UNDERSTANDING THE RIGHT OF ALLAH: A QURANIC AND SUNNAH-BASED PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This article aims to explore the concept of rights in the Qur’an, with a particular focus on Ḥaqq Allāh (the rights of God), which represent the most fundamental category of rights from a Qur’anic perspective. While previous discussions on rights often emphasize human and legal dimensions, this study addresses a gap in Qur’anic scholarship by examining how divine rights are articulated and classified within the sacred text. The research adopts a qualitative, thematic analysis of selected Qur’anic verses and relevant Prophetic traditions (aḥādīth) to identify and categorise the components of Ḥaqq Allāh. Primary sources include the Qur’an, classical and modern tafsīr (exegesis), and authenticated ḥadīth compilations. The analysis is divided into two main categories: (1) the rights of God in matters of belief (ʿaqīdah) and (2) the rights of God in matters of Islamic law (sharīʿah). The study finds that Ḥaqq Allāh encompasses foundational theological obligations, including monotheism, belief in messengers, divine decree, the unseen, and the afterlife. These are complemented by ritual obligations such as prayer, fasting, zakat, and pilgrimage, which serve as legal expressions of servitude to God. The findings highlight that the recognition and fulfilment of these rights form the cornerstone of Islamic faith and practice, reflecting a divine-human relationship rooted in submission, gratitude, and accountability. This research contributes to Qur’anic studies by providing a structured framework for understanding divine rights, offering insights relevant to scholars of Islamic theology, ethics, and law.