Riyad as-Salihin, 1360

Al-Ma'rur bin Suwaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

I saw Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) wearing a nice gown, and his slave was also wearing one similar to it. I asked him about it, and he said that he had exchanged harsh words with a person during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and put him to shame by making a reference to his mother. That person came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and made mention of that to him. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, "You are a person who has remnants of the 'Days of Ignorance' in you. Your slaves are your brothers. Allah has placed them under your authority. He who has his brother under him, should feed him from whatever he eats, and dress him with whatever he wears, and do not burden them (assign burdensome task to them) beyond their capacity; and if you burden them then help them." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن المعرور بن سويد قال‏:‏ رأيت أبا ذر رضي الله عنه وعليه حلة وعلى غلامه مثلها، فسألته عن ذلك فذكر أنه ساب رجلا على عهد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فعيره بأمه فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

‏إنك امرؤ فيك جاهلية‏

‏ ‏:‏ هم إخوانكم، وخولكم جعلهم الله تحت أيديكم فمن كان أخوه تحت يده فليطعمه مما يأكل ويلبسه مما يلبس ولا تكلفوهم ما يغلبهم، فإن كلفتموهم فأعينوهم” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 11, Hadith 76

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) We are strictly prohibited from imitating the people of the pre-Islamic time of ignorance, even in using words. A believer should have a personality formed by the teachings of the noble Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah. 2) It points out the Islamic guidance on the treatment of slaves. Under this guidance, masters are required to treat their slaves kindly, give them good food and clothing, and not burden them with work beyond their capacity. This stems from the merciful Shariah of Islam. Indeed, the free people living in oppressing countries today would wish to live as slaves under the just system of Islam! 3) It shows the merit of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) as he complied with the Prophet’s command and was keen to make amends for his mistake by showing kindness to his slave.

Related hadiths6