Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-Muslim

Hurmat al-Muslim ‘ala al-Muslim (The Inviolability of a Muslim toward Another Muslim) is a treatise by the Iraqi scholar Mahir al-Fahl (b. 1391 AH / 1971 CE), examining the Islamic legal and moral prohibitions against infringing upon the life, property, and honor of a fellow Muslim Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1.

Background and Context

The author composed the treatise in 1426 AH (2006 CE) in response to the deteriorating security and social situation in Iraq—which he described as "our wounded country"—noting widespread complacency and disregard concerning the sanctity of Muslim life, property, and reputation Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…. In illustrating the lethal hazards of spreading unsubstantiated claims and mass panic during times of crisis, he referenced the tragic stampede on the al-A’immah Bridge between al-A'zamiyyah and al-Kadhimiya in Baghdad in 1426 AH, in which rumors led to the loss of more than one thousand lives in a single hour Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M….

Structure and Content

The treatise is organized around scriptural admonitions from the Quran and the Sunnah, systematically categorizing transgressions against individual Muslims and communal cohesion:

• Sins of the Tongue and Social Discord: The treatise discusses vocal sins such as backbiting (ghiba), tale-bearing (namima), lying, false testimony, obscenity, defamation, reviling, and breaking promises Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1. It highlights the obligation of guarding the tongue and outlines practical steps for countering rumors and reforming personal conduct Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1.
• Inward Vices and Rights of Others: The author treats inner spiritual afflictions including rancor (hiqd), envy (hasad), arrogance, and suspicion, contrasting them with the necessity of self-examination (muhasabat al-nafs) Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1. He also addresses violations of interpersonal rights, such as unlawful financial gain, commercial fraud, cheating in examinations, severing ties of kinship, spying, and harming neighbors Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1.
• Critique of Polemical Extremism: The work criticizes contemporary extremists among claimants to religious knowledge who resort to personal abuse, defamation, and slander against opponents during scholarly disputation instead of adhering to Islamic etiquette Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M….
• The Sanctity of Blood and Tribulations (Fitan): A central focus of the work is the prohibition of shedding Muslim blood and the severe warnings against entering civil strife (fitnah) Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1. It details preventive measures established by Islamic law to preserve human life, including religious moral cultivation, fostering positive public ethics, and legal penalties Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1.
• Reconciliation and Brotherhood: The work concludes with the virtue of reconciling disputes (islah dhat al-bayn) and promoting fraternal unity, grounding its closing reflections on the Prophet's ﷺ declaration during the Farewell Pilgrimage: «فإن دماءكم وأموالكم وأعراضكم بينكم حرام» ("Indeed, your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable among you") Hurmat al-Muslim ala al-M…+1.