45/17. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2586c — Believers Are Like One Person
The Mutual Mercy, Compassion And Support Of The Believers
Hadith About Believers Being Like One Person
Sahih Muslim : 2586c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2586c
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو سَعِيدٍ الأَشَجُّ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْمُؤْمِنُونَ كَرَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ إِنِ اشْتَكَى رَأْسُهُ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالْحُمَّى وَالسَّهَرِ " .
An-Nu'man bin Bashir Narrated from:
Nu'man b. Bashir reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The believers are like one person; if his head aches, the whole body aches with fever and sleeplessness.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2586cIn-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 86USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 32, Hadith 6260
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2586c
This Hadith about believers as one person gives a clear picture of Islamic unity. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said the believers are like one person: if his head aches, the whole body responds with fever and sleeplessness. The wording is direct and easy to apply. It teaches that the pain of one believer should not be treated as isolated from the rest. A living body reacts when any part suffers, and a living community should also react with concern. The Hadith focuses on shared feeling, not only shared identity. It does not say to support wrong actions. It speaks about sincere care, mercy, and awareness when another believer is facing hardship or pain.
What we learn from this hadith
- Believers should feel concern for one another.
- True unity includes emotional care, not only words.
- The pain of one part of the community should move others to compassion.
- The Hadith compares believers to a living person, not separate pieces.
