Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales and don't look for the other's faults and don't spy and don't hate each other, and don't desert (cut your relations with) one another O Allah's slaves, be brothers!" (See Hadith No. 90)
Exposition of the Hadith on Brotherhood and Moral Conduct
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6724) contains comprehensive guidance for the moral rectification of the Muslim community. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses several destructive behaviors that corrupt individual hearts and societal harmony.
Prohibition of Suspicion (al-Zann)
The Messenger (ﷺ) begins by warning against suspicion, describing it as "the worst of false tales" because suspicion often leads to false certainty without evidence. In Islamic jurisprudence, acting upon mere suspicion without verification is prohibited, as it violates the principle of presuming good about fellow Muslims.
Forbiddance of Seeking Faults (Tajassus)
The command "don't look for the other's faults" prohibits deliberately searching for and exposing people's hidden shortcomings. Scholars explain this as protecting Muslim honor and maintaining social dignity. The righteous predecessors would cover others' faults as they would wish their own covered.
Prohibition of Spying (Tahassus)
"Don't spy" refers to investigating matters that people keep private. Imam al-Nawawi comments that this includes eavesdropping on private conversations or peering into homes without permission. Such behavior violates the Islamic right to privacy and breeds mistrust.
Warning Against Hatred and Severing Relations
The prohibition of hatred and cutting relations addresses the consequences of the previously mentioned sins. Hatred corrupts the heart and severs the bonds of brotherhood. Deserting a Muslim for more than three days without legitimate religious cause is strictly forbidden.
The Divine Call to Brotherhood
The concluding address "O Allah's slaves, be brothers!" establishes the foundational principle of Islamic brotherhood. Scholars emphasize that this brotherhood transcends tribal, racial, and national affiliations, being rooted solely in faith. This comprehensive guidance from the Laws of Inheritance (Al-Faraa'id) section of Sahih al-Bukhari serves as a complete system for maintaining social harmony and spiritual purity within the Muslim community.