Hadith: Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and arrange for the release of captives

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«أَطْعِمُوا الجَائِعَ، وَعُودُوا المَرِيضَ، وَفُكُّوا العَانِيَ».
[صحيح] - [رواه البخاري] - [صحيح البخاري: 5373]

Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and arrange for the release of captives."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Bukhari] - [Sahih Bukhari - 5373]

Explanation

The Prophet (ﷺ) clarified that among the rights a Muslim has over his fellow Muslim are: feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and freeing the captive.

Benefits from the Hadith

1. Encouragement of cooperation and mutual support among Muslims.
2. Encouragement to feed the hungry who need food, as this is a commanded act.
3. The legitimacy of visiting the sick—to comfort their hearts, pray for them, and attain reward, among other benefits.
4. The importance of striving to free a captive if he is taken by the disbelievers—whether through paying a ransom for his release or by arranging an exchange of captives.