Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet ﷺ said: The believer is the believer's mirror, and the believer is the believer's brother who guards him against loss and protects him when he is absent.
Related hadith on this topic
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
It is not permissible to publicize the faults of a Muslim brother; however, one should certainly advise him in an appropriate manner, quietly, so that he may reform himself.
Furthermore, it is obligatory to wish well for him in every way, whether he is present or absent.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4918
Shaykh Safi ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri
Takhrij:
«أخرجه أبوداود، الأدب، باب في النصيحة والحياطة، حديث:4918.»©Explanation:
➊ The meaning is that just as a mirror presents the virtues and flaws of the one looking into it without any addition or omission, in the same way, a believer serves as a mirror for his fellow believer. Thus, he alerts his brother to his faults and shortcomings, warning him so that he may rectify himself.
➋ The mirror only informs the one looking into it; it does not gossip about him in front of others.
➌ The mirror only shows as many faults and flaws as are actually present in the appearance of the one looking into it; it does not add or subtract anything from itself, and it presents them in his presence, not mentioning them in his absence or behind his back. In the same way, a believer should mention his brother’s faults in his presence, not in his absence, and only as many faults as are truly found in him, without any addition or omission from himself.
➍ Even when the mirror is broken into pieces, each piece still shows the same faults of the one looking into it as are actually present. Similarly, even if a believer becomes displeased with his brother, he should only mention as many faults as are truly found in him.
➎ The mirror does not lose its essence even when broken; likewise, a believer should not lose his own essence. And the other believer should consider being alerted to his faults as sincere goodwill and genuine sympathy for himself.
Source: Bulugh al-Maram: Commentary by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Page: 1329