Prohibition of Harming Muslims and Its Consequences

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

❖ Ḥadīth​

عن أبي صرمة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم:
من ضارّ مسلماً ضارّه الله، ومن شاقّ مسلماً شقّ الله عليه.

"Abū Ṣirmah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever causes harm to a Muslim, Allah will harm him; and whoever opposes a Muslim (with hostility), Allah will subject him to hardship."


Narrated by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan.

Referencing​

• Abū Dāwūd 3635
• Tirmidhī 1940 – though the word "Muslim" is not explicitly mentioned in his version
• Declared ḥasan li-ghayrihi (sound due to supporting evidence) despite minor weakness in the chain
• Supporting narration: “Lā ḍarar wa-lā ḍirār” — “There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm.”
  Refer to Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl [896]
• Also see Tuḥfat al-Ashrāf 9/228

✿ Vocabulary & Explanation​

• ضَارَّ (from باب مفاعلة): To intentionally harm someone — implies deliberate action aimed at causing distress or loss.
  ⚠ If harm is caused unintentionally, or as part of lawful punishment or justice (ḥadd or taʿzīr), it is not counted as muḍārrah.
• شَاقَّ (from شقّ - to split): To deliberately stand in hostile opposition, i.e., taking a separate side out of enmity.
  Similar usage appears in "ومن يشاقق الرسول" – “And whoever opposes the Messenger…”
  Meaning: taking a path contrary to that of the believer.

Key Benefits​

➊ The Muslim is a Friend of Allah​

• Allah is the Guardian of the believers:
  "اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا"
  “Allah is the ally of those who believe.”
  [al-Baqarah 2:257]
• Allah loves His believing slaves:
  "فَسَوْفَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِقَوْمٍ يُحِبُّهُمْ وَيُحِبُّونَهُ"
  “Soon Allah will bring forth a people whom He loves and they love Him.”
  [al-Māʾidah 5:54]

Whoever harms a believer — a friend of Allah — invites Allah's anger and divine retribution upon himself.

➋ The Rule of Equivalent Retribution​

This ḥadīth exemplifies a universal principle in Islam:


"الجزاء من جنس العمل"
“The recompense is of the same nature as the deed.”


✔ Whoever causes deliberate harm to another Muslim will be harmed by Allah
✔ Whoever adopts an attitude of unjust opposition, Allah will make his path difficult


⚠ This applies to all forms of harm:

• Physical harm
• Verbal abuse
• Undermining honor or wealth
• Systematic opposition rooted in enmity, not truth

➌ Note on Companion Abū Ṣirmah (رضي الله عنه)​

• Known primarily by his kunyah
• His actual name is disputed
• Belongs to Banū Māzin ibn al-Najjār
• Participated in Badr and all subsequent battles
  (Siyar & al-Ṣubul al-Hudā wa-l-Rashād)

❖ Summary​

✔ Intentionally harming a Muslim is a grave sin
✔ Opposing a believer out of pride, jealousy, or enmity invites divine hardship
✔ A true believer should be a source of relief, peace, and protection for others
✔ Harmful behavior violates the sanctity of brotherhood and the rights Allah has granted to Muslims