27/29. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1945 — Fair Treatment of Servants
What Has Been Related About Treating The Servant Well
Hadith About Treating Slaves and Servants Kindly
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1945
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1945
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ وَاصِلٍ، عَنِ الْمَعْرُورِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِخْوَانُكُمْ جَعَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِتْيَةً تَحْتَ أَيْدِيكُمْ فَمَنْ كَانَ أَخُوهُ تَحْتَ يَدِهِ فَلْيُطْعِمْهُ مِنْ طَعَامِهِ وَلْيُلْبِسْهُ مِنْ لِبَاسِهِ وَلاَ يُكَلِّفْهُ مَا يَغْلِبُهُ فَإِنْ كَلَّفَهُ مَا يَغْلِبُهُ فَلْيُعِنْهُ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ وَأُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Abu Dharr Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said : "Allah Has Made Some Of Your Brothers As Slaves Under Your Care. So Whoever Has His Brother Under His Care, Then Let Him Feed Him From His Food, And Let Him Clothe Him From His Clothes. And Do Not Give Him A Duty That He Cannot Bear, And If You Give Him A Duty He Cannot Bear, Then Assist Him With It."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1945In-book reference : Book 27, Hadith 51English translation : Vol. 4, Book 1, Hadith 1945
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1945
This Hadith about treating slaves and servants kindly gives clear guidance about people placed under someone’s care. The Prophet described them as brothers whom Allah placed under one’s authority. He then gave practical instructions: feed them from your food, clothe them from your clothing, and do not give them a duty they cannot bear. If a heavy duty is given, then help them with it. The message is direct and humane. The Hadith does not allow power to become harshness. It reminds the person in charge that the one under his care still has dignity, needs, and limits. Care must be shown through food, clothing, workload, and help.
What we learn from this hadith
- People under one’s care should be treated as brothers.
- They should be fed and clothed in a fair and caring way.
- A person should not be given work beyond what he can bear.
- If a hard task is assigned, the one in charge should help with it.
