In the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy.
One of the greatest qualities of Islaam is the importance it places in building communities and societies. For this reason, one of the most rewarding deeds is for us to show care and concern for other people and strive to take care of their needs. To illustrate this, the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said,
The most beloved of people to Allaah (the Most High) are those who are most helpful towards other people.
The most beloved action to Allaah (the Majestic and Exalted) is happiness that you bring to a Muslim, an anxiety that you remove from a Muslim, a debt that you pay on his behalf or you free him from hunger [by feeding him].
That I walk with my brother [to take care of his] need is more beloved to me than performing I’tikaaf in this Masjid [i.e. Masjid an-Nabawi] for a whole month.
Allaah will conceal the sins of a person who suppresses his anger; Allaah will fill the heart of a person who suppresses his wrath – even though he could show it – with hope on the Day of Resurrection.
Whoever walks with his brother [to take care of his] need until it is fulfilled, Allaah will make his feet firm on the day when the feet will tremble.
A bad character corrupts actions just as vinegar spoils honey. [1]
This was the manner in which the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) as well as the righteous people before us lived their lives.
Shaykhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said,
Whoever loves to achieve the status of the righteous people and resemble the good people, then let him intend to benefit creation every day in which the sun rises… [2]
My dear brothers and sisters,
These are the beautiful morals and characteristics that our religion encourages us to implement and actualise. Let us strive to live our lives in the service of this religion, helping and benefiting other people and thus bringing them closer to Islaam.
Our Prophet was a Prophet of Mercy (peace and blessings be upon him), our religion is a religion of care and tolerance. In fact the virtuous companion Abu Moosa al-Ash’aree narrates, “whenever the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) would send one of his companions on a mission, he would instruct him,
Give people glad tidings and do not cause people to flee away; Make things easy [for people] and do not make things difficult; Obey [and help] each other and do not differ with each other. [3]
May Allaah guide us to being an avenue of good and benefit to other people.
May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet, his family and followers.
Written by the one in need of Allaah,
Abul Abbaas Naveed Ayaaz
Nelson, Lancashire
24th Jumaada al-Awwal, 1436h
March 15th, 2015
Footnotes
[1] Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar; Collected by Ibn Abi Dunya in Qadhaa al-Hawaaij. Albaani said: “its chain of narration is Hassan.”(Silsilah as-Saheehah (2/608)
[2] Ibn Taymiyyah; Kitaab al-Imaan page 106
[3] Narrated by Abu Moosa al-Asharee; Collected by Bukhaaree & Muslim
عن عبد الله بن عمر عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
((أحب الناس إلى الله تعالى أنفعهم للناس و أحب الأعمال إلى الله عز وجل سرور تدخله على مسلم أو تكشف عنه كربة أو تقضي عنه دينا أو تطرد عنه جوعا و لأن أمشي مع أخ في حاجة أحب إلي من أن أعتكف في هذا المسجد , ( يعني مسجد المدينة ) شهرا و من كف غضبه ستر الله عورته و من كظم غيظه و لو شاء أن يمضيه أمضاه ملأ الله قلبه رجاء يوم القيامة و من مشى مع أخيه في حاجة حتى تتهيأ له أثبت الله قدمه يوم تزول الأقدام و إن سوء الخلق يفسد العمل كما يفسد الخل العسل.))
روى ابن أبي الدنيا في ” قضاء الحوائج ” قال الألباني في “السلسلة الصحيحة” 2 / 608 : و هذا إسناد حسن , فإن بكر بن خنيس صدوق له أغلاط كما قال الحافظ . و عبد الله بن دينار ثقة من رجال الشيخين . فثبت الحديث . و الحمد لله تعالى ا.ه
