The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنِ الأَشْعَثِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ سُوَيْدِ بْنِ مُقَرِّنٍ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَمَرَنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِسَبْعٍ، وَنَهَانَا عَنْ سَبْعٍ أَمَرَنَا بِاتِّبَاعِ الْجَنَائِزِ، وَعِيَادَةِ الْمَرِيضِ، وَإِجَابَةِ الدَّاعِي، وَنَصْرِ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَإِبْرَارِ الْقَسَمِ، وَرَدِّ السَّلاَمِ، وَتَشْمِيتِ الْعَاطِسِ. وَنَهَانَا عَنْ آنِيَةِ الْفِضَّةِ، وَخَاتَمِ الذَّهَبِ، وَالْحَرِيرِ، وَالدِّيبَاجِ، وَالْقَسِّيِّ، وَالإِسْتَبْرَقِ.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to do seven things and forbade us to do other seven. He ordered us:
to follow the funeral procession. to visit the sick, to accept invitations, to help the oppressed, to fulfill
the oaths, to return the greeting and to reply to the sneezer: (saying, "May Allah be merciful on you,"
provided the sneezer says, "All the praises are for Allah,"). He forbade us to use silver utensils and
dishes and to wear golden rings, silk (clothes), Dibaj (pure silk cloth), Qissi and Istabraq (two kinds of
silk cloths).
Narrated by Narrated Al-Bara' bin `Azib:
Context
In this narration, the Prophet (ﷺ) outlines seven actions that Muslims are encouraged to perform, such as following funeral processions and visiting the sick, while also prohibiting the use of certain luxurious items. This guidance emphasizes the importance of community support and respectful interactions among individuals.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith encourages us to engage in acts of kindness and support within our communities. Whether it's visiting the sick or responding to greetings, these actions foster a sense of belonging and compassion, which are vital in our daily interactions.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Respectful Communication and Funeral Rites because it emphasizes the importance of community support and respectful behavior during significant life events.
Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.
Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah, and [those animals] killed by strangling or by a violent blow or by a head-long fall or by the goring of horns, and those from which a wild animal has eaten, except what you [are able to] slaughter [before its death], and those which are sacrificed on stone altars, and [prohibited is] that you seek decision through divining arrows. That is grave disobedience. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of [defeating] your religion; so fear them not, but fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. But whoever is forced by severe hunger with no inclination to sin - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.
That [has been commanded], and whoever honors the sacred ordinances of Allah - it is best for him in the sight of his Lord. And permitted to you are the grazing livestock, except what is recited to you. So avoid the uncleanliness of idols and avoid false statement,