Love for Others — The Hadith We’ve Neglected -2025
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
— Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)
(Sahih al-Bukhari 13; Sahih Muslim 45)
In a world marked by division and individualism, there is one short but powerful statement that can shift the course of how we interact with each other — The Hadith We’ve Neglected. This profound teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) doesn’t just encourage kindness; it sets the gold standard for what it means to be a true believer.
Let’s explore this hadith, reflect on its deeper meanings, and consider how reviving The Hadith We’ve Neglected could heal hearts, restore relationships, and reshape society.
The Heart of Faith: Loving for Others What You Love for Yourself
“None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
This isn’t just a gentle nudge toward good manners — it’s a declaration that faith is incomplete without genuine care and selflessness. That’s why scholars often refer to this as The Hadith We’ve Neglected, because despite its simplicity, it challenges our deepest habits of selfishness, envy, and indifference.
It pushes us to redefine faith not just as prayer or ritual, but as the ability to love, empathize, and elevate others.
Who is ‘Your Brother’ in the Hadith?
The Arabic word “أخيه” (akhi) — “his brother” — invites broader reflection. While many interpret it as referring specifically to fellow Muslims, numerous scholars, including Imam An-Nawawi, emphasize that it can also mean all of humanity.
If that’s the case, The Hadith We’ve Neglected isn’t just about religious unity — it’s a call for universal compassion. In a world drowning in ‘us vs. them’ narratives, how often do we love for strangers, outsiders, or even our critics what we love for ourselves?
What Does Loving for Others Actually Look Like?
We all want peace, respect, health, success, and joy. The Hadith We’ve Neglected invites us to extend that desire outward:
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Wish for others the same peace and success you want for yourself.
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Celebrate someone else’s promotion like it was your own.
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Forgive as you hope to be forgiven.
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Share knowledge and opportunities instead of hoarding them.
This is more than empathy — it’s active goodwill, a spiritual discipline that reshapes how we view others.
And yet, despite its transformative power, this is The Hadith We’ve Neglected — in daily routines, online behavior, and even in our closest relationships.
Why This Hadith Matters More Than Ever
Let’s face it: We live in an age where everyone is busy protecting their own interests. The rise of individualism, digital echo chambers, and political polarization means we’ve drifted away from values like collective care and mutual responsibility.
Reviving The Hadith We’ve Neglected could be the solution we’ve been searching for.
1. Social Justice
Imagine how poverty, inequality, and racism would shrink if we truly practiced The Hadith We’ve Neglected. We would be unable to accept hunger, discrimination, or injustice — not because it affects us personally, but because it affects our brothers and sisters in humanity.
2. Healthier Relationships
Jealousy, resentment, and grudges would have no place in a heart shaped by The Hadith We’ve Neglected. Whether it’s in marriages, families, or friendships, this mindset transforms relationships from transactional to transcendent.
3. Mental Wellness
Loneliness and anxiety often stem from disconnection. Practicing The Hadith We’ve Neglected builds communities where people feel seen, supported, and safe — emotionally and spiritually.
The Hadith in Real Life: The Prophet’s Example
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) didn’t just preach this message — he embodied it.
From forgiving his enemies to uplifting the poor, from sharing food with the hungry to defending the rights of others, his life is a living example of The Hadith We’ve Neglected brought to life.
Even his enemies acknowledged his generosity and integrity. Why? Because he wanted for them the same guidance, peace, and salvation he cherished for himself.
The Ansar: Living Proof of This Hadith
The companions in Medina, the Ansar, embraced the emigrants from Makkah (Muhajirun) not just with words but with radical generosity. They offered to share their homes, wealth, and even inheritance.
Their behavior wasn’t inspired by politics or gain — it was the fruit of living by The Hadith We’ve Neglected. They loved for their brothers what they loved for themselves — and in doing so, laid the foundation of a thriving Muslim society.
Bringing the Hadith Back to Life Today
How do we practically revive The Hadith We’ve Neglected in our modern lives?
1. Pray for Others
When you raise your hands in du’a, don’t just ask for your own success — pray for your friends, neighbors, and even those who hurt you.
2. Be Generous
Whether it’s time, knowledge, or money, give freely. What you love for yourself — ease, success, growth — make sure others have it too.
3. Celebrate, Don’t Compete
Instead of feeling threatened by someone else’s blessings, use The Hadith We’ve Neglected as your guide to celebrate and encourage them.
4. Serve Quietly
True compassion doesn’t need applause. Help others without expectation — because you’d want someone to do the same for you.
In the Digital World
How would social media look if we lived by The Hadith We’ve Neglected?
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No hate comments.
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No passive-aggressive jabs.
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No envy dressed up as critique.
Instead, timelines would be filled with celebration, prayer, support, and solidarity. That’s the online ummah we need.
Why Have We Neglected It?
It’s easy to nod at this hadith and harder to live it. Why?
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Ego: We put ourselves first — always.
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Fear of Scarcity: We think lifting others lowers us.
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Lack of Empathy: We’re so busy we forget to care.
But The Hadith We’ve Neglected is not about perfection — it’s about effort. Every time we catch ourselves falling short and choose love instead of envy, compassion instead of judgment, we are bringing this hadith back to life.
The Ripple Effect of Practicing This Hadith
When one person practices The Hadith We’ve Neglected, it affects everyone around them. Kindness is contagious. Generosity inspires. Empathy builds trust.
Reviving this one hadith can start a ripple effect in families, workplaces, communities — even nations.
Final Thoughts: True Faith in Action
So, do you truly believe?
The Prophet ﷺ didn’t say “None of you is perfect…” — he said “None of you truly believes…” until your heart expands enough to love for others what you love for yourself.
This is The Hadith We’ve Neglected, not because we don’t know it — but because we don’t live it often enough.
Let today be the day we change that.
Let’s bring back:
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Love over envy.
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Compassion over indifference.
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Community over individualism.
Let The Hadith We’ve Neglected become the hadith we remember, live, and share — until its light reaches every corner of our hearts and homes.
May Allah help us embody this beautiful teaching and make us among those who truly believe. Ameen.
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