Arabic Text
English Translation
— Abu Hurayrah (RA) (Muslim)
Commentary
A complete charter for Muslim social ethics. Then: 'Taqwā is here' — pointing to his chest three times.
Extended Explanation
A complete charter: do not envy, do not bid up prices to deceive, do not hate, do not turn away, do not undercut. Then the positive command: be servants of Allah, brothers. The Muslim does not wrong his brother, abandon him, or look down on him — and three times the Prophet ﷺ pointed to his chest: ‘taqwā is here.’
Ibn Rajab notes: each of the prohibitions destroys brotherhood from a different angle — envy (heart), price-bidding (deceit in trade), hatred (relationship), turning backs (boycott), undercutting (livelihood). A Muslim community survives only if all five are absent.
From the Scholars
"‘Looking down on a Muslim’ — the Prophet ﷺ said it is enough evil for a man to despise his Muslim brother. The heart that despises has lost the brotherhood entirely."
"‘Taqwā is here’ — pointing to the chest — establishes that the heart is the seat of taqwā, not the limbs alone. Outward acts without inward taqwā are empty."
Fiqh & Rulings
- •Najsh (bidding up an item without intent to buy, to deceive others) is forbidden — applies to auctions, real estate, online listings.
- •Boycotting a fellow Muslim beyond three days, except for legitimate religious reason, is forbidden.
- •Underselling or undercutting a brother’s confirmed transaction (during the negotiation period) is forbidden.
- •Envy of others’ blessings — wishing them removed — is a major heart sin.
Qur'ān Cross-References
Key Arabic Vocabulary
envy each other
bid up prices to deceive
hate each other
turn backs on each other
Today's Reflection
Pick one of these prohibitions you struggle with. Work on it this week.
Key Benefits
- 1Brotherhood requires action — and inaction in evil.
- 2Taqwā lives in the heart.
Common Mistakes & Warnings
- ⚠Wishing oneself the like of another’s blessing without wishing the other to lose it is ghibṭah — permitted, even praised when about religious good.
- ⚠Boycotting a brother for personal reasons beyond three days is forbidden — for religious correction (under conditions) it is allowed.
Related Hadiths
Memorization Progress