a. Fulfilling people's needs:

A need is when a person wants something, or has to have something so that he can live. Food and water are basic needs of all living creatures.

When we have something that others do not, then we should try and share what we have so that other peoples' needs are also met.

 

There are so many different types of needs. If a person is poor, we should help them by giving then some money

 

 

There are many people who are disabled in some way. They might not be able to do things as easily as we can. They do not need money, but rather, they need friendship and consideration.

We should not laugh at these people, or make fun of them, but should go out of our way to be friendly with them and to make them feel that they are one of us, and not different.

Then there are people who are not very sure of themselves, and make mistakes often. Instead of laughing at them, we should help them and encourage them. When they make a mistake, do not tease them, but tell them how to improve. All they need are some true friends to help them.

There are also some people who are not lucky enough to have parents, friends or family who care for them, or to bring them up understanding Islam. They have parents, but they don't teach Islam properly.

What should we do when these friends ask us to do things wrong, like listening to music, or watching films which are not good, or eating food which we should avoid?

We should explain to them properly why we should not do these things, and guide them to the way of Islam, so that they can live happily with the pleasure of Allah.

This shows that we should help everyone we know in one way or another. When we see the faults or problems in other people, we should also make sure that we look at ourselves and see that we do not suffer from the same faults. If we do, we should try and make ourselves become better people as well.

Unaware of our own NEIGHBOUR?

Syed Jawad Ameli, a great Mujtahid, was having his dinner when someone knocked at his door. A servant from his master, Ayatullah Syed Mahdi Bahrul Uloom appeared and said: "Your master has sent for you immediately. He has just sat down for his dinner but refuses to eat till he sees you."

There was no time to lose. Syed Ameli left his dinner and rushed to Syed Bahrul Uloom's residence. Just as he entered, the master looked disapprovingly at him and said: "Syed Jawad! You have no fear of Allah! Don't you feel ashamed of Allah?"

This came as a thunderbolt, because he could not remember doing anything to incur the wrath of his master. Hesitantly he asked: "My master may guide me where I have failed."

"It is now a week that your neighbour and his family are without wheat or rice. They were buying some dates from a grocer on credit and today the grocer refused to grant him any further credit. He returned home empty-handed and the family is without a morsel of food," Syed Mahdi said.

Syed Jawad was taken by surprise. "By Allah," he said, "I have no knowledge about this. That is why I am displeased all the more. How can you be unaware of your own neighbour? Seven days of difficulties have passed and you tell me that you do not know about it. Well, if you had known about it and ignored him despite your knowledge, then you would not even be a Muslim", Syed Mahdi admonished.

And then Syed Mahdi Bahrul Uloom instructed him to take all the dishes if food before him to the neighbour. "Sit with him to eat, so that he does not feel ashamed. And take this sum for his future ration. Place it under his pillow or carpet so that he is not humiliated. And inform me when this work is completed. Till then, I shall not eat."

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b. Haqq-un-naas:

Haqq = right, i.e. a person's right to have or own something, and
Naas = which means person, or human beings.

It can be seen from this, that Haqq-un-naas means the rights of people. Every person has certain rights which are vital, and should not be taken away.
If I am holding the estate of an orphan, then it is the right of the orphan to inherit the estate when he comes of age. I should not consume it for my self, taking advantage of my position as the custodian.

Allah who is Just and Merciful, will (Inshallah) forgive us for the sins which we commit against Him, provided we repent for them sincerely; but how can He forgive you for the sins which you commit against others. That would be going against His justice. We can never be forgiven for breaking Haqq-un-naas, the rights of others, unless the person whom we have wronged forgives us himself.

The next question is "What actions break Haqqunaas?"

A person has a right over you even when he is not there. Imagine you were at a gathering, and were discussing with others. If you are not at that gathering, you still have a right that your name isn't insulted, nor your reputation spoilt. This means that if someone does Gheebat, or Tohmat, or Fitna in which your name is mentioned then a sin has been committed against you.

Such a sin cannot be forgiven unless you have forgiven it. It is because of these high consequences that we should avoid committing actions which breach the rights of others. This shows that Islam is a religion that not only benefits a person directly, but helps the community in general. Where else can you find a law the commands you not to insult others, and to guard their reputation in public and private.

You are answerable for Haqq-un-naas even after death.

Islam advises that we should seek forgiveness from the person whom we have wronged before one of the parties dies. If person dies before forgiving the other, then there is no direct way of obtaining forgiveness, and that sin will carry forward until the day of Judgement.

Consider the danger of this sin! Allah cannot forgive us for crimes against Haqq-un-naas. He Himself has told us that He will only forgive the sin after the person who has been wronged forgives us. This does not matter whether the person is a Muslim, or a non Muslim, whether he is a sinner, or a believer.