Mukhtasar Muslim

Ma’rur bin Suwaid says: We went to Abu Dharr Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) at (the place) Rabadhah. He was wearing a cloak, and his servant was also wearing a similar cloak. So we said, “O Abu Dharr! If you took both these cloaks, it would make a (proper) garment.” He said: There was a quarrel between me and one of my brothers. His mother was a non-Arab, so I insulted him by mentioning his mother. He complained about me to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When I met the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said, “O Abu Dharr! You still have some traces of ignorance (i.e., the influence of the pre-Islamic era when people used to take pride in their parents and looked down upon the parents of others).” I said, “O Messenger of Allah! Whoever insults people, they will insult his parents.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “O Abu Dharr! You still have some traces of ignorance (i.e., if he insulted you, the recompense was that you insult him back, not his parents). They are your brothers (from this it is understood that he was a servant, but Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) called him a brother because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also called them brothers). Allah Almighty has placed them under your authority (i.e., in your possession). Feed them what you eat yourself, and clothe them with what you wear yourself, and do not burden them beyond their capacity. If you assign them a task, then help them with it.”