Like for Your Muslim Brother What You Like for Yourself

Written by: Fadheelat Ash-Sheikh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (may Allah preserve him)

Hadith​

On the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), he narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"By the One in whose hand is my soul, no servant truly believes until he loves for his neighbor or his brother what he loves for himself." [Agreed upon by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Reference: [Bukhari 13], [Muslim Al-Iman 72]

This Hadith in Muslim contains a slight uncertainty in the wording: "until he loves for his brother or said for his neighbor," indicating some doubt regarding whether the word used was "brother" or "neighbor." In Sahih Bukhari, however, there is no such uncertainty, and the wording is clear: "until he loves for his brother."

Abu Nu'aim, in Al-Mustakhraj, narrated from the chain of Ibrahim Al-Harbi, through Musaddad (who was a teacher of Al-Bukhari in Hadith), from Yahya Al-Qattan, from Hussain Al-Muallim (who narrated from Qatadah, from Anas) that the Hadith includes the words: "no servant truly believes until he loves for his brother and his neighbor."

Al-Ismaili, through the chain of Ruh from Hussain, narrated the following words: "until he loves for his Muslim brother what he loves for himself of goodness." From this, we understand that the "brother" mentioned refers to a Muslim brother. [Fath al-Bari]

Benefits​

➊ The phrase "does not truly believe" in this Hadith refers to the fact that one does not attain complete or perfect faith. Just as it is said that a certain person is not really human, it does not mean they are outside the fold of humanity. Similarly, other verses and Hadiths confirm that lacking a particular characteristic or quality does not completely remove a person from faith.

➋ In this Hadith, it is considered essential to like for your Muslim brother or neighbor what you like for yourself. Ibn al-Salah stated that while this may sometimes seem difficult or even impossible, it becomes achievable when one genuinely wishes that the blessing they receive is also granted to their brother without diminishing their own. Additionally, just as Allah has favored them, they should wish for Allah's favor upon their brother. This level of sincerity and goodness can be attained by those with a pure heart, free from deception, envy, and malice. May Allah keep us and our brothers in well-being. [An-Nawawi]

Likewise, this level is achieved by humble individuals. Those who always desire to be above others in every matter cannot reach this rank.

"That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltation upon the earth nor corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous." [Al-Qasas: 83]
 
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