Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمه الله)
Chapter: حسن السلوك بالخادم والمملوك (Good Conduct Towards Servants and Slaves)
"I saw Abu Dharr wearing a cloak and his servant also wearing a similar cloak. I said, 'If you were to take this (cloak) for yourself and give your servant another garment, it would become a proper set of clothes for you.' Abu Dharr replied: 'There was once a dispute between me and another man, whose mother was of non-Arab origin. I insulted her, and he complained about this to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Did you insult his mother?" I said, "Yes." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Indeed, you have traits of ignorance in you." I asked, "Even at my old age, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "Yes. These (servants) are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. So, whoever has his brother under his authority should feed him what he eats and clothe him with what he wears, and do not burden him with tasks beyond his ability. If you assign him something too difficult, then assist him in it."'
[Agreed Upon: Bukhari 6050, Muslim 1661, Abu Dawood 5157]
"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to emphasize kindness towards slaves, saying, 'Feed them what you eat, clothe them with what you wear, and do not harm Allah's creation.'"
[Hasan: Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 188, 199]
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Food and clothing are the rights of a slave. Do not assign tasks to them beyond their capacity.'"
[Authentic: Muslim 662:41]
"When your servant brings food to you, if you cannot seat him with you to eat, then give him a morsel or two, or a bite or two, for he has endured the hardship of preparing it."
[Authentic: Bukhari 2557]
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When your servant prepares food for you, enduring the heat and smoke of its preparation, you should sit with him and eat. If the food is insufficient to accommodate all, then give him at least a morsel or two.'"
[Authentic: Muslim 1663:42]
"Yes. If anyone among you dislikes eating with his servant, he should at least place a morsel in his hand to eat."
[Hasan: Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 198]
Chapter: حسن السلوك بالخادم والمملوك (Good Conduct Towards Servants and Slaves)
Guidance on Treating Servants and Slaves Kindly
Narration from Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Dharr reported:"I saw Abu Dharr wearing a cloak and his servant also wearing a similar cloak. I said, 'If you were to take this (cloak) for yourself and give your servant another garment, it would become a proper set of clothes for you.' Abu Dharr replied: 'There was once a dispute between me and another man, whose mother was of non-Arab origin. I insulted her, and he complained about this to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) said to me, "Did you insult his mother?" I said, "Yes." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Indeed, you have traits of ignorance in you." I asked, "Even at my old age, O Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "Yes. These (servants) are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. So, whoever has his brother under his authority should feed him what he eats and clothe him with what he wears, and do not burden him with tasks beyond his ability. If you assign him something too difficult, then assist him in it."'
[Agreed Upon: Bukhari 6050, Muslim 1661, Abu Dawood 5157]
Narration from Jabir ibn Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
Jabir reported:"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to emphasize kindness towards slaves, saying, 'Feed them what you eat, clothe them with what you wear, and do not harm Allah's creation.'"
[Hasan: Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 188, 199]
Narration from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Hurairah reported:"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Food and clothing are the rights of a slave. Do not assign tasks to them beyond their capacity.'"
[Authentic: Muslim 662:41]
Narration from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Hurairah reported:"When your servant brings food to you, if you cannot seat him with you to eat, then give him a morsel or two, or a bite or two, for he has endured the hardship of preparing it."
[Authentic: Bukhari 2557]
Another Narration from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
Abu Hurairah reported:"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'When your servant prepares food for you, enduring the heat and smoke of its preparation, you should sit with him and eat. If the food is insufficient to accommodate all, then give him at least a morsel or two.'"
[Authentic: Muslim 1663:42]
Narration from Abu Zubair:
Abu Zubair reported that he heard a man asking Jabir about servants and whether the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded kindness towards them due to their hardships. Jabir replied:"Yes. If anyone among you dislikes eating with his servant, he should at least place a morsel in his hand to eat."
[Hasan: Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 198]
Key Teachings:
- Equality in Provision: Feed and clothe your servants with the same quality as you eat and wear.
- No Overburdening: Do not assign tasks beyond their capabilities; assist them if necessary.
- Kindness in Everyday Interactions: Include them in meals, and if not possible, ensure they are fed adequately.
- Recognizing Their Hard Work: Appreciate their efforts and reward them with fair treatment.