—this gesture indicates that the most honored of all people in Allah’s sight is the one who is marked by piety, not by lineage, position, or wealth. Someone whom people despise because of weakness or scant worldly means may, in fact, rank higher with Allah than the one who enjoys influence in this life. Allah, Exalted is He, says: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing of you” (Qur’an 49:13).
Piety takes root in the heart, and only Allah truly knows it. Thus a person may display a handsome appearance, social standing, or authority in this world while his heart is empty of piety; whereas another who possesses none of these outward advantages may have a heart brimming with fear of Allah, and such a person is the more honored before Him.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Allah does not look at your forms or your wealth; rather, He looks at your hearts and your deeds” (Muslim 2564).
- His words, “It is enough evil for a man that he should disdain his Muslim brother.”
That is: a Muslim’s belittling of his fellow Muslim suffices as an act of evil, for he despises him out of arrogance—and arrogance is the gravest of vices. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 91 the Prophet ﷺ said, “No one who harbors even an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.”
- His words, “The whole of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honour.”
There are many clear and authentic texts that forbid violating the life, property, and honour of Muslims; this is something known in the religion by necessity.
What is incumbent upon every Muslim is to safeguard the rights of his fellow Muslims and never encroach upon them. If he happens to acquire any of those rights, he must return them if he can; otherwise he must seek pardon from their owners before a Day comes when he will be able to repay only with his righteous deeds. When his good deeds are exhausted, some of the sins of those whose rights he violated will be laid upon him. We ask Allah for well-being and safety.