Ibn 'Abbas told Ibn az-Zubayr, "I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, 'A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.'"
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) establishes a profound connection between faith and social responsibility. The statement "A man is not a believer" employs powerful rhetorical negation, indicating that neglecting a hungry neighbor constitutes a severe deficiency in one's faith (iman), though not necessarily its complete nullification.
The Nature of Faith (Iman)
True faith is not merely a collection of rituals but manifests in moral conduct and social consciousness. The Prophet (ﷺ) links the perfection of faith to the fulfillment of rights owed to others, particularly the neighbor. A believer's faith remains incomplete if they can indulge in satiety while aware of a neighbor's hunger.
The Rights of the Neighbor
Islamic law grants neighbors significant rights. This hadith emphasizes the most basic right: protection from hunger. The duty extends beyond mere abstention from harm to active benevolence. The proximity of a neighbor makes their need a direct claim upon one's wealth and conscience.
Spiritual and Social Implications
This teaching cultivates empathy and breaks the barriers of selfishness. It fosters a community where members are their brothers' keepers. A society that heeds this principle is protected from the moral decay and social stratification that arise from indifference to the suffering of those closest to us.
Practical Application
Scholars deduce that this obligation is proportional to one's capacity. The minimum requirement is to offer what alleviates the neighbor's dire need. The broader principle is to be aware of our neighbors' circumstances and to extend help in all forms of goodness, making their well-being a reflection of our own faith.