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Fatwa CenterThe Virtue of Assisting Muslims and Fulfilling Their Needs
Question
Asalamu Alaykum. My question is in regards to the hadith: "Allaah helps His Slave as long as His Slave helps his Muslim brother". I know when it comes to helping others, that it is a mustahhab act in general, but it is sometimes obligatory. Does the hadith only include when it is obligatory or does it also include when it is recommended as well?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His Slave and Messenger.
There are established texts encouraging the assistance of Muslims and the fulfillment of their needs. Among these is the hadith cited by the questioner, whose general wording encompasses aiding a Muslim in any manner whatsoever. This includes obligatory assistance, such as rescuing him from destruction, as well as other types of assistance beyond that.
It is stated in Mirqaat al-Mafaateeh, a commentary on Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh: “Allah continues to aid the servant so long as the servant remains engaged in aiding his brother,” meaning: as long as he is occupied with assisting his brother — that is, the Muslim, as mentioned in one narration — in fulfilling his needs. This indicates the virtue of helping one’s brother in his affairs, and that the servant is recompensed in kind through divine care and support, whether such assistance is rendered through the heart, the body, or both, in repelling harm or bringing about benefit, for all of this falls under the meaning of assistance. [End quote.]
It is also stated in Daleel al-Faaliheen ‘ala Turuq Riyaadh as-Saaliheen: “Allah is in aid of the servant,” meaning that He grants him assistance and success, “so long as the servant is in aid of his brother,” that is, for as long as he persists in assisting his brother — whether through his heart, his body, his wealth, or otherwise — for the wording is general and applies to all circumstances and times. [End quote.]
Allah Knows best.
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