The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue or his hands. And a Muhajir (an emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden."
To make the Heart Tender (Ar-Riqaq)
Sahih al-Bukhari 6484
Hadith Text
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue or his hands. And a Muhajir (an emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all what Allah has forbidden."
Commentary on the Definition of a Muslim
This noble hadith establishes the fundamental criterion for true Islamic conduct. The Prophet (ﷺ) defines a Muslim not merely by declaration of faith, but by tangible actions that preserve communal harmony. Avoiding harm with the tongue encompasses refraining from backbiting, slander, false speech, and hurtful words. Avoiding harm with the hands includes all physical transgressions against person or property. Thus, the perfection of faith manifests in the safety and security one provides to fellow believers.
Commentary on the Definition of a Muhajir
The term "Muhajir" here transcends its historical context of migration from Makkah to Madinah. It signifies a spiritual migration wherein the believer emigrates from what Allah has prohibited to what He has commanded. This requires abandoning all sins—major and minor—of the heart, tongue, limbs, and senses. True emigration is thus the continuous journey from disobedience to obedience, from the domain of Satan to the dominion of the Most Merciful.
Scholarly Insights
Imam al-Nawawi explains that this hadith emphasizes that the reality of Islam is both inward and outward. The complete Muslim safeguards others from his evil. Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that the definition of Muhajir establishes that the highest form of emigration is abandoning sins, which is obligatory at all times and in all places, unlike physical hijrah which has specific rulings.
Practical Application
This teaching directs believers to constantly examine their interactions and inner states. One must ensure their speech causes no harm, their hands commit no injustice, and their entire being flees from divine prohibitions. The hadith connects faith with action, reminding us that true Islamic identity is demonstrated through ethical conduct and spiritual vigilance in every aspect of life.