A Simple Introduction to Islam

A BELIEVER’S DUTIES TOWARD HUMANITY

A Simple Introduction to Islam — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (51 chapters)
  1. Foreword
  2. TAWHEED:Oneness of God
  3. WHO ARE ANGELS?
  4. WHO ARE THE PROPHETS?
  5. PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  6. LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  7. THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET
  8. QURAN: Word of God
  9. HADITH: Traditions of Prophet Muhammad
  10. ISLAM: Submission to God
  11. IMAN: Belief in God
  12. THE TRIAL OF MAN
  13. CREATION PLAN OF GOD
  14. ACTIONS DEPEND UPON INTENTION
  15. CONCEPT OF HEREAFTER
  16. PARADISE AND HELL
  17. RABBANIYAT: Islamic Spirituality
  18. TAQWA: God-Consciousness
  19. SHUKR: Gratitude to God
  20. ZIKR: Remembrance of God
  21. SALAT: Prayer Instills Modesty in a Worshipper
  22. SAWM: Fasting Teaches Restraint
  23. ZAKAT: The Law of Almsgiving
  24. CHARITY: Well-Wishing of Others
  25. HAJJ: Piligrimage to Makkah
  26. THE SIMPLE PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY
  27. SABR (PATIENCE): The Superior Solution
  28. SPEAKING THE TRUTH
  29. FULFILLING PROMISES
  30. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
  31. TOLERANCE LEADS TO RESPECTING DIFFERENCES
  32. JIHAD IN ISLAM
  33. AVOIDANCE OF CLASH
  34. AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES
  35. A GOOD NEIGHBOUR IS A GOOD HUMAN BEING
  36. A BELIEVER’S DUTIES TOWARD HUMANITY
  37. SERVING HUMANITY
  38. ISLAM AND HUMAN EQUALITY
  39. HUMAN BROTHERHOOD
  40. GOD-ORIENTED LIFE
  41. PRAYER: Expression of Heartfelt Attachment to God
  42. PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER
  43. MORNINGS AND EVENINGS IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
  44. TAWASSUM: Spiritual Nourishment From Everyday Events
  45. HOW SHOULD ONE LIVE IN THE FAMILY?
  46. BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY
  47. DIVINE WAY: MOVE WITHIN YOUR SPHERE
  48. THE PURPOSE OF WEALTH
  49. LOSS AND GAIN
  50. CONCEPT OF SALVATION
  51. CONCLUSION

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.