Righteous Deeds in Islam: Feeding the Hungry, Visiting the Sick, and Freeing Captives

Based on the book “Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Imām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām” by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abū al-Fatḥ, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar

◈ Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ on Righteous Acts​

Narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash‘ariؓ:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and free the captives."
(Reported in Sahih al-Bukhari)

References:
Bukhari: 7173, 5649, 5373, 5174, 3046

❀ Key Virtues Highlighted in the Hadith​

① Feeding the Hungry

• Providing food to the needy is among the greatest acts of charity and righteousness in Islam.
• It fulfills a basic human necessity and brings immense reward.

② Visiting the Sick (ʿIyādah al-Marīḍ)

• A religious and ethical duty upon Muslims.
• It offers comfort, boosts morale, and fosters community bonds.
• The Prophet ﷺ emphasized this as one of the rights of a Muslim over another.

③ Freeing the Captive (Fakk al-ʿĀnī)

• Releasing prisoners, especially unjustly held captives or those imprisoned due to financial inability, is a noble obligation.
• This includes freeing slaves, paying off debts, and working for the release of oppressed individuals.

✿ Additional Reflections​

➊ Feeding the hungry not only fulfills their physical need but earns the pleasure of Allah ﷻ. It is an act beloved by all Prophets and righteous people.

➋ Visiting the sick reflects the caring and compassionate spirit of Islam. It connects hearts, consoles the afflicted, and brings rewards in both worlds.

➌ Freeing captives is a sign of a strong and just Ummah. Islam teaches us to value human dignity and to stand against oppression and imprisonment, especially when fellow Muslims are in unjust captivity.