We went to Abu Dharr (Ghifari) in Rabadha and he had a mantle over him, and his slave had one like it. We said: Abu Dharr, had you joined them together, it would have been a complete garment. Thereupon he said: There was an altercation between me and one of the persons among my brothers. His mother was a non-Arab. I reproached him for his mother. He complained against me to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ). As I met Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) he said: Abu Dharr, you are a person who still has (in him the remnants) of the days (of Ignorance). Thereupon I said: Allah's Messenger, he who abuses (other) persons, they abuse (in return) his father and mother. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Abu Dharr, you are a person who still has (the remnants) of Ignorance in him They (your servants and slaves) are your brothers. Allah has put them in your care, so feed them with what you eat, clothe them with what you wear. and do not burden them beyond their capacities; but if you burden them (with an unbearable burden), then help them (by sharing their extra burden).
The Book of Oaths - Sahih Muslim 1661a
This narration from Abu Dharr al-Ghifari contains profound lessons regarding the treatment of servants and the prohibition of racial insults. The Prophet's ﷺ response demonstrates the Islamic revolution against pre-Islamic tribal prejudices.
Commentary on the Incident
When Abu Dharr reproached his brother for his non-Arab mother, he displayed remnants of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) where tribal lineage was a source of pride and discrimination. The Prophet ﷺ immediately corrected this un-Islamic behavior.
The phrase "you are a person who still has the remnants of Ignorance" indicates that transitioning from pre-Islamic mindset to Islamic consciousness requires continuous spiritual purification.
Treatment of Servants in Islam
The Prophet's ﷺ instruction "They are your brothers" establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that all human beings are equal before Allah, regardless of social status.
"Feed them with what you eat, clothe them with what you wear" mandates equal treatment in basic necessities, eliminating class distinctions in daily living conditions.
"Do not burden them beyond their capacities" protects workers from exploitation, while "help them if you burden them" encourages employers to share difficulties.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the prohibition of insulting anyone's lineage or ethnicity, as such behavior contradicts Islamic brotherhood.
Abu Dharr's practical implementation - dressing his servant equally - demonstrates the companions' immediate application of prophetic teachings.
The incident in Rabadha shows how early Muslims maintained these standards even in difficult circumstances, as Rabadha was a remote settlement.