Before we proceed with the Hadith we are going to discuss, let us hurriedly see what morality really means:
Morality is a personal or social system of beliefs and principles that distinguishes between right and wrong, good and bad, and appropriate and improper behavior. Derived from the Latin word for "manner" or "character," morality involves standards for thoughts and actions, enabling individuals to live cooperatively and peacefully within a society by promoting trust, fairness, and empathy. Morality serves as a code of conduct, though its specific principles can vary across cultures, religions, and individuals, and may evolve over time.
Let’s now explore a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as mentioned in Sahīh al-Bukhārī 1239 in depth that guides us in personal development and community ethics.
The Hadith
Narrated Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (raḥimahullāh), the Prophet ﷺ ordered us to do seven things and forbade us from seven things.
He ordained to:
- Follow the funeral processions
- Visit the sick
- Accept invitations
- Help the oppressed
- Fulfill oaths
- Return greetings (as-salām)
- Respond to a sneezer who says “Al-ḥamdu lillāh” with “Yarḥamukallāh”
He prohibited from:
- Using silver utensils and dishes
- Wearing gold rings
- Wearing silk, as well as dibāj, qissī, and istabrāq (luxurious fabrics)
Qur'anic Foundations & Related Sunnah
- Social Ethics & Community Solidarity
- Following funerals & visiting the sick: While there's no direct Qurʾānic verse on this, the importance of compassion and community support is emphasized throughout. The Prophet ﷺ also framed these acts among the key rights of a Muslim over another
- Helping the oppressed: “Help the oppressed—even if you cannot save them from oppression, at the very least you forbid them from it. And if that is not possible, help in other ways.” (Prophetic teaching, as narrated in Sunan Ibn Mājah)
- Returning Salaam and replying to the sneezer:
- “When one of you greets, let him say: As-salāmu ʿalaykum.” (Sunan Abū Dāwūd) - And “When someone says ‘Al-ḥamdu lillāh - ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ’ - "Praise be to Allah" after sneezing, the response is ‘Yarḥamukallāh (يَرْحَمُكَ اللهُ) - May Allah have mercy on you.’”
- These express social grace and empathy.
- Honoring Contracts
- Fulfilling oaths: “O you who believe! When you contract a debt for a fixed term, write it down; and let a scribe write it with justice...” (Qurʾān 2:282)
- This demonstrates Islam’s emphasis on accountability and trust.
- Avoiding Materialism & Ostentation
- Prohibition on luxurious items
- Wearing silken clothes that give out an aura of pride and wealth is tangent to the concept of simplicity in Islam. The display of such clothes and expression of pomp and show has a negative effect on the poor who cannot afford such luxuries.
- In today's life, even wearing expensive watches, diamond and gold ornament, carrying expensive bag also fall in the same category of silken clothes.
- The Prophet ﷺ discouraged extravagance because it can lead to pride and away from humility, aligning with Qurʾān: “Truly, those who are extravagant are the brethren of the shayāṭīn…” (Qurʾān 17:27)
- This prohibition helps cultivate modest living and sincerity.
Lessons & Relevance Today
- Building Compassionate Communities
- Following funerals and visiting the sick show solidarity and remind us of life’s fragility.
- Helping the oppressed preserves justice and empathy, especially where modern injustice may prevail.
- Maintaining Social Etiquette: Responding to greetings and sneezing fosters warmth, unity, and mindfulness in interpersonal dealings.
- Upholding Integrity: Fulfilling oaths emphasizes that promises and contracts are serious matters — this principle applies broadly to business, legal, and personal commitments.
- Promoting Sincerity and Humility: Avoiding luxury is relevant in our consumer-driven culture; it promotes modesty, prevents envy, and keeps priorities aligned with spiritual values.
To summarize the above explanation, here is the impact of our actions based on the theme of the Hadith:
- Expression of Compassion by following funerals, visiting the sick, helping the oppressed strengthens community bonds
- Demonstration of Social Courtesy by accepting invitations, returning greetings, responding to sneezing cultivates warmth and unity
- Fulfilling oaths expresses one's integrity and builds trust and accountability
- Show of Humility by avoiding luxury goods encourages modesty and spiritual focus
In short: Hadīth 1239 isn’t just a list of dos and don'ts — it’s a blueprint for a compassionate, humble, and ethically conscious community. Each directive fosters spiritual balance and social harmony, grounded deeply in the Qurʾān and Sunnah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Morality for more etiquettes attributed to Prophet Muhammad.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing. one may also consult local Muslim Imaan of the masjid for more clarification.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to "force" preach, convert, or criticize any belief system. The views shared are meant to inspire dialogue, understanding, and reflection. Viewer discretion is advised, especially for those navigating sensitive religious experiences. Always seek knowledge with an open heart and mind.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment