‘Amir said “A man came to ‘Abd Allaah bin ‘Amr while the people were with him. He sat with him and said “Tell me anything that you heard from the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ)”. He said “I hears the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) say “A Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the Muslims remain safe and an emigrant is he who abandons what Allaah has prohibited.””
Hadith Commentary: The Essence of Islam and Hijrah
This noble narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2481, transmitted through 'Amir from 'Abdullah bin 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with them), contains two profound definitions that encapsulate the core of Islamic conduct and spiritual migration.
Definition of a True Muslim
The Prophet (ﷺ) defined a Muslim as "one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims remain safe." This establishes that true Islam manifests in physical and verbal harmlessness toward fellow believers. The tongue's safety means avoiding backbiting, slander, false testimony, and hurtful speech. The hand's safety encompasses all physical actions - not stealing, striking, or oppressing others.
Scholars explain this extends beyond mere non-aggression to positive protection of Muslim lives, honor, and property. Imam Nawawi commented that this hadith establishes the fundamental principle that preserving Muslim welfare is among the highest religious obligations.
The Spiritual Dimension of Hijrah
The Prophet (ﷺ) redefined emigration (hijrah) as "abandoning what Allah has prohibited." While physical hijrah from lands of disbelief remains legislated, this teaching elevates the concept to its spiritual essence. True migration is the soul's journey away from disobedience toward obedience.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explained this includes abandoning shirk, innovations, and all sins - major and minor. This hijrah is continuous until death, unlike the physical migration which concludes upon reaching Islamic lands. The greatest hijrah is migrating from what Allah hates to what He loves.
Practical Implications
This hadith teaches that Islamic identity is defined by action, not mere claim. One cannot be considered a complete Muslim while harming others physically or verbally. Similarly, true faith requires constant spiritual migration from prohibited matters.
The comprehensive nature of these definitions covers both external conduct (safety from harm) and internal purification (abandoning prohibitions). Together, they form the complete picture of Islamic practice - outward protection of creation and inward obedience to the Creator.