Explanation of the hadith
The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that among the rights a Muslim has over his fellow Muslim are: feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and freeing the captive.
Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and arrange for the release of captives
AuthenticNarrated by Al-BukhāriHadeethEnc #6103
عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «أَطْعِمُوا الجَائِعَ، وَعُودُوا المَرِيضَ، وَفُكُّوا العَانِيَ».
English translation
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and arrange for the release of captives."
Benefits from the hadith
- Encouragement of cooperation and mutual support among Muslims.
- Encouragement to feed the hungry who need food, as this is a commanded act.
- The legitimacy of visiting the sick—to comfort their hearts, pray for them, and attain reward, among other benefits.
- The importance of striving to free a captive if he is taken by the disbelievers—whether through paying a ransom for his release or by arranging an exchange of captives.
Praiseworthy Morals