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

Sahih Muslim - Hadith 2586d

Hadith Text

Nu'man b. Bashir reported that Muslims are like one body of a person; if the eye is sore, the whole body aches, and if the head aches, the whole body aches.

Commentary on the Metaphor of the Single Body

This profound analogy illustrates the essential unity and mutual responsibility that binds the Muslim community. Just as the human body functions as an integrated whole where pain in one organ affects the entire system, so too must believers feel each other's sufferings and joys. The eye represents sensitivity and perception - when the community's vision is impaired through ignorance or neglect, the entire ummah suffers. The head symbolizes leadership and direction - when leadership is afflicted with error or injustice, the entire community experiences the consequences.

Practical Implications for the Believers

This teaching establishes the obligation of mutual care and collective responsibility. When a Muslim anywhere faces hardship, oppression, or need, it becomes the concern of all believers. The wealthy must feel the hunger of the poor, the strong must protect the weak, and the knowledgeable must guide the ignorant. This interconnectedness transcends geographical boundaries, ethnic differences, and social status, creating a universal brotherhood under the banner of faith.

The hadith emphasizes that indifference to others' suffering violates the very nature of Islamic brotherhood. Just as one cannot ignore a pain in their own body, a true believer cannot remain unmoved by the difficulties facing fellow Muslims. This principle forms the foundation for charitable works, mutual assistance, and collective action in addressing community problems.

Spiritual Dimensions

Beyond physical and material support, this unity extends to spiritual matters. The sins of individuals affect the collective spiritual health, while righteous deeds benefit the entire community. This understanding should motivate believers to enjoin good and forbid evil, pray for one another's guidance, and work collectively to elevate the entire ummah's spiritual state. The metaphor reminds us that our fates are intertwined in this world and the hereafter.