📖 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik (RA):
> The Prophet ﷺ said:
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 13; Sahih Muslim 45)
1. The Meaning of “None of You Truly Believes”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “None of you truly believes…”
This does not mean such a person has no belief at all.
Instead, it means that one’s faith is incomplete until they reach this higher standard of character.
👉 Lesson: Faith is not just prayer and rituals—it is reflected in how we treat others.
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2. The Concept of Brotherhood in Islam
The hadith says: “…until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
“Brother” here includes:
Muslim brotherhood: as believers are one family.
Human brotherhood: many scholars (like Imam al-Nawawi) said this can extend to all people, as Islam teaches universal mercy.
👉 Lesson: A true believer is not selfish—he desires goodness for others, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
3. Loving Good for Others
What does it mean to love for others what you love for yourself?
If you desire health, safety, wealth, and guidance, you should desire the same for others.
If you dislike poverty, sickness, or humiliation, you should dislike it for others as well.
This creates a selfless, compassionate society where believers look out for one another.
👉 Lesson: The hadith calls for empathy—the ability to put yourself in another’s place.
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4. Faith Beyond Rituals
The Prophet ﷺ linked this character trait directly to true faith.
A person may pray, fast, and perform rituals, but if they are selfish and wish harm for others, their faith is incomplete.
Real iman must manifest in social behavior.
👉 Lesson: Islam is not only between you and Allah—it is also about how you treat people.
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5. The Root of Envy vs. Love
The opposite of loving for others is envy (hasad)—wishing that others lose the blessings they have.
Envy destroys faith, poisons the heart, and leads to hatred.
Instead, the believer should practice genuine love: wanting others to enjoy the same blessings without losing anything themselves.
👉 Lesson: Islam teaches believers to replace envy with goodwill.
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6. Examples from the Companions
The Sahabah (companions) lived this hadith beautifully:
During the migration to Madinah, the Ansar shared their homes, wealth, and even offered to split their businesses with the Muhajirun. (Quran 59:9 praises this spirit.)
Umar ibn al-Khattab once said: “If one of us had a piece of bread, we would love that our brother shared in it.”
👉 Lesson: Brotherhood in Islam is not theoretical—it must be practiced in daily life.
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7. Application in Daily Life
How can a believer apply this hadith today?
In business: Avoid cheating or overpricing, because you wouldn’t want it done to you.
In speech: Speak kindly, as you would like others to speak to you.
In community: Support others’ education, livelihood, and well-being, just as you want success for yourself.
In guidance: If you enjoy the blessing of Islam, you should wish guidance for all people.
👉 Lesson: This hadith is a principle for justice, fairness, and kindness in every aspect of life.
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8. The Global Relevance
This teaching is not just for Muslims—it is a universal value.
It resonates with the Golden Rule found in other traditions (“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”).
Islam elevates it further: it is not just an ethic, but a condition of true faith.
👉 Lesson: Islam’s values are for humanity at large, not limited to Muslims alone.
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9. The Link Between Faith and Character
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized throughout his life that good character is part of faith.
He said: “The most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character.” (Abu Dawud)
This hadith connects inner belief with outward character.
👉 Lesson: The strongest sign of real iman is not words, but behavior rooted in love.
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CONCLUSION:
This hadith teaches that true faith is not complete without selflessness and compassion. Loving for others what you love for yourself transforms communities into families of care and support. It eliminates envy, selfishness, and injustice, and builds a society based on empathy and mercy.
A believer who lives by this principle is not only loved by Allah but also respected by people. In short, faith is love in action.
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