The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنِ الأَشْعَثِ، عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ، قَالَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ عَازِبٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَمَرَنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِسَبْعٍ، وَنَهَانَا عَنْ سَبْعٍ، أَمَرَنَا بِعِيَادَةِ الْمَرِيضِ، وَاتِّبَاعِ الْجِنَازَةِ، وَتَشْمِيتِ الْعَاطِسِ، وَإِبْرَارِ الْقَسَمِ، وَنَصْرِ الْمَظْلُومِ، وَإِفْشَاءِ السَّلاَمِ، وَإِجَابَةِ الدَّاعِي، وَنَهَانَا عَنْ خَوَاتِيمِ الذَّهَبِ، وَعَنْ آنِيَةِ الْفِضَّةِ، وَعَنِ الْمَيَاثِرِ، وَالْقَسِّيَّةِ، وَالإِسْتَبْرَقِ وَالدِّيبَاجِ. تَابَعَهُ أَبُو عَوَانَةَ وَالشَّيْبَانِيُّ عَنْ أَشْعَثَ فِي إِفْشَاءِ السَّلاَمِ.
The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered us to do seven (things) and forbade us from seven. He ordered us to visit the
patients, to follow the funeral procession, to reply to the sneezer (i.e., say to him, 'Yarhamuka-l-lah
(May Allah bestow His Mercy upon you), if he says 'Al-hamduli l-lah' (Praise be to Allah), to help
others to fulfill their oaths, to help the oppressed, to greet (whomever one should meet), and to accept
the invitation (to a wedding banquet). He forbade us to wear golden rings, to use silver utensils, to use
Maiyathir (cushions of silk stuffed with cotton and placed under the rider on the saddle), the Qasiyya
(linen clothes containing silk brought from an Egyptian town), the Istibraq (thick silk) and the Dibaj
(another kind of silk). (See Hadith No. 539 and 753).
Narrated by Narrated Al-Bara' bin `Azib:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) outlines seven actions that he encourages his followers to engage in, such as visiting the sick and following funeral processions, while also prohibiting seven practices, including the use of gold and silver utensils. This guidance emphasizes the importance of community support, compassion, and ethical conduct in daily life. The takeaway is a balanced approach to personal behavior and social responsibility.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith encourages us to actively participate in community life by visiting sick relatives and friends, attending funerals to show respect, and greeting others warmly. These actions foster a sense of belonging and support within our communities, reinforcing the bonds of family and friendship.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hospitality in Islam and Prophetic Etiquette because it emphasizes the importance of social interactions and ethical behavior in community life as prescribed by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
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.
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.
O Prophet, when the believing women come to you pledging to you that they will not associate anything with Allah, nor will they steal, nor will they commit unlawful sexual intercourse, nor will they kill their children, nor will they bring forth a slander they have invented between their arms and legs, nor will they disobey you in what is right - then accept their pledge and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
O Prophet, why do you prohibit [yourself from] what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
This hadith is #4968 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Wedlock, Marriage (Nikaah). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Al-Bara' bin `Azib:.