Hadith 35: The brotherhood of Islam

1. Read

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم لَا تَحَاسَدُوا، وَلَا تَنَاجَشُوا، وَلَا تَبَاغَضُوا، وَلَا تَدَابَرُوا، وَلَا يَبِعْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَيْعِ بَعْضٍ، وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إخْوَانًا، الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ، لَا يَظْلِمُهُ، وَلَا يَخْذُلُهُ، وَلَا يَكْذِبُهُ، وَلَا يَحْقِرُهُ، التَّقْوَى هَاهُنَا، وَيُشِيرُ إلَى صَدْرِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ، بِحَسْبِ امْرِئٍ مِنْ الشَّرِّ أَنْ يَحْقِرَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ، كُلُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ حَرَامٌ: دَمُهُ وَمَالُهُ وَعِرْضُهُ . [رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ]

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Do not envy one another, and do not inflate prices for one another, and do not hate one another, and do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another in trade, but [rather] be slaves of Allah and brothers [amongst yourselves]. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he does not oppress him, nor does he fail him, nor does he lie to him, nor does he hold him in contempt. Taqwa (piety) is right here [and he pointed to his chest three times]. It is evil enough for a man to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. The whole of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honour.”

Narrated by: Abu Hurayrah
Source: Muslim
Grade: Sahih

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2. Understand

• Who narrated this hadith, and which book did Imam an-Nawawi take it from?
• What does it command, forbid or describe? Say it in one sentence of your own.
• Which words are the Prophet's own, and which are the narrator setting the scene?

Take the explanation of this hadith from a qualified teacher or a recognised commentary. The aim here is that you know the text precisely before you hear it explained.

3. Reflect

Where does this hadith meet your own life this week? Write it in the notes box on the hadith's page; only you can see it.

4. Memorise

Learn the Prophet's words in Arabic, phrase by phrase, aloud. When you can recite them without looking, mark the hadith Memorised and it will be scheduled for revision.

5. Act

Choose one specific thing to do, or to stop doing, because of this hadith. Small and kept is better than large and dropped.