Muslim's Manners and Duties
By Muzammil H. Siddiqi
President of Fiqh Council — North America
Surat Al-Israa' was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon
him) in Makkah after his Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem. In verses
23–39 of this surah, Allah mentions some basic commitments of Muslims. Without
fulfilling these commitments, no individual or group can succeed. Muslims have
to live by these values and should invite humanity to these principles. These
principles are not limited to one race, tribe, or group; they are universal in
their scope and application. These are also called the hikmah or the teachings
of wisdom. It is wise for everyone to follow them. If followed properly, they
are capable of increasing the goodness and wisdom of all people. These
principles are as follows:
1. To worship Allah alone
(Thy Lord hath decreed, that ye worship none save Him.) (Al-Israa' 17:23)
This means to recognize Allah as the ultimate reality and to recognize Allah as
the Lord, to worship Him with all sincerity and to submit to Him in every
aspect of life. A Muslim's life is nothing but total commitment to Allah. We
are not only monotheists (people of tawheed) but we are also theocentric
people. Allah is the center of our life and He is our total and ultimate
concern.
2. To be respectful and kind to parents
(And (that ye show) kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain
old age in your life, say not "Fie" unto them nor repulse them, but speak unto
them a gracious word. And make yourself submissively gentle to them with
compassion, and say: My Lord! Have mercy on them both as they did care for me
when I was little.) (Al-Israa' 17:23-24)
This is to acknowledge the compassion and kindness of parents, to be grateful
to them, and to do one's utmost to reciprocate that love and compassion. Filial
piety and devotion is the second most important commitment of Muslims. Respect
and kindness to parents is not just a social duty for us; it is our religious
duty and obligation.
3. To be good to relatives, to the poor, and to the travelers
(Give the kinsman his due, and the needy, and the wayfarer.) (Al-Israa' 17:26)
This is to remember that we are interconnected in this world. Our
responsibilities are not only towards ourselves and our immediate families, but
also to other relatives and to the society at large. We are all in need of each
other and we are all fellow travelers in this path of life. We must see what we
can do for others. Muslims must live a socially responsible life. Social
responsibility begins with the family and other relatives and it includes all
those who are in need.
4. To be careful with money and not waste resources
(And squander not (thy wealth) in wantonness. Lo! the squanderers were ever
brothers of the devils, and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord … And let
not thy hand be chained (like a niggard's) to thy neck nor open it with a
complete opening, lest thou become blameworthy and destitute. Lo! thy Lord
enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He
will). Lo, He was ever Knower, Seer of His slaves.) (Al-Israa' 17:26-27, 29-30)
One should be neither too tight with one's money nor too loose with it.
Extravagance is not right, but also one should not become stingy and miserly. A
Muslim is committed to the balanced life style. Money should be earned in halal
(lawful) ways and it should be spent in the right manner. This principle can be
applied to all resources that Allah has given us. Wise and conscientious use of
resources is a very important commitment of Muslims.
5. To take good care of children
(Slay not your children, fearing a fall to poverty, We shall provide for them
and for you. Lo! the slaying of them is great sin.) (Al-Israa' 17:31)
As we recognize the rights of the parents, we should also recognize the rights
of children. Our children are our future. We must see that we raise healthy,
intelligent and morally responsible children. Our commitment should be to raise
them in safe and healthy environment. We must protect their life as well as
their sprit and mind, their morals and manners.
6. To steer clear of adultery and illicit relations
(And come not near unto fornication. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil
way.) (Al-Israa' 17:32)
Sexual perversions bring the greatest harm to individuals and societies.
Observing the proper rules in this matter lead to health, happiness, and a
good, moral society. Muslims are committed to pure, clean, and socially
responsible lifestyle. Islam teaches that one should not come even close to
adultery or fornication. This means proper dress codes for males and females,
proper behavior in mixed societies, and proper control on social relations and
entertainment.
7. To respect every life and not to kill anyone unless in the pursuit of justice
(And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden except for a just
cause.) (Al-Israa' 17:33)
This means that one should recognize the sanctity of all life and should not do
anything that may jeopardize life. One should avoid aggression and violence,
because these things lead to murder. Every Muslim must be committed to peaceful
ways. Conflicts should be resolved by dialogue and negotiations, not by
killings and murders. However, justice must be maintained, because just
punishment brings safety and protects life.
8. To take care of the orphans
(Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains
the age of full strength;) (Al-Israa' 17:34)
Orphans and all those who are vulnerable must be taken care of. Their rights
must be recognized and they should be protected from all harm. A Muslim must be
deeply committed to the care of the young, poor, infirm, and handicapped.
Kindness and compassion is the basic commitment of a Muslim. It includes
everyone and includes the animals.
9. To fulfill promises and commitments
(And keep the covenant. Lo! of the covenant it will be asked.) (Al-Israa' 17:34)
Promises and contracts are an important part of human life and human
civilization. When promises are not kept, people lose trust in each other and
the whole society becomes weak. Muslims must be true to their words. Our
commitment must be to speak the truth and to be honest and when we make a
pledge we must do our best to fulfill our pledges.
10. To be honest in business dealings and not cheat in weight or measurement
(Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight:
that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the end.) (Al-Israa'
17:35)
Honest business brings progress, success, and blessings. All business, whether
commercial, social, or political must be done with a sense of justice and
fairness. A Muslim is committed to fair dealing in every thing and with every
one. Dealing with a Muslim means dealing with full confidence. A Muslim
businessman should be the most truthful businessman. A Muslim worker should be
the most honest worker. A Muslim in any profession should bring honor to that
profession.
11. To do things with knowledge and not follow hearsay or act on half knowledge
(follow not that whereof thou hast no knowledge. Lo! the hearing and the sight
and the heart—of each of these it will be asked.) (Al-Israa' 17:36)
The information agencies, the media, have a great responsibility. A lot of
injustice is done when misinformation is given or information is misused.
Muslims should be committed to truth in information. They should promote
truthful and honest reporting about everyone, including their enemies. A report
coming from a Muslim source should be the most trustworthy report. In a similar
way, Muslims should be extremely careful with their actions and reactions. They
should not react against everyone without proper evidence.
12. To be humble and have no arrogance
(And walk not on the earth exultant. Lo! thou canst not rend the earth, nor
canst thou stretch to the height of the mountains.) (Al-Israa' 17:37)
Moderation and balance is the best thing in one's behavior as well as in one's
attitude toward others. A Muslim is a dignified person, but he or she is
humble. A Muslim is not boastful, arrogant, or vainglorious. A Muslim thanks
Allah for all His gifts. For everything, the ultimate praise is for Allah and
the real glory belongs to Allah.
These are the basic commitments of Muslims as individuals and as people. These
are the principles of wisdom and the universal values of Islam. When they are
followed, they bring justice, peace, and happiness in this world and they will
indeed bring success and salvation in the Hereafter. Let us all try to make
these our real commitments.
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Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (evil) with what is better; then the
enmity between him and you will become as if it were your friend and intimate!
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