In the Islamic perspective, each individual’s body parts and faculties are a trust and deposit from God, granted to humanity to be used properly in the pursuit of spiritual and personal growth. Therefore, not only is a person indebted to their Creator throughout their life, but they are also obligated to fulfill the rights entrusted to them by God through the proper use of their body and faculties. This profound view is eloquently expressed in the words of Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) in his “Risālat al-Ḥuqūq” (Treatise on Rights). In part of this treatise, he outlines the rights of various parts of the human body:
“And the right of the tongue is that you prevent it from speaking evil and train it to speak only good and in a manner of politeness. You should refrain from speaking unless necessary for the benefit of religion or the world, avoid excessive and pointless speech—which leads to nothing but harm—and know that the tongue is the witness to your intellect and thoughts. Speaking beautifully with your tongue is a reflection of the beauty and adornment of wisdom…
The right of the ear is that you prevent it from listening to backbiting or anything that is unlawful or impermissible to hear. Keep it clean for listening to words that fill the heart with goodness, teach noble manners, and lead to virtuous actions, for the ear is the gateway through which words enter the heart, and through it, both good and evil concepts reach the soul…
The right of the eye is that you shield it from looking at what is unlawful, using it only for contemplation, and refrain from indulging in lustful or vain gazing. The eye should either increase your knowledge or enhance your insight, for it is a means of gaining wisdom…
The right of the feet is that you do not use them to walk towards what is unlawful or forbidden, nor should you use them as a means of idleness or trivial pursuits. You must walk with your feet in the path of religion, striving to advance on the righteous way and be steadfast on the straight path, so that they do not lead you astray or into destruction…
The right of your hands is that you do not extend them unjustly to take what does not belong to you, for in doing so, you prepare for yourself the punishment of the Hereafter and open the door to blame in this world. Never withhold your hands from obligatory acts but rather, respect your hands by preventing them from many of what is lawful (such as doubtful or disliked matters) and perform many of the things that are not obligatory (such as recommended actions). As a result, you will gain the respect of your mind and the honor of this world, while securing reward in the Hereafter…
The right of the stomach is that you do not fill it with even a little of what is unlawful and maintain moderation with what is lawful, refraining from overeating and excess that leads to laziness, weakness, and distance from good deeds. Excessive drinking too leads to intoxication and loss of control, guiding one away from moderation, ignorance, and dishonor…
The right of the sexual desire is to guard it from the unlawful and to support it by turning away from the forbidden, which is the best way to preserve it. Moreover, you should frequently remember death and remind your soul of the punishment of God.” [1]
Indeed, according to Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him), a person does not possess absolute ownership over their body parts, for these faculties are divine trusts. Hence, not only should they not be used in any improper way, but one must strive to fulfill the rights of these trusts by using them correctly and appropriately.
(From “A Journey Through Imam Zayn al-Abidin’s Treatise on Rights” by Ayatollah Mir Sayyid Muhammad Yathrabi, with some additions)
Footnote:
[1] Tahf al-Uqūl, page 255.