In Islam kindness, empathy, compassion, and obedience to Allah are related to respect. The seventh month on the Islamic calendar, which is called Rajab in Arabic, comes from a word that literally means “to respect”.
Respect means to be held in high regard, or to value the worth and esteem of an idea, belief, reality or even an individual. Treating each other with respect is part of our Ibadah (worship).
Respect Allah
First, we have true reverence and respect for Allah, The Most High. Our respect for God begins with believing, loving, and obeying the commandments in the Quran. Pray to Allah.
“The true believers are only those whose hearts tremble at the remembrance of Allah, whose faith increases when His revelations are recited to them, and who put their trust in their Lord” (Quran 8:2).
Respect Prophet Muhammad, Peace And Blessings Be Upon Him
We respect that Allah has given us the Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, as a leader and guide for all of humankind. Send blessings upon him.
"Believe in Allah and His Messenger and the light which He sent down."
(Quran 64:8)
"We sent you as a witness and a bringer of good news and a warner so that they might believe in Allah and His Messenger."
(Quran 48:8-9)
"Take what the Messenger brings you."
(Quran 59:7)
Respect Islam
We respect that Islam is a whole and complete way of life that Allah has blessed upon humankind. Practice and live our Islam.
"This day I have perfected for you your religion, and completed My blessing upon you, and approved for you Islam as religion."
(Quran 5:3)
Respect Our Elders And Parents
We honor those who came before us because they guide and help us. In the Quranic verse the verb “honor” means to hold in respect and show courteous behavior towards. Call or visit your parents or elders in the community.
“For your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And honor your parents. If one or both of them reach old age in your care, never say to them even ‘ugh’, nor yell at them. Rather, address them respectfully.”
(Quran 17:23)
Respect Family And Ties Of Kinship
Islam places importance upon safeguarding relationships with our family. The Quran addresses this 23 times. Call on your family members and offer a good word: “And give to the kindred his due” (Quran 17: 26).
Respect Muslim Women
The Quran and the life example and words of Prophet Muhammad, God’s peace and blessings be upon him, are guides for us on male and female relationships and worth. Honor our women.
“Their Lord responded to them: ‘I never fail to reward any worker among you for any work you do, be you male or female – you are equal to one another’.”
(Quran 3: 195)
“The believers, men and women, are helpers, supporters, friends and protectors of one another, they enjoin all that is good, and forbid all that is evil, they offer their prayers perfectly….”
(Quran 9: 71)
"O People, it is true that you have certain rights concerning your women, but they also have rights over you."
Excerpt from the Prophet’s Khutbatul Wada, his last sermon,
Respect people of different religions
We respect the beliefs of people from other religions, especially those of the Abrahamic line. Speak words of justice to our non-Muslim neighbors.
“And they say: Be Jews or Christians, then ye will be rightly guided. Say Nay, we follow the religion of Abraham, the upright, and he was not of the idolaters. Say [O Muslims]: We believe in Allah and that which is revealed unto Us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob. and the tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, add that which the prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have surrendered.”
(Quran 2:135-136)
Respect other Muslims
Respect each other with common courtesy by speaking, being friendly, listening, sending blessings on each other, as well as protecting each other’s reputation and helping even in death.There is no precedence is Islam that these issues of respect are only due to friends or tribal members of our own faith.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet, said
“The rights of one Muslim over another are six.” It was said: ‘What are they, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said: “‘f you meet him, greet him with salaam; if he invites you, accept the invitation; if he asks for advice, give him sincere advice; if he sneezes and praises Allah, say ‘yarhamuk Allah (may Allah have mercy on you); if he falls sick, visit him; and if he dies, attend his funeral.”
Abdullah bin Amr reported that the Prophet said, “The Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand Muslims are safe.”
Respect ethnic groups
Islam is a universal religion and Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, brought the message of Islam to all of humankind. There is no racism in Islam. Call, eat, visit, accept invitations from and celebrate with Muslims of different ethnic groups.
Oh humankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”
(Quran 49:13)
The prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught the believers in khutbatal wada – his last message to the believers
“All humankind is from Adam a.s and Hawa a.s. An Arab has no superiority over a non- Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over a white
- except by piety and good action."
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