Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to do seven things and forbade us from seven. He ordered us to visit the
sick, to follow funeral processions, (to say) to a sneezer, (May Allah bestow His Mercy on you, if he
says, Praise be to Allah), to accept invitations, to greet (everybody), to help the oppressed and to help
others to fulfill their oaths. He forbade us to wear gold rings, to drink in silver (utensils), to use
Mayathir (silken carpets placed on saddles), to wear Al-Qissi (a kind of silken cloth), to wear silk,
Dibaj or Istabraq (two kinds of silk).
Narrated by Narrated Al-Bara' bin `Azib:
Context
In this hadith, Al-Bara' bin `Azib narrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) instructions on various acts of kindness and etiquette, as well as prohibitions. This guidance emphasizes the importance of community, compassion, and respect for others in daily interactions, highlighting the Prophet's (ﷺ) role as a moral guide.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a reminder to engage in acts of kindness and uphold etiquette in our interactions today. Simple gestures like visiting the sick or greeting others can strengthen community bonds.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Etiquette and Funeral Rites because it outlines essential social behaviors and the importance of compassion in community life.
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 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,
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.