The Second Right
The Rights of the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him
This is the greatest right of human beings. There are no rights for any man on the face of Earth greater than the rights of the prophet, P.B.U.H. Allah, the Almighty, stated in the glorious Quran
“ We have truly sent thee as a witness, as a bringer of Glad Tidings, and as Warner: In order that ye (O men) may believe in God and His Apostle, that ye may assist and honor Him, and celebrate His praises Morning and evening”. 48: 8-9
It is a must, therefore, that love, care and full respect must be given to Allah‘s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), especially over all other people, including, but not limited to self, children and parents. Allah‘s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said: “One will not become a complete believer until I (Allah’s Apostle, Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) be more beloved to him than his own children, parents and all other people “. 1
To name some of the rights of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), some of the most important are full respect, honor and love without any exaggeration or negligence. Proper respect and reverence of the Prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), during his life is to respect his tradition, applications, his person and way of life. As for the proper respect of the prophet after his death and departure of this world, it is to respect his traditions, actions and rules he laid down for man, along with divine constitution, the Glorious Quran, and the Sunah practices that was revealed to him from Allah, the Almighty. If a just person knows well how the companions of Allah’s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) respected him , showed their reverence and expressed their utmost appreciation to the tremendous gift he has given them , one would be able to realize how such honorable , reverent and respected companions expressed their love , admiration and respect to their prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). It is reported that ‘Urwah bin Masoud, one of the tribe of Quraish, who was delegated to negotiate with the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), during the truce of Hodaibyah, a small village in the outskirts of Makah. In the eighth year of Hire, Allah’s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), came with ten thousands Muslims to perform ‘Umbra (lesser Hajj) and return to Medina Where they lived, were refused permission to do so by the Quraish tribe, who then were governing people of Makah. ‘Urawah bin Masoud said to his people: “I have visited kings such as Chesrous, Caesar and Najashi. I have never seen a group of people honoring, respecting and cherishing the commands of their leader as I have seen the companions of Mohammed (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), I have noticed that whenever he ordered them to do something , they all haste and run to execute it to the letter. I have also seen them fight over the splashing water when he washes in ablution for prayer. I have noticed them lowering their voices when they are address him, out of respect. I have also noticed that no one looks him in the eyes or the face when they talk to him, out of respect and modesty”. 2
It was in this fashion that our elder Muslim respected, honored , revered and showed their love , appreciation and respect to our beloved prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). Although the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), has been greatly blessed with good character , an easy-going personality , generosity , kindness , ethics and lenience , the companions showed him every respect , love and consideration. Had the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) been rough person, others could have easily have not gathered around him and befriended or even associated with him as Allah, the Almighty, as mentioned in the glorious Quran
One of the rights of the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), upon us Muslims is to believe him fully and wholeheartedly in whatever he brings of the news and reports of Divine inspirations. This means, Muslims must believe their prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) in terms of whatever he, (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) relayed about previous nations and generations, as well as the future. He is also entitled to the right of full obedience in so far as all that he commands or forbids, due to the fact that all his commands are to be considered perfect and are aimed at our survival and hereafter. It is also one of his entitled rights to believe that the laws, rules and regulations he brought forth for Muslims all over the world are indeed , the best that any man on the face of Earth could bring. They are the most authentic, complete and comprehensive for the life of man on Earth, as well as, the hereafter. They are more complete than any other previous laws and instructions of any previous prophet or messenger, as those were sent to a particular group, people or a certain locality, as we learn from the right and authentic teaching of Islam. A believing Muslim must not give priority to any man-made or any other so-called divine or non-divine law, no matter who enforces or calls for it. Allah, the Almighty stated in the glorious Quran:
But no, by thy Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against thy decisions, but accept them with fullest conviction.” 4:46
It is also, Allah, the Almighty who stated in the glorious Quran
“Say: “ if ye do love God, follow me: God will love you and forgive you your sins: For God is Oft-Forgiving, most merciful.” 3:31
One of the rights that Allah’s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), is entitled for every believing Muslim is to defend his Divine laws, rules and regulations bought forth for Muslims all over the world. One must attempt to defend such divine laws by every possible means in accordance to the type of attack that it is under attack. If the enemies of the divine laws of Allah ‘s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), are using any kind of a proof of evidence to proof the Divine Laws of Islam are faulty , then a knowledgeable , believing and committed Muslim must use his utmost power of knowledge to defend the divine laws of Allah’s Apostle (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). Similarly, if the attack was against Muslims by any other weapon, then committed Muslims must defend their faith and belief accordingly with suitable weapons
None of the Muslims, regardless of position or status in the society, must condone, accept or pardon any attack aimed at the divine laws of the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), according to the capability. Such person is labelled sinner, weak in faith and belief, and short of expressing his true love, consideration, appreciation and respect to the rights of his the prophet (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam
This Hadith statement Of Allah‘s Apostle, (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) is reported by Both Bukhari and Muslim 1
2 “The Abridged Biography of the prophet Mohammed (Sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam)”, Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdel Wahhab, P.300
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