On one occasion Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked the Sahabah y: “Do you know who is a pauper?” The Sahabah y replied: “A pauper is a person who does not have any wealth or possessions.” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “The true pauper of my Ummat is the person who will come on the Day of Qiyamah with lots of Salah, Zakah, Fast, Hajj, etc. However, claims will be levelled against him that he had sworn a certain person, usurped the wealth of a certain person, shed the blood of another person and had caused injury to another person. He will be seated and Allah will transfer the good deeds of the defendant to the claimants as compensation. If his good deeds expire before compensation is complete, then the sins of those he offended will be transferred to him and he will be thrown into Jahannam (the fire).” (Sahih ibn Hibban)

The message contained in this Hadith impresses that one cannot suffice purely on good deeds but must be cautious about the rights and obligations of others.

To usurp the rights of people whether it is in the form of wealth, honour or life is a grievous sin.