1. Maintaining Family Ties
The one who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 13)
Explanation: Islam emphasizes the importance of strengthening family bonds and warns against neglecting kinship ties.
2. Good Treatment of Parents
Paradise lies under the feet of mothers.(Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book 25, Hadith 3104)
Explanation: Honoring and serving one’s parents, especially the mother, is a key to earning Allah’s pleasure and entry into Paradise.
3. Good Treatment of Neighbors
The Angel Jibril kept recommending good treatment of neighbors to me until I thought he would make them my heirs.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 28)
Explanation: Maintaining positive relations with neighbors is highly encouraged in Islam, reflecting the importance of community cohesion.
4. Strengthening Brotherhood
None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 13)
Explanation: This Hadith encourages believers to cultivate love, empathy, and care toward fellow Muslims.
5. Spreading Peace in Society
You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you about something that will increase love between you? Spread peace (salam) among yourselves.(Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 96)
Explanation: Greeting each other with peace (Salam) fosters harmony and brotherhood within the community.
6. Resolving Disputes and Reconciliation
Shall I not tell you about a deed better than fasting, prayer, and charity? It is reconciling between people.(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 41, Hadith 4901)
Explanation: Resolving disputes and promoting peace between individuals holds great reward in Islam.
7. Supporting Others in Times of Need
Whoever relieves the hardship of a believer in this world, Allah will relieve his hardship on the Day of Judgment.(Sahih Muslim, Book 35, Hadith 6750)
Explanation: Helping others in difficult times brings blessings in both this life and the Hereafter.
8. Fulfilling Promises
The signs of a hypocrite are three: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 32)
Explanation: Trust and honesty are essential for healthy social relations and reflect the sincerity of faith.
9. Treating Spouses with Kindness
The best of you are those who are best to their wives.(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 1162)
Explanation: A healthy marriage is built on kindness, love, and respect between spouses.
10. Helping the Oppressed and the Weak
Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed. The Prophet (PBUH) was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet (PBUH) said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 46, Hadith 695)
Explanation: Helping others includes stopping them from committing injustice, promoting justice for all.
11. Prohibition of Backbiting and Gossip
Do not backbite each other. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it.(Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12; Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6265)
Explanation: Gossip and backbiting are condemned, as they harm social relationships and spread discord.
12. Honoring Guests
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should honor his guest.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 78, Hadith 157)
Explanation: Hospitality is a key value in Islam, reflecting generosity and respect toward guests.
13. Fairness in Business Transactions
The honest and trustworthy merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book 12, Hadith 1209)
Explanation: Ethical behavior in trade and business reflects good character and strengthens trust within society.
14. Avoiding Jealousy and Envy
Do not be jealous of one another, and do not hate one another. Be, O servants of Allah, brothers.(Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6208)
Explanation: Jealousy and hatred harm relationships and weaken the unity of the community.
15. Forgiveness and Mercy in Social Interactions
The one who shows no mercy will not be shown mercy.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 73, Hadith 42)
Explanation: Forgiveness and mercy strengthen social ties and earn Allah’s mercy.
16. Treating Children with Compassion
He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young and respect to our elders.(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book 27, Hadith 1920)
Explanation: Respect for elders and compassion toward children foster harmony within families and society.
17. Visiting the Sick
When a Muslim visits his sick brother, he is harvesting the fruits of Paradise until he returns.(Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6227)
Explanation: Visiting the sick is an act of kindness and compassion that brings divine reward.
18. Avoiding Harm and Injustice
A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 10)
Explanation: A true believer ensures that his actions and speech do not harm others.
19. Honoring Agreements and Contracts
Muslims are bound by their agreements, except an agreement that makes lawful what is unlawful or unlawful what is lawful.(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 36, Hadith 3594)
Explanation: Fulfilling agreements and contracts reflects integrity and ensures trust in dealings.
20. Treating Servants and Employees Justly
Your servants are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. So whoever has a brother under his authority should feed him from what he eats and clothe him from what he wears.(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 46, Hadith 723)
Explanation: Justice and kindness toward employees and workers promote fairness and human dignity.
Conclusion
These Hadiths on Social Relations (Mu'amalat) emphasize the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, forgiveness, hospitality, and compassion. Building healthy relationships, whether with family, neighbors, or in the marketplace, reflects a believer’s commitment to Islamic values. Following these teachings ensures peaceful, fair, and harmonious interactions, contributing to a just and unified society. May Allah guide us to embody these principles in our lives. Ameen.