he falls sick, visit him
(5) if he sneezes and praises Allah, say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)
(6) if he dies, attend his funeral.
{Reference: Sahih Muslim 2162}
Try your best to follow these rules in your life and insh’Allah your children will fully absorb, understand and follow these rules throughout their lives ❤️
#1
Abu Umamah reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Verily, the best of people to Allah are those who are first to greet with peace.”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Sahih
Parents have the opportunity to greet their little ones with As Salaam Alaikum each time they see them. Subhan’Allah! Giving the greeting of peace on your child can only have a positive impact on them, and it comes back to you when they respond with Walaiykum As Salaam ❤️
Give your child the confidence to greet other Muslims they may encounter (known or unknown) with the greeting of peace, As Salaam Alaikum! See how it lights up their face.
#2
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“The person who is invited amongst you by his brother should accept the invitation whether it is a wedding invitation or anything similar to it.”
[Muslim]
Parents are often bombarded with invitations for their children; for birthday parties, Bismillah and Ameen parties, playdates, etc.
Since the Prophet (pbuh) emphasized good manners among the ummah, it is best to accept and attend. Unless, there are logistical reasons why you can’t attend, or you are sick, or the event is not halal. In those cases, offer your thanks, make dua’ for the one who invited you and send a gift (where applicable).
If you follow this example of RasulAllah, inevitably your children will learn the correct social etiquette with their own friends.
#3
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
This religion is sincere advice..to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims, and their common folk.
(Muslim)
As Muslims, we have an obligation to help each other and to lift each other up. By doing so, we can strengthen the Ummah and work together to be productive in society.
Unfortunately, in today’s social media culture, it has become especially difficult for our teenagers in particular, to reach out and lift each other up. When the only way to succeed seems to be to publicly shame and embarrass others for the purpose of gaining ‘likes’ and ‘friends.’
Our deen teaches us the opposite. To advise our brothers and sisters politely and privately, to encourage a positive change, not a public backlash.
The easiest way to teach this concept to your children is to give honest sincere advice to them when they ask for it. As a parent, this is one of the things that comes naturally – we all have our children’s best interests at heart.
Encourage your kids to apply this same measure of love and concern for their siblings and friends who ask for advice. And remind them not to feel bad if their friend chooses not to accept it.
#4
There is a great reward for visiting the sick. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Whoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek the pleasure of Allah (swt), an angel (announcer) calls out – May you be happy, may your walking be blessed and may you be awarded a dignified position in Jannah.”
(Tirmidhi)
When a man goes to visit his sick Muslim brother, he walks along a path of Paradise until he sits, and when he sits he is cloaked in mercy. If he comes in the morning, seventy thousand angels pray for him until evening, and if he comes in the evening, seventy thousand angels pray for him until morning.
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ahmad)
Just like with everything else, it’s easier to inculcate good habits in children when they are young, so that they grow up fulfilling the rights of other Muslims without giving it too much thought. It would be a natural reaction and response for them through their lives insh’Allah.
Be the example for them and ensure you and your spouse are taking time to visit your relatives and friends who are ill, and be sure to include the children by taking them along and asking them to make/draw/write a ‘get well’ card
#5
Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
‘If anyone of you sneezes, he should say:
Al-Hamduli l-lah’
(Praise be to Allah),
and his (Muslim) brother or companion should say to him,
‘Yar-hamuka-l-lah’
(May Allah bestow his Mercy on you).
When the latter says ‘Yar-hamuka-llah”, the former should say:
‘Yahdikumul-lah wa Yuslih balakum’
(May Allah give you guidance and improve your condition).
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6224)
Just like with everything else, it’s easier to inculcate good habits in children when they are young, so that they grow up fulfilling the rights of other Muslims without giving it too much thought. It would be a natural reaction and response for them through their lives insh’Allah.
Be the example for them and ensure you and your spouse are saying these duas aloud for the benefit of your children, including (if possible, for extra hasanat), the short Dua at the end.
Love this.