Source: Sharḥ Kitāb al-Jāmiʿ from Bulūgh al-Marām by Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī
Translated by: Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Salām bin Muḥammad Bhaṭwī
✦ Ḥadīth
وعنه رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم:
إذا طبخت مرقة فأكثر ماءها وتعاهد جيرانك.
[رواه مسلم]
“Abū Dharr (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
When you cook broth, increase its water and take care of your neighbours.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Birr wa al-Ṣilah / 143]
❖ Key Lessons and Benefits
➊ The Importance of Neighbours in Islam
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Jibrīl (عليه السلام) kept advising me regarding the neighbour until I thought he would make him an heir.”
[Muttafaqun ʿalayh]
This highlights the elevated status of neighbours in Islam and the continual divine reminder to treat them well.
➋ Extend Your Blessings to Your Neighbours
- The instruction to increase water in the broth serves a symbolic and practical purpose:
➤ If meat or vegetables are limited, increase the broth so that there’s enough to share.
➤ Don’t focus solely on your personal comfort or taste — include others in your provision. - It goes against generosity (muruwwah) to eat delicious food while a neighbour eats without curry or is in need.
Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A believer is not one who fills his stomach while his neighbour goes hungry beside him.”
[Bayhaqī in Shuʿab al-Īmān – Ḥadīth 4991; graded ḥasan by al-Albānī]
➌ No Gift is Too Small to Offer
- One should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to send even a simple gift to the neighbour.
- The value lies in the gesture and concern — not the quantity or richness.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let no neighbour belittle giving a gift to another, even if it is merely a sheep’s hoof.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Kitāb al-Hibah / 1]
❀ Summary
✔️ Cook with the intent to share
✔️ Include your neighbours in your meals, no matter how humble
✔️ Small acts of kindness carry great reward
✔️ True īmān (faith) includes care and concern for those who live beside us
