Dear Believers!
He (saw) informed people of the niceties that lead to Muslims’ connecting and establishing relations based on love: “A Muslim owes another Muslim five rights: responding to greetings, visiting him in illness, following his funeral, accepting his invitation, and praying for him who sneezes.”[１]
Right, the first thing to do, which he (saw) recommends, is to exchange greetings. Salam is conducive to the establishment of bridges of affection between hearts. It is a way of ensuring trust and peace as well as strengthening friendship and brotherhood. It is a requirement of faith, assurance of trust, and a perfect form of love.
Dear Muslims!
The second recommendation the Messenger of Allah (saw) makes is to visit the sick. A visit that reminds us of the fact that we may lose our health at any time and that we need each other is a means to obtain the endless grace of our Lord (SWT).
The third recommendation the Prophet Muhammad (saw) makes is to attend funerals. Attending the funeral prayer of a brother/sister of ours, expressing our testimony positively, joining the burial process, and extending condolences to the deceased’s relatives are religious and human duty.
Dear Muslims!
The fourth recommendation that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) makes is to accept the invitation of a Muslim brother/sister. It is one of the ethical behaviors of the Prophet to accept the invitation from and please another Muslim brother/sister to the extent allowed by circumstances and means.
The fifth recommendation made by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is to pray for another Muslim when they sneeze.
Dear Believers!
Of course, our rights over each other are not only limited to these five recommendations. We have other responsibilities such as doing good to our family, neighbors, and relatives; take the orphan under our wings, and observe the needs of those who are in need.
I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following prayer taught to us in the Holy Qur’an by our Lord Almighty (SWT): “Our Lord, forgive our brothers who preceded us in faith and us. Put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed, You are Kind and Merciful.”[２]
[１] Bukhari, Jana’iz, 2.
[２] Hashr, 59/10.
FRIDAY KHUTBA OF TOKYO CAMİİ “A MUSLIM’S RIGHTS OVER ANOTHER MUSLIM“.(PDF)