Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Muslim's right over his fellow Muslim is six." It was said: What are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: "When you meet him, greet him with peace; when he invites you, accept his invitation; when he seeks your advice, advise him; when he sneezes and praises Allah, say Tasmīt to him; when he falls sick, visit him; and when he dies, follow him." Authentic hadith - Narrated by Muslim
explain-icon

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that a Muslim owes his fellow Muslim six things: First: To greet him with peace upon meeting him by saying: Peace be upon you, and he should return the greeting by saying: And may peace be upon you. Second: To accept his invitation when he invites you to a banquet or any other occasion. Third: To give him advice when he asks for it without flattering or cheating him. Fourth: When he sneezes and says: Alhamdu lillah (praise be to Allah), say Tashmīt to him by saying: Yarhamuka Allah (may Allah have mercy upon you); and he should reply by saying: Yahdīkum Allah was yuslih bālakum (may Allah guide you and set your affairs right). Fifth: To visit him and check on him when he is sick. Sixth: To pray over him when he dies and follow his funeral until he is buried.

explain-icon

Benefits from the Hadith

  • Ash-Shawkāni said: What is meant by (The Muslim's right) is that it should not be neglected, and fulfilling it is either obligatory or firmly recommended in such a way that makes it similar to the obligation that must not be neglected.
  • Responding to a greeting of peace is an individual obligation if the greeting is directed at a single person, and if directed at a group, it suffices if one of them responds. As for initiating the greeting of peace, it is basically an act of Sunnah.
  • One of the Muslim’s rights over his fellow Muslims is to visit him when he is sick, as it brings joy and comfort to his heart and is considered a communal obligation.
  • It is obligatory to respond to an invitation unless it involves a sin. If the invitation is to a wedding banquet, the majority hold that it is obligatory to respond unless there is a valid excuse under the Shariah. However, if the invitation is for something other than a wedding banquet, the majority consider it recommended.
  • Saying Tashmīt to the sneezer is obligatory upon whoever hears him praising Allah.
  • The perfection of the Shariah and its emphasis on strengthening the bonds of society and faith, as well as the ties of love among its members.
  • (Say Tasmīt to him) and in some versions "Tashmīt" with "s" and with "sh": a supplication for goodness and blessing. It was said that "Tashmīt" means: May Allah keep you away from gloating and protect you from what may cause your enemy to rejoice over you. "Tasmīt" means: may Allah guide you to the straight path.