What does it mean to love for your brother what you love for yourself?

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" (al-Bukhari 13, Muslim 45); the scholars explain that the negation here denies completeness of faith, not its basis — a person who falls short is deficient in īmān, not outside Islam. Practically it means wanting for other Muslims the same good you want for yourself — guidance, provision, honour, ease — and hating for them the harm you would hate for yourself, which is why it cannot coexist with envy, cheating in trade, or rejoicing at another's misfortune. It also shows in action: giving the advice you would want given to you, and dealing with people the way you would want to be dealt with. At its highest it becomes the īthār of the Anṣār, who "give preference over themselves, even though they are in privation" (Quran 59:9). Ibn Rajab, commenting on this ḥadīth, noted that it requires the heart first to be emptied of rancour and envy, because a heart full of resentment cannot sincerely wish others well.

Ask your own question → All questions