Throughout life, we are constantly moving on a journey from cradle to grave. During this journey, we meet a sea of people, some whom we will forget before they leave our sight, while others we will remember even after they have crossed the furthest seas.
Each person we meet adds to what we are in one way or another. How we deal with people in general will be personal and different on an individual basis, and this will be reflected in how we ourselves are treated by others.
One group of people who are always taken for granted are the family, however, when we fall and everyone deserts us, our family will be there to pick us up.
Family:
A family is a group of people with a special connection binding them. This connection can be by blood, or in some other ways. No matter how badly our family treats us, or how difficult they are to please, we should always keep the family united, and maintain contact with our relatives.
Sometimes it may be difficult to tolerate abuse, or insult from those who are close to you, but if you return kindness to those who are mean, then you will show yourself to be higher and Allah will reward you for your example, which they should follow. Allah says in Surah 16, Ayat 90:
"God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to KITH and KIN, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition."
Remember our 4th Imam's (A) prayer, in Sahifa e Kamila:
"Oh Allah, give me the grace to act with sincerity to those who were insincere to me."
It is your duty to keep with your family, even if they are in the wrong. Do not let pride, or politics enter your thinking. Act in the way Allah would like best, and all will be well.
Neighbours / Elders:
Respect to Neighbours does not necessarily mean only those people living next door, but all the people in the area close around you (meaning 40 houses). We should have consideration towards our neighbours and try not to do things which will cause inconvenience to them. We should also help them in all ways i.e. sacrificing time and if need be, helping them financially.
Prophet Muhammad (S) was so polite to his neighbours and did so many things for them that the Muslims of the time were worried that it would become wajib upon them to include the neighbours in their wills when they died!!
One way in which we can respect our neighbours is by sending them Halwa or some other sweet when we have our celebrations, such as Eidul Fitr. In this way, we can show them that Islam is a peaceful religion, and Muslims are friendly and helpful.
Respect to elders is a very important concept. Elders are not just old people, but people who have done their share for the community. They have worked hard and it is thanks to them that we have all the things around us today!
Is it fair that when they are too old to work, that we should forget them and send them away to old people's homes. We are young now, but how would we feel if after we had lived and given our life in service to the community, and then our own youngsters were to ignore us and forget us. We must not only respect our elders, but also thank them and listen to their advice. No matter how much we know, our elders have had experience, and Imam Ali (A) has said, "What is better than knowledge is experience."
Allah tells us that the best ornaments of a community are its elderly people. They are the cause of so many blessings that if the younger people knew how much Allah loves the elderly, they would never leave them alone for even a moment.
Under Privileged / The Sick / Servants:
These people are in a position were you have authority or control over them. It is one thing to respect and have consideration for people, but a different thing all together to deal with them.
Once there was a poor person who used to work in the fields. His clothes were dusty and tattered. He came to the mosque for prayers and sat down next to a rich man. The rich man moved his clothes to one side so that they did not touch the poor man.
The Prophet (S) saw this and asked the rich man as to why he acted in such a manner. Did he think that by touching the poor man, his poverty would be transmitted?
The rich man apologised, and offered to share half is wealth with the person he had insulted. The poor man refused, saying that he was afraid that if he took the money and also became rich, he might also become proud and would forget to respect those who do not have as much. This shows that we should not only respect others, but also treat them as equals.
How many of us have ever visited a hospital to cheer up those who are sick?
We take the health that Allah has given us for granted. There are many who do not have the same luck that we have. You never know, you might be ill one day, or you might have an accident.
The way we should thank Allah for the grace He has shown us is to visit those in hospitals, make them feel that they are not forgotten, talk with them and give them small gifts so that they do not feel left out.
In doing so, you are showing Allah that you are truly thankful, and that you are using your health and wealth to help those who might not have it in the same amount.
Servants are not slaves, but people who work for you.
If you have a maid, or someone who does the housework, or runs errands for you, then they work for you. We should never treat servants, or other employees as if they are second-class, or lower than us. If we do, it is a sign of pride and arrogance.
Bibi Fatimah (A) had a servant who used to help in the housework. Instead of Bibi Fatimah (A) just sitting, while the servant did all the work, Bibi Fatimah (A) shared the chores.
One day she would do the work, and the next day, the servant would do it. When they ate the evening meal, they all ate together, at the same table. This shows the way in which we should treat people who work for us.