The Hadith of Brotherhood

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself." (Sahih al-Bukhari 13)

Commentary on the Text

This profound hadith establishes the golden rule of Islamic ethics and serves as a fundamental criterion for genuine faith (iman). The phrase "none of you will have faith" indicates that complete faith cannot be attained without this essential quality of brotherly love and empathy.

The specification "for his Muslim brother" emphasizes the special bond of Islamic brotherhood (ukhuwwah islamiyyah), while the broader application extends to all humanity according to many scholars. The wording "what he likes for himself" requires active wishing of good for others, not merely refraining from harm.

Scholarly Interpretation

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his commentary Fath al-Bari, explains that this hadith demonstrates that true faith requires both internal conviction and external manifestation through righteous conduct toward others.

Imam al-Nawawi states in his Sharh Sahih Muslim that this principle encompasses all matters of religion and worldly life - whatever good one desires for oneself in matters of faith, knowledge, worship, character, and lawful provisions, one should equally desire for fellow believers.

This teaching eliminates envy, malice, and selfishness from the heart and cultivates genuine concern for the wellbeing of the community, making it a practical measure of one's spiritual state.

Practical Implications

This hadith requires Muslims to actively pray for others' guidance, forgiveness, and success as they would for themselves. It forbids wishing harm upon others or rejoicing in their misfortune.

The principle extends to sharing beneficial knowledge, offering sincere advice, providing assistance in times of need, and celebrating others' blessings as one's own. It transforms individual faith into a social responsibility that strengthens the entire Muslim community.