Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to do seven (things): to visit the sick, to follow the funeral processions, to say Tashmit to a sneezer, to help the weak, to help the oppressed ones, to propagate As-Salam (greeting), and to help others to fulfill their oaths (if it is not sinful). He forbade us to drink from silver utensils, to wear gold rings, to ride on silken saddles, to wear silk clothes, Dibaj (thick silk cloth), Qassiy and Istabraq (two kinds of silk). (See Hadith No. 539, Vol. 7)
Hadith Commentary: The Seven Commandments & Prohibitions
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (6235) contains profound guidance from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), encompassing both affirmative commands (al-amr) and prohibitions (al-nahy). It serves as a comprehensive code for social conduct and spiritual refinement.
Commentary on the Seven Commands
Visiting the Sick: This act embodies the spirit of brotherhood and compassion in Islam. It is a right of one Muslim over another, strengthening communal bonds and earning immense reward, as it reminds the healthy of Allah's blessing and offers comfort to the ailing.
Following Funeral Processions: This is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) that demonstrates respect for the deceased and serves as a powerful reminder of mortality (al-mawt), encouraging preparation for the Hereafter.
Saying 'Yarhamuk-Allah' to a Sneezing Muslim: This is a Sunnah that fosters love and goodwill. When a Muslim sneezes and praises Allah, the response is a supplication for mercy, completing an act of shared remembrance of the Creator.
Helping the Weak and Oppressed: This command establishes social justice. Helping the weak refers to physical or financial assistance, while aiding the oppressed involves using one's influence or strength to establish justice, a duty of paramount importance.
Propagating As-Salam (Greeting of Peace): "As-Salamu Alaikum" is more than a greeting; it is a prayer for peace and safety. Its propagation spreads tranquility and love, acting as a key to entering Paradise.
Helping Others Fulfill Their Oaths: This refers to assisting a brother who has sworn to do a permissible thing but finds it difficult. One should help him fulfill it or, according to another interpretation, guide him to the expiation (kaffarah) for an unfulfilled oath, thus facilitating ease and preventing sin.
Commentary on the Prohibitions
Forbidden for Men: Silver Vessels, Gold Rings, and Silk: The prohibition for men of drinking from silver and gold vessels, wearing gold rings, and wearing silk garments (including Dibaj, Qassiy, and Istabraq) is rooted in the principles of moderation, avoiding extravagance, and preventing arrogance (kibr). These luxuries are permissible for women to enjoy as adornment, but are forbidden for men to preserve masculine dignity and simplicity.
Riding on Silken Saddles: This prohibition extends the ruling on silk to items one uses, ensuring a complete avoidance of this luxury and display of pride, even in one's means of transportation.
Overall Wisdom and Legal Rulings
The seven commands collectively build a cohesive, compassionate, and morally upright society. The prohibitions guard against moral and spiritual decay stemming from luxury and pride. The hadith masterfully combines directives that nurture the soul's connection with Allah and its duties towards fellow human beings, illustrating the comprehensive nature of Islamic law.