Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 268

Prohibition of Maligning

باب النهي عن الإيذاء

This chapter defines the true Muslim by the safety others feel around him. The measure is not loud claims of faith but a simple test: are people protected from your tongue and your hand? Harming, mocking, or injuring others is the very thing this chapter forbids.

Read the two hadith side by side and they meet at one principle, often called the golden rule of Islam: hold for others what you hold for yourself. Faith is shown by lifting harm off people and by treating them as you would wish to be treated.

Hadith 1565

'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏المسلم من سلم المسلمون من لسانه ويده، والمهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A (true) Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (Emigrant) is he who leaves the deeds which Allah has prohibited." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

A true Muslim is measured by the safety others feel around him: people are protected from his tongue and his hand. Faith shows in how harmless and trustworthy you are to those nearby.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1565 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 55

Hadith 1566

'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

وعنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏من أحب أن يزحزح عن النار، ويدخل الجنة، فلتأته منيته وهو يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، وليأتِ إلى الناس الذي يحب أن يؤتى إليه‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وهو بعض حديث طويل سبق في باب طاعة ولاة الأمور‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who desires to be rescued from the fire of Hell and to enter Jannah, should die in a state of complete belief in Allah and the Last Day, and should do unto others what he wishes to be done unto him." [Muslim].

In plain words

To be saved from the Fire and enter Paradise, hold firm belief in Allah and the Last Day, and treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is the golden rule of faith.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1566 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 56