The Book Of Faith and its Signs - Sunan an-Nasa'i 5017

"By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, none of you has believed until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness."

Commentary on the Hadith

This noble hadith establishes one of the most fundamental principles of Islamic brotherhood and complete faith. The Prophet (ﷺ) begins with a solemn oath by Allah, the Creator of all souls, emphasizing the tremendous importance of this teaching.

The condition "until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" indicates that true faith (iman) is incomplete without this quality. The scholars explain that "brother" here refers to both the Muslim brother in faith and the human brother in humanity, though the former has greater emphasis.

The phrase "of goodness" (al-khayr) encompasses all forms of righteousness - spiritual blessings, worldly provisions, knowledge, guidance, and every benefit that brings one closer to Allah. This requires the believer to genuinely desire for others the same blessings, success, and protection from harm that they desire for themselves.

Imam an-Nawawi comments that this hadith contains the essence of perfect conduct and comprehensive virtue. When this quality becomes firmly established in the heart, it eliminates envy, hatred, and selfishness, replacing them with compassion, generosity, and sincere concern for all creation.

Practical Implications

This teaching requires Muslims to actively work for the benefit of others, share knowledge, give charity, offer sincere advice, and rejoice in others' blessings as if they were their own.

The scholars note that this principle extends beyond material goods to include spiritual aspirations - desiring for others the same guidance, forgiveness, and Paradise that one seeks for oneself.

This hadith serves as a practical measure of one's faith: the more one genuinely desires good for others, the more complete their faith becomes.