Allaah Ta’ala declares, “The Nabi has a greater right over the believers than themselves.” (Ahzaab).
Hereunder are a few rights which we should try to fulfil:
- Imaan bir Rasul (Belief): Allaah Ta’ala states, “Thus believe in Allah, His messenger, and the Light which We have revealed.”
To believe in Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam as the final messenger is binding for the completion of one’s imaan. This includes believing that the path which Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam brought is the only path to salvation, and that all other paths are doomed to destruction. We should also believe in the teachings of Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam whether they conform to our logic or not e.g., polygamy, capital punishment, inheritance, etc.
- Muhabbat bir Rasul (Love): Anas RadhiAllaahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “None of you can have true imaan as long as you do not love me more than your father, children and all people.” (Bukhari)
Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam also said, “On the Day of Judgement, every person will be with whom he loved.” (Bukhari)
- A’zmatur Rasul (Honour): Allaah Ta’ala prohibits the believers from exhibiting any form of disrespect to Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam. In Surah Hujuraat, a severe warning is sounded to those who portray disrespect “your actions will be destroyed, whilst you do not know.”
Total respect should be kept in mind when mentioning any aspect relating to the blessed being of Nabi, his actions, practices, as well as his family and companions.
“Verily those who cause distress to Allaah and His messenger, Allaah curses them in this world and the hereafter, and He has prepared for them a disgraceful punishment.” (Ahzaab)
- Itaa’atur Rasul (Obedience): Allaah Ta’ala states, “Obey Allah and the messenger so that you may be successful.”
A believer should wholeheartedly accept the directives of Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam and obey them. These commands are found in his teachings which have been presented to us by the illustrious fuqahaa in the books of jurisprudence“
By your Sustainer! They will not be believers until they recognize you alone to be the judge in the dispute which arises among them. Thereafter they do not find in themselves any constriction from your decision. And they accept happily.”
- Ittibaaur Rasul (Adherence): Allaah Ta’ala states, “Say, if you love Allaah, then follow me, Allaah will love you and forgive for you your sins. And Allaah is most Forgiving, most Merciful.”
To attain Divine pleasure, one should follow Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam in his mode of worship, business dealings, family life, dress code, weddings, and funerals. The closer we bring our lives in conformity to the life of Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam, the more will we attain Allaah’s happiness.
- Zikrur Rasul (Remembrance): Salawaat on Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam is a great act of worship. It is a means of thanking and showing appreciation to Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam for his innumerable favours upon us.
Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam has stated, “The true miser is he in whose presence my name is mentioned, and yet he does not send salawaat (durood) upon me.”
By sending one salaat (durood), Allaah Ta’ala sends ten mercies upon a person, ten sins are wiped away, his stages increase by ten, ten righteous deeds are recorded in his favour and the angels make duaa for him.
Together with this we should continuously read a book on Seerah (the life of Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam). This will increase our love for him and teach us many valuable lessons for our life.
- Fikrur Rasul (Concern): Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam was perpetually concerned regarding his ummah – how could every person be saved from the deception of the world and Shaytaan, how could every person spiritually better himself, and how could every person gain closeness to Allaah Ta’ala, thus attaining eternal salvation in the hereafter. We too should possess this concern.
- Ziyaaratur Rasul (Visit): Rasulullaah SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “The one who after making Hajj visits me after my demise is like one who visited me while I was alive.” (Mishkaat)
The effect of ziyaarat is the increase of love of Nabi SallAllaahu Alayhi Wasallam as readily felt by the true believers when making ziyaarat.
May Allaah Ta’ala grant us the ability to fulfil these rights! Aameen