In the Name of Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted, who says in the Qur’an,
“There will be no friend, nor an intercessor for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers), who could be given heed to.” (40:18)
And in another place, Allah says,
“And for the Dhaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper.” (22:71)
As we approach Ramadan, we will hear many reminders reminding us to use this time to purify ourselves and develop our relationship with our Creator. This will be by means of fasting, increasing in prayer, reading more Qur’an, and so on. In essence, such acts pertain to the rights of Allah upon us. I want to use this opportunity instead to discuss the other half of the religion, which is the rights of people upon us, so that we do not render our good deeds null and void without knowing it.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) asked, “Do you know who the bankrupt is?”
They said: “The bankrupt among us is the one who has neither money with him nor any property.”
He (SAW) said, “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he spoke abusively of others, brought slander against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire.” (Muslim)
Thus we have to take strict care in the performance of obligations like prescribed Salat (prayers), Saum (fasting), Zakat (charity), and so on, but we have to take similar care in our dealings, manners and morals. Salvation lies in the proper fulfilment of all these requirements. Fulfilment of one at the cost of the other will not be sufficient for salvation. It is not sufficient for us to think ourselves safe and sound just because we are good at a few aspects of the Deen. We must strive to perfect ourselves in all aspects of this Deen; the rights of Allah, like prayer, fasting and pilgrimage, as well as the rights of people, like showing kindness, honesty and charity.
Jabir bin `Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Beware of injustice, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection; and beware of stinginess because it doomed those who were before you. It incited them to shed blood and treat the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim)
Also, Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns.” (Muslim)
These two sayings of the Prophet (SAW) make it abundantly clear that there will be utmost justice on the Day of Resurrection. So much so that Allah will redress even the grievance of the aggressed animal against the aggressor. Thus, these teachings serve as severe warnings for people. When animals, which are devoid of sense, will not be forgiven, how will mankind be, which is gifted with senses? We will not be pardoned if we are guilty of having been unjust to anyone without adequately compensating them.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whoever usurps unlawfully even a hand span of land, a collar measuring seven times (this) land will be placed around his neck on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
We see in this Hadith that even a minor injustice to anybody in this world can cause great trouble on the Day of Resurrection.
‘Adi bin ‘Umairah (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Whosoever among you is appointed by us to a position and he conceals from us even a needle or less, it will amount to misappropriation and he will be called upon to restore it on the Day of Resurrection.”
(‘Adi bin ‘Umairah added:) A black man from the Ansar stood up - I can see him still - and said: “O Messenger of Allah, take back from me your assignment.”
He (the Prophet (SAW)) said, “What has happened to you?”
The man replied: “I have heard you saying such and such.”
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “I say that even now: Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position, he should render an account of everything, big or small, and whatever he is given therefrom, he should take and he should desist from taking what is unlawful.” (Muslim)
In this Hadith people of positions of responsibility are warned to perform their duties with co-operation and integrity. If they neglect their duties or take undue advantage of their official positions, they will be held guilty by Allah for conscious neglect of their duties and misuse of power. Another point to note from this Hadith, for us all, is that we should keep account of everything we give and take to and from others, regardless of whether we consider the item big or small.
Abu Musa (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Verily, Allah gives respite to the oppressor. But when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then he (SAW) recited,
'Such is the Seizure of your Rubb when He seizes the (population of) towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful (and) severe.'" (11:102) (Bukhari and Muslim)
We should not think respite and relief from harm to mean exemption and immunity, because we do not know when respite granted by Allah will come to an end and punishment will follow.
We ask Allah for the strength and desire to live in accordance with his Deen, and we ask Him out of His mercy to forgive us our sins and shortcomings.
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