Adab al-Mufrad

Benefits and Issues:
➊ The stronger a person's faith (iman) is, the more he fulfills the rights of Allah, the Exalted, and His servants. Taking care of the needs of neighbors and being aware of their circumstances is evidence of a Muslim's being a believer (mumin), and negligence in this regard is proof of deficient faith. A person who sleeps with a full stomach and is not even aware that his neighbor beside him is dying of hunger—such a person cannot be a true believer, so hard-hearted and selfish. His faith will compel him to share his food and wealth with his neighbor.

➋ If Muslims were to adopt the above statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), perhaps no Muslim would remain hungry, and the anarchy and insecurity spread throughout society would come to an end. Selfishness is such a cancer that, when it enters a society, it destroys it despite the presence of wealth and riches. In contrast, self-sacrifice and altruism give rise to an atmosphere of love, and everyone feels secure, and poverty and destitution cannot cause them to despair of life. But unfortunately, today the social structure has completely changed. The wealthy feel insulted to live among the poor; they consider it degrading to maintain relations and connections with them. The rich and the poor have formed separate societies. Therefore, in the present era, this issue has become extremely important and needs to be rectified. The wealthy class is so intoxicated by their wealth that, in their eyes, the commands of Allah and His Messenger have no significance left.

➌ Shaykh al-Albani (rahimahullah) states that from this hadith it is understood that it is forbidden (haram) to eat one's fill while leaving one's neighbors hungry (al-Sahihah, under hadith: 149). But our situation is such that the poor long for a morsel, while even the dogs of the rich in the city live in luxury. This entire situation is due to the absence of faith (iman).