27. Chapter: On respecting the sacred things of the Muslims, clarification of their rights and having compassion and mercy for them Allah Almighty says, "If someone honours Allah's sacred things, that is better for him his Lord's sight," (22:30) and the Almighty says, "As for those who honour Allah's sacred rites, that comes from taqwa in their hearts." (22:32) The Almighty says, "And take the believers under your wing," (15:88) and the Almighty says, "If someone kills another person - unless it is in retaliation for someone else or for causing corruption in the earth - it is as if he had murdered all mankind. And if anyone gives life to another person, it is as if he had given life to all mankind." (5:32) 238. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, (PBUH), said, "The rights one Muslim has over another Muslim are five: returning the greeting, visiting the sick, joining funeral processions, accepting invitations and blessing those who sneeze." [Agreed upon] In the variant of Muslim, "The Muslim has six rights. When you meet him, you should greet him. When he invites you, you should accept his invitation. When he asks you for counsel, you should counsel him. When he sneezes and praises Allah, you should bless him. When he is ill, you should visit him. When he dies, you should follow him." 239. Abu 'Umara al-Bara' ibn 'Azib said, "The Prophet, (PBUH), instructed us to do seven things and forbade us seven. He instructed us to visit the sick, to join funeral processions, to bless people who sneeze, to fulfil our oaths, to help the wronged, to accept invitations, and to return the greeting. He forbade us gold rings, drinking from silver vessels, red silk, fine silk, mixed silk and cotton, and wearing silk and istibraq silk, and brocade." [Agreed upon] One variant has "declaring stray animals" among the first seven.
