Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 251
251 Again, a Muslim is required to visit those of his friends and neighbours who may be ill, to console and cheer them. Before entering a house a Muslim must obtain the permission of the inmates, and must greet them with the salutation of peace. If there is no answer, or if those he wants to see are not free to see him, he should come away and not entertain any feeling of annoyance. If a Muslim should chance to hear somebody speak ill of another he should not carry the tale to the latter, for, as the Holy Prophet sa has said, 'A man who slanders another in his absence is like a person who shoots an arrow at another but the arrow misses its mark, and the man who con- veys the slander to the person about whom it was spoken is like a person who directs that arrow to its mark. ' Again, Muslims are enjoined to help in perform- ing the obsequies of a Muslim who dies in their town or village. They must also attend the funeral and arrange the burial, etc. But all of them are not required to go. If, however, none of them goes, all are equally guilty of neglect. Muslims have always regarded the performance of this duty as a special act of piety, and the companions of the Holy Prophet sa used to accompany the funerals even of non-Muslims. Again, Muslims are told to avoid undignified conduct and such conduct as is likely to offend or annoy others. The Holy Quran says that the Muslims should walk in the streets and bazaars in a dignified manner.