Rights of the Brother in Faith

There are numerous traditions in connection with the rights of the believers and brothers-in-faith. A few of such traditions are quoted below :

Mualla Bin-Khanees asked Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.):

"What are the rights of the believing brother ?"

Imam (a.s.) replied, "Seven rights of the believers are Wajib - If one fails to fulfill even one of these rights, he is externed from Allah's obedience. He shall not receive any reward from the Almighty."

"What are those seven rights?", enquired Mualla.

Imam (a.s.) said, " I fear that you may fail to act upon them."

Mualla said, "La Quwwata Illa Billah" (It won't be so).

Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s.) said, "The foremost right is that you wish for the believing brothers whatever you wish for yourself."

Imam (a.s.) then related the other six rights,

"The second right is that you must refrain from angering him and try to seek his pleasure and obey him.

The third right is that you help him with you life, your wealth, your tongue, and your hands.

The fourth right is that you guide him and teach him that which is beneficial for him.

The fifth, is that do not eat till satiation when your believing brother is hungry, and do not drink to satiation if he is thirsty, and do not dress nicely if he is deprived of good clothes.

The sixth right is that if you have a servant you should send him to do his work.

The seventh right is that if the believing brother says something on oath you should believe him, if he invites, you accept his invitation, if he is sick, visit him, if he dies, accompany his bier, if you come to know any of his needs fulfill it before he asks.