(62) Chapter: Selflessness and Sympathy

Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Once we were on a journey with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when a rider came and began looking right and left. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Whoever has an extra mount should offer it to him who is without it, and whoever has surplus food should give it to him who has nothing;" and he continued mentioning other properties until we thought that none of us had any right to surplus of his own property.

[Muslim].

Commentary: The mention of this Hadith in this chapter reveals that in their social life, particularly in a period of crisis, the Muslims should adopt a co-operative, consolatory and sympathetic attitude towards one another, being willing to give over their superfluous things to the needy Muslims. This commandment, however, is not of essential and binding nature. If it were so, no Muslim could be in a position to amass wealth. This is simply desirable and based on free will. If the common Muslims were possessed of generosity, this moral instruction would have been practised by all and sundry with Muslim society being exemplary in terms of brotherhood and solidarity. Yet, the lack of sublime morals has denuded this precept of its entire import and significance. Small wonder, in Muslim communities there is a general deplorable trend of showing indifference to fellow-Muslims, instead of establishing a worth-emulating example of co-operation and fellow-feeling.