Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 237
The Excellence of Kind Attitude towards Slaves
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, Al-Masakin (the poor), the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those (slaves) whom your right hands possess.” (4:36)
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 (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and put him to shame by making a reference to his mother. That person came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) 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].
1361. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When your servant brings food for you and you do not seat him with you, you should at least give him a morsel or two out of it because he has prepared it himself.”
[Al-Bukhari].
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