Risalat al-huquq (Treatise on Rights)

Risalat al-Huqūq (رساله الحقوق) is the title of a long narration from Imam al-Sajjad (a). This narration, which contains over 50 duties of any individual toward others, is in fact a treatise on moral conducts in both personal and social life. The rights discussed in this treatise address various social relations of any individual; like the duties toward parents, spouse, children, neighbors, teachers, students, believers, the leader of congregational prayer, the government etc. Because of the particular position and the comprehensive content, several translations and commentaries have been written on this treatise.

Content

In this charter, Imam al-Sajjad (a) outlines 51 divine rights under seven general categories:

1. The rights of God
2. The rights of the soul and body organs
3. The rights of worship rituals
4. The rights of the governor and the people
5. The rights of the family members and the relatives
6. The rights of different groups of people
7. financial rights

The meaning of Right

In this context, what is meant by Right, is the divine-originated obligations and duties toward others. These rights are not confined within the jurisprudential obligations but include recommended acts as well. That is, the treatise comprises recommended ethical norms, which is not always a sin and does not result in jurisprudential penalties. This treatise discusses the most significant of Divine and moral duties and in each duty, the most important aspects have been covered.

Risalat al-Huquq in the encyclopedic works of traditions

The oldest traditional sources that recorded a complete version of Risalat al-Huquq are as follow:

• Tuhaf al-'uqul, by: Ibn Shu'ba al-Harrani (d.381/991) in this book 50 rights have been narrated but the chain of narration has not been mentioned.
• Al-Khisal by al-Shaykh al-Saduq (d. 382/992)
• Man la Yahduruh al-Faqih by al-Shaykh al-Saduq. in these two books, and in addition to other 50 rights, al-Shaykh al-Saduq mentions another right under the title: the right of pilgrimage to Mekka; although such title is not mentioned, recounting the rights, in the introduction of al-Khisal.

However, there are some points regarding the authenticity of this narration.

First: in the version of Man La Yahdur, the chain of narration is not mentioned, therefor the narration is classified as Mursal.

Second: there are differences in the wording and some phrases of these three versions.

Third: in the chain of narration in al-Khisal, there is no account of Isma'il b. Faddal.

Forth: in Man la Yahdur it is not stated that these rights are in fact a treatise of al-Imam al-Sajjad (a) while in al-Khisal such fact is explicitly mentioned.

The titles of Risalat al-Huquq

According to the account of al-Shaykh al-Saduq in al-Khisal, the titles of Risalat al-Huquq are:

1. The right of God
2. The right of soul
3. The right of tongue
4. The right of ears
5. The right of eyes
6. The right of hands
7. The right of feet
8. The right of abdomen
9. The right of private parts
10. The right of prayers
11. The right of pilgrimage to Mekka
12. The right of fasting
13. The right of charity
14. The right of sacrificed animals
15. The right of governor
16. The right of teacher
17. The right of lord
18. The right of bondman
19. The right of student
20. The right of woman
21. The right of slave
22. The right of mother
23. The right of father
24. The right of child
25. The right of brother
26. The right of a freed slave
27. The right of servant
28. The right of whoever does you a favor
29. The right of the reciter of Adan
30. The right of the Imam in congregational prayer
31. The right of companion (general)
32. The right of neighbor
33. The right of friend
34. The right of partner
35. The right of money and whatever you possess
36. The right of a loan seeker
37. The right of companion (personal and particular)
38. The rights of your enemy (your duties toward your enemy)
39. Your rights against your enemy (what you are allowed to do toward your enemy)
40. The right of anyone who consults you
41. The right of counselor
42. The rights of anyone who seeks advice
43. The rights of anyone who gives advice
44. The right of elderly
45. The right of kids
46. The right of beggar
47. The right of whoever gives charity
48. The right of whoever makes you happy
49. The right of whoever does you wrong
50. The right of the followers of your religion
51. The right of the followers of other religions

Commentaries and translations

There are several commentaries in Arabic and Persian translation of this treatise. It also has translated to English: Treatise On Rights

External Links

• The material for this article is mainly taken from رساله الحقوقin Farsi WikiShia.