Respect is “appreciation for the value of something, someone, or a quality of character, ability, or a manifestation of that quality.” Respect means treating others with kindness and appreciation, respecting their possessions, privacy, opinions, and beliefs. When you respect someone, you treat them with dignity and avoid doing anything that might harm or offend them. One of the best ways to show respect is to listen attentively and not interrupt, giving them your full attention. Respect also extends to certain members of society, such as the elderly. In some cultures, calling someone by their first name—unless permitted—is considered disrespectful. In Islam, respect begins with self-respect. Self-respect in Islam encompasses both outward appearance and inner character. Islam emphasizes the necessity for a Muslim to take care of his personality, appearance, cleanliness, and good attire, as stated by God Almighty: “O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying and going round (the Tawaf of) the Ka'bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance; certainly He (Allah) likes not Al-Musrifun (those who waste by extravagance)” (Surat Al-A’raf: 31). And His Almighty saying, “O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. If you are in a state of Janaba (i.e., had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you come from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e., sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you and to complete His favor on you that you may be thankful (Surat Al-Maidah 5:6). And His saying, “They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: "That is an Adha (a harmful thing for a husband to have sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses); therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not unto them till they have purified (from menses and have taken a bath)." And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you (go in unto them in any manner as long as it is in their vagina). Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts and bodies for their prayers, etc.)” (Surat Al-Baqarah 2:222). One of the manifestations of self-respect in essence is the prohibition of committing sins, transgressions, and evil deeds. Sins that diminish a person's self-respect include drinking alcohol, using drugs, theft, and adultery.
This is mentioned in the words of
God. Almighty: "O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic
drinks), gambling, Al-Ansab, and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision)
are an abomination of Shaitan's (Satan's) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all)
that (abomination) in order that you may be successful" (Al-Maidah
2:90). And His saying, "And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse.
Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way” (32), (Surat Al-Isra:
32). Among the manifestations of self-respect in Islam is also treating people
of other religions, races, and ethnicities well, respecting them, and not
transgressing against their rights, in order to preserve the dignity that God
has bestowed upon them in the words of God. Almighty: “And indeed We have
honored the Children of Adam, and We have carried them on land and sea, and
have provided them with At-Taiyibat (lawful good things), and have preferred
them above many of those whom We have created with a marked preference”
(70), (Surat Al-Isra: 70). And His saying, “And insult not those whom they
(disbelievers) worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without
knowledge. Thus, We have made fair-seeming to each people its own doings; then
to their Lord is their return, and He shall then inform them of all that they
used to do” (Al-Anam 6:108). Islam also emphasizes the necessity of
respecting parents, being kind to them, caring for them, and honoring them, as
in the words of God Almighty: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none
but Him, and that you be dutiful to your parents.” "And treat them with
kindness. If one or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them,
'Uff,' nor repel them, but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the
wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as
they brought me up [when I was] small." 23 And lower unto them the wing
of submission and humility through mercy, and say, "My Lord! Bestow on
them Your mercy as they did bring me up when I was small." (Surat
Al-Isra: 23-24) Islam also emphasized respect for women and gave them their
rights in inheritance, as in the words of God. Almighty: “There is a share
for men and a share for women from what is left by parents and those nearest
related, whether the property be small or large—a legal share” (Surat
An-Nisa: 71). His saying: “Divorced women remain in waiting for three periods,
and it is not lawful for them to conceal what Allah has created in their wombs
if they believe in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have more right
to take them back in this [period] if they want reconciliation. And due to the
wives, it is similar to what is expected of them, according to what is
reasonable. But the men have a degree over them [in responsibility and
authority]. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise” (Al-Baqarah 2:228). The
verse states that women have rights over men similar to the rights men have
over women. Each should fulfill their obligations to the other in a reasonable
manner, meaning according to the customs of their place and time. As for the
degree of authority Islam assigns to men over women, Sheikh Sha'rawi explains
it as "the degree of guardianship and leadership (i.e., administrative
authority). The concept of guardianship is broader and more comprehensive.
Every community needs a leader, and leadership is a responsibility, not
domination. Whoever uses guardianship as an opportunity for domination and control
deviates from its purpose. The essence of leadership is that it is a
responsibility to regulate life."
Among the forms of respect
encouraged by the noble Sunnah is respect for the young, the old, scholars,
rulers, and the gatherings where people are seated. The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, “He is not one of us who does not show mercy to
our young and recognize the rights of our elders” (Narrated by Anas ibn Malik,
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, and Ibn Abbas; Source: Sahih al-Jami’); and “Part
of glorifying God is honoring the elderly Muslim, the one who carries the Quran
without being excessive or negligent in its recitation, and the just ruler”
(Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash’ari; Source: Al-Wahm wa al-Iham); and “He is not
one of us who does not honor our elders, show mercy to our young, and recognize
the rights of our scholars” (Narrated by Ubadah ibn al-Samit; Source: Sahih
al-Jami’).
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