Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Al ‘Aas relates that the Holy Messenger ﷺ said: “A Muslim is a person who does not harm another Muslim with his tongue or hands, and an emigrant is one who gives up that which Allah has forbidden.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Islam is a religion of peace. It lays much emphasis on and enjoins the believers to establish and maintain unity and brotherhood among the Muslims. There are numerous Ahadith that deal with the rights of Muslims upon fellow Muslims.
In this hadīth the Holy Messenger ﷺ says that a Muslim is a person who does not harm another Muslim. Causing harm to others is simply inhuman. It cannot be acknowledged in a civilized society, Muslim or otherwise. But the hadīth specifically mentions the harms caused by one’s tongue or hands.
The tongue is a small but very vital part of the body. Sometimes people tend to misuse the tongue when they indulge in vices like calling names, telling lies and backbiting. The hadīth prohibits a Muslim from indulging in this misuse rather abuse of the tongue, for it does not behove a believer.
The hands are also vital organs of the body. The hadīth prohibits Muslims from harming fellow Muslims with the hands such as beating, writing a satire, killing, etc.
The rider part of the hadīth defines the emigrant as a person who keeps from what Allah has forbidden. And, this is the least a Muslim is expected of.