The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other." The Prophet (ﷺ) then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that).
Hadith Text and Context
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other." The Prophet (ﷺ) then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that).
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 2446 | Book: Oppressions
Linguistic Analysis
The Arabic term "بُنْيَان" (bunyān) refers to a solid, well-constructed building where all components are interconnected. The phrase "يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا" indicates mutual strengthening and support between parts.
The Prophet's physical demonstration of interlacing fingers provides a powerful visual metaphor for this inseparable unity and interdependence.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this hadith establishes the fundamental principle of Muslim brotherhood and mutual responsibility. Just as a building collapses if its parts separate, the Muslim community weakens when believers fail to support one another.
Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this analogy demonstrates the obligation upon Muslims to strengthen each other in faith, protect one another from harm, and cooperate in righteousness and piety.
Practical Applications
This teaching mandates mutual assistance in worldly matters, emotional support during difficulties, and spiritual encouragement in religious observance.
It forbids abandonment, betrayal, and withholding assistance from fellow believers when they are in need of support.
The hadith establishes the collective responsibility of the Muslim community to maintain its structural integrity through active brotherhood and cooperation.