✍ Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi | Jeddah Da’wah Center, Hayy as-Salamah – Saudi Arabia
Allah, the Lord of Glory, sent Muhammad ﷺ as a mercy to all mankind. His entire life was a manifestation of compassion and gentleness. In all interactions—whether in conversation, transactions, work, or other affairs—he demonstrated excellent conduct (ḥusn al-muʿāmalah). The divine model established by Allah in his life is perfectly reflected in both his Makkan and Madinan periods.
In this article, we explore how the Prophet ﷺ treated his servants. The subject includes references from the Qur’an and Sunnah to three categories of service-based individuals:
While slavery no longer exists, the other two categories remain relevant, and all three fall under the general class of social service providers. We will first explore the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ regarding the rights of servants, followed by practical examples from his life.
A hired servant must be paid promptly and without delay.
أعطوا الأجيرَ أجرَهُ قبلَ أن يجفَّ عرقُهُ
“Pay the laborer his wages before his sweat dries.”
Those who fail to pay laborers will face Allah’s prosecution on the Day of Judgment.
قالَ اللَّهُ تَعالَى: ثَلاثَةٌ أنا خَصْمُهُمْ يَومَ القِيامَةِ...
“…One who hires a laborer, takes full work from him but does not pay him his due.”
Servants must not be assigned work beyond their capacity. If assigned a difficult task, the employer must assist them.
إخوانُكم جعلَهمُ اللَّهُ فتيةً تحتَ أيديكم...
“They are your brothers whom Allah has placed under your authority. Feed them from what you eat, clothe them as you clothe yourselves, and do not burden them with what overpowers them. If you do, assist them.”
This teaching promotes a brotherly relationship with servants, avoiding humiliating or oppressive behavior.
إنْ أحسَنوا فاقبَلوا ، وإنْ أساؤوا فاعفُوا...
“If they do good, accept it. If they err, forgive them.”
A servant's mistake should be forgiven even seventy times in a day.
قالَ: كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً
“Forgive him seventy times a day.”
ومَن لم يلائَمْكم منهم فبِيعوه ولا تعذِّبوا خلقَ اللهِ
“If a slave does not suit you, sell him, but do not torture Allah’s creation.”
The Prophet ﷺ also forbade hitting the face of a servant.
إذا ضرب أحدُكم خادمَه ، فلْيَجْتَنِبِ الوَجْهَ
Islam prohibits calling slaves or servants by degrading titles.
لَا يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ: عَبْدِي...
“Let no one say: ‘my slave,’ for you are all slaves of Allah…”
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged sharing meals with servants as a sign of humility.
فَلْيُقْعِدْهُ معهُ، فَلْيَأْكُلْ...
“Let him sit the servant with him and eat with him...”
Baseless accusations against servants are punishable on the Day of Judgment.
مَن قَذَفَ مَمْلُوكَهُ... جُلِدَ يَومَ القِيَامَةِ
Servants are also eligible for charity.
تصدَّق بِهِ على خادمِكَ
“Give it as charity to your servant.”
Also see
The Prophet ﷺ warned against cursing servants.
لَا يَكُونُ اللَّعَّانُونَ شُفَعَاءَ...
“Those who curse excessively will not intercede or bear witness on the Day of Judgment.”
اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِيمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ
“Fear Allah in the matter of those under your authority.”
Many servants are recorded in the Seerah, such as Anas ibn Mālik, Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ, Rabīʿah ibn Kaʿb, and others. Let’s explore how the Prophet ﷺ treated them:
Zayd preferred the company of the Prophet ﷺ over returning with his own brother.
وَاللَّهِ لا أختارُ عليكَ أحدًا
“By Allah! I will not prefer anyone over you.”
He would share food and drink with his servants.
ما ضربَ رسولُ اللهِ خادِمًا ولا امرأةً قطُّ
“He never struck a servant or a woman.”
اللَّهُمَّ أكْثِرْ مَالَهُ، ووَلَدَهُ...
“O Allah! Increase his wealth and offspring...”
ألكَ حاجةٌ ؟
“Do you have any need?”
سَلْ فَقُلتُ: أسْأَلُكَ مُرَافَقَتَكَ في الجَنَّةِ
“Ask what you want.”
“I ask for your companionship in Jannah.”
ما قَالَ لِي لِشَيْءٍ... لِمَ صَنَعْتَ؟
“He never once asked why I did or didn’t do something.”
فأتَاهُ النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يَعُودُهُ...
“The Prophet visited a sick Jewish servant and invited him to Islam.”
The Prophet ﷺ displayed fairness when a servant broke a dish during a quarrel between co-wives.
Even city-wide servants of Madinah received honor from the Prophet ﷺ.
فَيَغْمِسُ يَدَهُ فِيهَا
“He would dip his hand in their containers even on cold mornings.”
لَتَأْخُذُ بيَدِ رَسولِ اللَّهِ...
“A slave-girl could take his hand and lead him wherever she wished.”
The article concludes by listing weak or fabricated hadiths related to servants to avoid their propagation.
Some examples:
And others listed with references by scholars like al-Albānī and Ibn Ḥajar.
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated unmatched compassion, justice, and respect toward his servants. His actions serve as a perfect model for all Muslims. In light of these teachings, every Muslim should examine their treatment of subordinates, domestic workers, and those under their authority, and strive to adopt the Prophetic character (akhlaq al-nubuwwah).
❖ The Prophet ﷺ and His Exemplary Treatment of Servants
◈ Introduction
Allah, the Lord of Glory, sent Muhammad ﷺ as a mercy to all mankind. His entire life was a manifestation of compassion and gentleness. In all interactions—whether in conversation, transactions, work, or other affairs—he demonstrated excellent conduct (ḥusn al-muʿāmalah). The divine model established by Allah in his life is perfectly reflected in both his Makkan and Madinan periods.
In this article, we explore how the Prophet ﷺ treated his servants. The subject includes references from the Qur’an and Sunnah to three categories of service-based individuals:
- Slaves (male and female) captured in battle and considered property.
- Servants employed either through wages or voluntarily without slavery.
- Laborers hired for limited tasks or durations in exchange for payment.
While slavery no longer exists, the other two categories remain relevant, and all three fall under the general class of social service providers. We will first explore the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ regarding the rights of servants, followed by practical examples from his life.
❖ Prophetic Teachings on the Rights of Servants
① Timely Payment of Wages
A hired servant must be paid promptly and without delay.
أعطوا الأجيرَ أجرَهُ قبلَ أن يجفَّ عرقُهُ
“Pay the laborer his wages before his sweat dries.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah: 1995
② Withholding Wages is a Major Sin
Those who fail to pay laborers will face Allah’s prosecution on the Day of Judgment.
قالَ اللَّهُ تَعالَى: ثَلاثَةٌ أنا خَصْمُهُمْ يَومَ القِيامَةِ...
“…One who hires a laborer, takes full work from him but does not pay him his due.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2270
③ Do Not Overburden Servants
Servants must not be assigned work beyond their capacity. If assigned a difficult task, the employer must assist them.
إخوانُكم جعلَهمُ اللَّهُ فتيةً تحتَ أيديكم...
“They are your brothers whom Allah has placed under your authority. Feed them from what you eat, clothe them as you clothe yourselves, and do not burden them with what overpowers them. If you do, assist them.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī: 1945
④ Treat Servants Like Brothers
This teaching promotes a brotherly relationship with servants, avoiding humiliating or oppressive behavior.
⑤ Maintain High Character Even If the Servant Misbehaves
إنْ أحسَنوا فاقبَلوا ، وإنْ أساؤوا فاعفُوا...
“If they do good, accept it. If they err, forgive them.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb: 2283
⑥ Forgive Repeated Mistakes
A servant's mistake should be forgiven even seventy times in a day.
قالَ: كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً
“Forgive him seventy times a day.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī: 1948
⑦ Prohibited to Strike or Abuse Servants
ومَن لم يلائَمْكم منهم فبِيعوه ولا تعذِّبوا خلقَ اللهِ
“If a slave does not suit you, sell him, but do not torture Allah’s creation.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 5161
The Prophet ﷺ also forbade hitting the face of a servant.
إذا ضرب أحدُكم خادمَه ، فلْيَجْتَنِبِ الوَجْهَ
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Adab al-Mufrad: 130
⑧ Avoid Humiliating Language
Islam prohibits calling slaves or servants by degrading titles.
لَا يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ: عَبْدِي...
“Let no one say: ‘my slave,’ for you are all slaves of Allah…”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2249
⑨ Eat With Your Servants
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged sharing meals with servants as a sign of humility.
فَلْيُقْعِدْهُ معهُ، فَلْيَأْكُلْ...
“Let him sit the servant with him and eat with him...”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1663
⑩ Do Not Slander Servants
Baseless accusations against servants are punishable on the Day of Judgment.
مَن قَذَفَ مَمْلُوكَهُ... جُلِدَ يَومَ القِيَامَةِ
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6858
⑪ Give Charity to Servants
Servants are also eligible for charity.
تصدَّق بِهِ على خادمِكَ
“Give it as charity to your servant.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 1691
Also see
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah: 1752
⑫ Do Not Curse Servants
The Prophet ﷺ warned against cursing servants.
لَا يَكُونُ اللَّعَّانُونَ شُفَعَاءَ...
“Those who curse excessively will not intercede or bear witness on the Day of Judgment.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2598
⑬ Prophet's Final Advice
اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ فِيمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ
“Fear Allah in the matter of those under your authority.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 5156
❖ The Prophet’s ﷺ Own Treatment of His Servants
Many servants are recorded in the Seerah, such as Anas ibn Mālik, Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ, Rabīʿah ibn Kaʿb, and others. Let’s explore how the Prophet ﷺ treated them:
✿ Zayd ibn Hārithah’s Loyalty
Zayd preferred the company of the Prophet ﷺ over returning with his own brother.
وَاللَّهِ لا أختارُ عليكَ أحدًا
“By Allah! I will not prefer anyone over you.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tirmidhī: 3815
✿ Feeding His Servants
He would share food and drink with his servants.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2004
✿ Never Hit a Servant
ما ضربَ رسولُ اللهِ خادِمًا ولا امرأةً قطُّ
“He never struck a servant or a woman.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 4786
✿ Prayed for Servants
اللَّهُمَّ أكْثِرْ مَالَهُ، ووَلَدَهُ...
“O Allah! Increase his wealth and offspring...”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6344
✿ Showed Concern for Their Needs
ألكَ حاجةٌ ؟
“Do you have any need?”
Reference: Silsilah Ṣaḥīḥah: 2102
✿ Rabīʿah ibn Kaʿb’s Story
سَلْ فَقُلتُ: أسْأَلُكَ مُرَافَقَتَكَ في الجَنَّةِ
“Ask what you want.”
“I ask for your companionship in Jannah.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 489
✿ Anas's Ten-Year Service
ما قَالَ لِي لِشَيْءٍ... لِمَ صَنَعْتَ؟
“He never once asked why I did or didn’t do something.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2768
✿ Visiting Sick Servants
فأتَاهُ النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ يَعُودُهُ...
“The Prophet visited a sick Jewish servant and invited him to Islam.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1356
✿ Justice Between Co-wives' Servants
The Prophet ﷺ displayed fairness when a servant broke a dish during a quarrel between co-wives.
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5225
✿ Dignity for All Workers
Even city-wide servants of Madinah received honor from the Prophet ﷺ.
فَيَغْمِسُ يَدَهُ فِيهَا
“He would dip his hand in their containers even on cold mornings.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2324
لَتَأْخُذُ بيَدِ رَسولِ اللَّهِ...
“A slave-girl could take his hand and lead him wherever she wished.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6072
❖ Fabricated & Weak Narrations about Servants
The article concludes by listing weak or fabricated hadiths related to servants to avoid their propagation.
Some examples:
- “If the servant takes Allah’s name during punishment, stop hitting him.” Reference: Ḍaʿīf al-Tirmidhī: 1950
- “Eating with the servant is a sign of humility.” Reference: Ḍaʿīf al-Jāmiʿ: 2291(Fabricated)
And others listed with references by scholars like al-Albānī and Ibn Ḥajar.
Summary
The Prophet ﷺ demonstrated unmatched compassion, justice, and respect toward his servants. His actions serve as a perfect model for all Muslims. In light of these teachings, every Muslim should examine their treatment of subordinates, domestic workers, and those under their authority, and strive to adopt the Prophetic character (akhlaq al-nubuwwah).
