Abu Hurayra said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'The rights a Muslim has over another Muslim are six." He was asked, "What are they?" He replied, "When he meets him, he should greet him, When he gives him an invitation, he should accept. When he asks him for advice, he should give him good counsel. When he sneezes and praises Allah, he should wish him mercy. when he is ill, he should visit him. When he dies, he should accompany him."
Hadith Commentary: The Six Rights of Muslims
This noble hadith from Sahih Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 991 establishes the fundamental rights that every Muslim owes to fellow believers, forming the bedrock of Islamic social conduct.
The First Right: The Greeting of Peace
"When he meets him, he should greet him" - The greeting "As-salamu alaykum" (Peace be upon you) is not mere courtesy but a prayer for divine protection and mercy. The scholar Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explains that initiating salam spreads love and removes enmity between hearts, fulfilling the command to "spread peace among yourselves."
The Second Right: Accepting Invitations
"When he gives him an invitation, he should accept" - Scholars like Imam Nawawi clarify this refers to wedding feasts (walimah) and legitimate gatherings. Accepting honors the inviter and strengthens communal bonds, unless there is a valid shari'i excuse.
The Third Right: Sincere Counsel
"When he asks him for advice, he should give him good counsel" - This encompasses nasihah (sincere advice) in religious and worldly matters. Al-Qurtubi states the advisor must speak what benefits the questioner, even if contrary to his desires, following the principle of "religion is sincere advice."
The Fourth Right: Responding to Sneezing
"When he sneezes and praises Allah, he should wish him mercy" - The response "Yarhamukallah" (May Allah have mercy on you) acknowledges the sneezer's praise of Allah. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes this exchange reinforces gratitude to Allah and mutual compassion.
The Fifth Right: Visiting the Sick
"When he is ill, he should visit him" - Visiting the sick (iyadat al-marid) comforts the afflicted and earns great reward. Imam Al-Ghazali writes that such visits remind both parties of mortality and strengthen faith through shared remembrance of Allah.
The Sixth Right: Accompanying Funerals
"When he dies, he should accompany him" - This includes following the funeral procession and participating in burial. Scholars distinguish between the communal obligation (fard kifayah) of funeral prayers and the recommended act of accompanying the body to the grave, both being expressions of final respect.
Scholarly Conclusion
These six rights, as compiled in Imam Bukhari's "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad," create a comprehensive framework for Muslim social interaction. Fulfilling them cultivates taqwa (God-consciousness) and actualizes the Quranic description of believers as "brothers" (49:10). The neglect of any right constitutes a deficiency in one's Islam, as these obligations reflect the completeness of faith.