1272 – Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “It is not lawful for a Muslim to shun his brother for more than three nights: when the two meet, this one turns away and that one turns away, yet the better of the two is the one who initiates the greeting of peace.” Agreed upon. (1)

Vocabulary of the ḥadith
• “To shun his brother” (an yahjura akhāhu): hajr (severance) means abandonment. Here it refers to a believer refraining from speaking to his fellow believer when they meet, each of them turning away from the other.

Lessons derived from the ḥadith
1 – A Muslim owes other Muslims significant and numerous rights that are set out in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Imām al-Ghazālī enumerated a fine selection of them in Ihyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, including: greeting him with salām when you meet him; responding to his invitation; visiting him when he is ill; attending his funeral when he dies; honoring his oath; offering sincere advice when he asks for it; safeguarding him in his absence; loving for him what you love for yourself; and disliking for him what you dislike for yourself. These noble qualities are all drawn from authentic ḥadiths.

2 – If these are only some of the rights urged upon you by your noble religion, how becoming is it, then, to shun him, cut him off, and turn away from him? Undoubtedly such conduct is wholly at odds with the manners of Islam.

3 – It is forbidden to shun a Muslim for more than three days; extending the boycott beyond that limit is impermissible.

4 – Al-Shurḥ al-Iqnāʿ states: The prohibited hajr is lifted by giving the salām, for the salām brings about mutual affection