"I heard Anas say: 'The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said (Humaid bin Mas'dah said in his Hadith: 'The Prophet of Allah [SAW] said): None of you has believed until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.'"
The Book Of Faith and its Signs - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5016
This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes one of the fundamental principles of Islamic brotherhood and faith. The hadith emphasizes that true faith (iman) is incomplete until a Muslim develops genuine concern for fellow believers, desiring for them the same blessings, guidance, and goodness that one desires for oneself.
Scholarly Commentary on the Hadith
Imam an-Nawawi, in his commentary on Sahih Muslim, explains that this hadith encompasses all aspects of worldly and religious matters. A believer should wish for his brother Muslim what he wishes for himself in terms of knowledge, worship, lawful provisions, and protection from harm.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali elaborates that this principle includes both positive and negative aspects: desiring good for others as one desires for oneself, and disliking harm for them as one dislikes it for oneself. This comprehensive approach transforms individual faith into communal consciousness.
Practical Implications
This teaching requires Muslims to transcend selfishness and envy. When a believer sees another enjoying blessings, they should rejoice as if those blessings were their own. This eliminates jealousy and fosters unity within the Muslim community.
The scholars note that this principle applies to all Muslims regardless of race, nationality, or social status. It creates a bond of mutual care and responsibility that distinguishes the Islamic community from mere social associations.
Spiritual Dimensions
Al-Qurtubi explains that this hadith measures the perfection of faith. The more one implements this principle, the more complete their faith becomes. It transforms faith from theoretical belief into practical manifestation through interpersonal relationships.
This teaching connects individual spiritual development with social responsibility, making personal faith inherently linked to the wellbeing of the community. A believer cannot attain spiritual excellence while being indifferent to the condition of fellow Muslims.