Source: Sharḥ Kitāb al-Jāmiʿ from Bulūgh al-Marām by Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī
Translated by: Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbd al-Salām bin Muḥammad Bhaṭwī
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]
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.
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]
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]
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
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