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  4. Sahih Muslim 2584 a
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ اقْتَتَلَ غُلاَمَانِ غُلاَمٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَغُلاَمٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَنَادَى الْمُهَاجِرُ أَوِ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ يَا لَلْمُهَاجِرِينَ ‏.‏ وَنَادَى الأَنْصَارِيُّ يَا لَلأَنْصَارِ ‏.‏ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ ‏"‏ مَا هَذَا دَعْوَى أَهْلِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا لاَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ أَنَّ غُلاَمَيْنِ اقْتَتَلاَ فَكَسَعَ أَحَدُهُمَا الآخَرَ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ بَأْسَ وَلْيَنْصُرِ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ ظَالِمًا أَوْ مَظْلُومًا إِنْ كَانَ ظَالِمًا فَلْيَنْهَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ نَصْرٌ وَإِنْ كَانَ مَظْلُومًا فَلْيَنْصُرْهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
Translation
Jabir b. Abdullah reported that two young men, one from the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the other one from the Angr (helpers) fell into dispute and the Muhajir called his fellow Muhajirin, and the Ansari (the helper) called the Ansar (for help). In the meanwhile, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came there and said

What is this, the proclamation of the days of jahiliya (ignorance)? They said: Allah's Messenger, there is nothing serious. The two young men fell into dispute and the one struck at the back of the other. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Well, a person should help his brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed. If he is the oppressor he should prevent him from doing it, for that is his help; and if he is the oppressed he should be helped (against oppression).

Comment

The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship

Sahih Muslim 2584 a - Commentary by Classical Scholars

Context and Background

This hadith addresses a dispute between two companions during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The reference to "days of jahiliya" indicates the Prophet's concern about pre-Islamic tribal mentality where blind support was given to kinsmen regardless of justice.

Scholarly Interpretation

The phrase "help your brother whether he is an oppressor or oppressed" requires careful understanding. Scholars explain that helping an oppressor means restraining him from injustice and guiding him to righteousness, which is the true form of assistance.

For the oppressed, help means physical and moral support to secure their rights and protect them from harm. This comprehensive approach maintains brotherhood while upholding justice.

Practical Application

This teaching establishes that Muslim brotherhood is not based on blind loyalty but on truth and justice. One must courageously correct a wrongdoer while compassionately supporting the victim.

The hadith emphasizes proactive intervention in conflicts to establish justice, reflecting Islam's comprehensive approach to social harmony and moral responsibility.