Helping One Another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa

Helping one another in Al-Birr (righteousness) and At-Taqwa (piety) is one of the indications of greatness and majesty in Islam.

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Ma’idah (5:2):

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety) and do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah, verily, Allaah is severe in punishment.”

Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “(Help one another in righteousness and piety) that is, help one another to be righteous. The word Birr (translated here as righteousness) includes everything that Allaah loves and that pleases Him of both inward and outward actions having to do with the rights of Allaah and the rights of other people.

In this context, the word Taqwa (translated here as piety) includes refraining from everything that Allaah and His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) hate of both inward and outward actions.

Thus, we are commanded to do every deed that is regarded as good and commanded to refrain from every deed that is regarded as evil. Everyone is enjoined to do that and to cooperate with his fellow believers in saying and doing everything that will motivate and encourage other people to do that.

(And do not help one another in sin) that is, overstepping the mark by doing acts of disobedience that incur a burden of sin and may be a cause of unease and embarrassment. (And transgression) that is, transgressing against people regarding their bloodline, wealth and honor. One must refrain from acts of sin and wrongdoing and help others to refrain also.

(Fear Allaah, for Allaah is severe in punishment) towards those who disobey Him and transgress His sacred limits. So respect the limits lest punishment befall you in this world and the Hereafter.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]

Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah commands His believing servants to help one another perform righteous good deeds, which is the meaning of Al-Birr, and to avoid sins, which is the meaning of At-Taqwa. Allaah forbids His servants from helping one another in sin, Ithm and committing the prohibitions. Ibn Jarir said that Ithm means abandoning what Allaah has ordained, while transgression means overstepping the limits that Allaah set in our religion, along with overstepping what Allaah has ordered concerning ourselves and others.” [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

Allaah (Ta’ala) also says in Surat Al-‘Asr (103:1-3):

وَالْعَصْرِ

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرِ

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ

“By the ‘Asr (the time). Verily! Man is in loss. Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth (i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allaah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allaah has forbidden), and recommend one another to patience (for sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allaah’s Cause during preaching His Religion of Islamic Monotheism or Jihaad, etc.).”

Here Allaah swears by the time in which people’s deeds take place, whether good or evil, that every person is in loss and destruction. Allaah makes an exception among the humankind being in loss and they are those who have the following four qualities:

1. Belief in that which Allaah has commanded us to believe in:-

Belief and faith cannot be sound unless it is based on knowledge.

2. Doing righteous deeds:-

which includes all good deeds, both inward and outward, having to do with duties towards Allaah and towards His slaves, both obligatory and recommended

3. Exhorting one another to hold fast to the truth and do righteous deeds:-

i.e. encourage and urge one another to do good and forbid them from evil.

1. Exhorting one another to be patient in obedience to Allaah;

and refrain from disobedience towards Him;

to be patient in accepting the painful decrees of Allaah;

to be patient with the plots, evils and harms of those who harm people due to their commanding them to do good and forbidding them from evil, i.e. when one is making Dawah and enjoins or advises with the good, he may receive some harm from people.

Aspects of Helping One Another in Al-Birr (Righteousness)

1. Helping one another to hold fast to the Book (the Qur’an) and the Sunnah and help one another to fulfill the correct belief and Manhaj (methodology) which leads one to the degree of certainty

2. Helping one another to enjoin the Ma’roof (the good) and forbid the Munkar (evil)

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-Imran (3:104):

وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

“Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’roof [i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all what Islam orders one to do] and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all what Islam has forbidden). And it is those who are successful.”

This is an instruction from Allaah to the believers, that among them there should be a group that takes on the task of calling people to His way and explains His religion to the people. This includes the scholars who teach the religion, the preachers who call the people of other religions to enter Islam and call those who have gone astray to mend their ways, those who strive in the cause of Allaah and those who have the task of checking on people and making them adhere to the rulings of Islam and so forth. [Tayseer Al-Kareem]

The goodness of this Ummah (nation) is joined with the sublime help of one another which the people of grace, knowledge and perfection seek.

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-Imran (3:110):

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ ۗ

“You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of people ever raised up for mankind, you enjoin Al-Ma’roof and forbid Al-Munkar, and you believe in Allaah.”

This great matter is followed and joined with helping one another to raise the banner of Islamic Da’wah, call people to the guidance of the best of creation, Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and the guidance of the rightly guided Caliphs after him, and his noble Companions.

Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He who calls to a guidance, will earn a reward like the reward of those who accept his call, without decreasing their rewards. Whoever calls to a heresy, will carry a burden like the burden of those who accept his call, without decreasing their own burdens.” [Muslim no. 2674]

3. Helping a Muslim fulfill the need of his Muslim brother

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered his followers to love one another, saying: “The likeness of the believers in their mutual love, mercy and compassion is that of the body; when one part of it is in pain, then the rest of the body joins it in restlessness and fever.” [Muslim no. 2586]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said: “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim. So he should neither oppress him nor hand him over to an oppressor. And whoever fulfils the needs of his brother, Allaah will fulfil his needs.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6951]

Whoever acts upon what this brotherhood requires (entails) will exert his utmost to seek the good for his brother and avoid all that harms him.

*This Hadeeth emphasizes the rights of a Muslim towards his Muslim brother and what his duty towards him should be.

*In another narration, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort (distress), Allaah will bring him out of the discomfort (distress) of the Day of Resurrection.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 2442]

This is great reward for whoever removes a distress from his Muslim brother. What is the distress of the Day of Resurrection compared to the distresses of the Dunya (worldly life)?

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The most beloved people to Allaah are those who are the most beneficial to people. The most beloved deed to Allaah is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his distresses, or to settle (remove) his debt, or to repel his hunger. To walk with a brother regarding a need is more beloved to me than if I would seclude myself in this mosque in Madinah for a month. Whoever swallows (withholds) his anger, then Allaah will conceal his faults. Whoever suppresses his rage, even though he could fulfil his anger if he wished, then Allaah will secure his heart on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, then Allaah Almighty will make his footing firm across the Sirat (the bridge) on the Day when the footings are shaken (slippery).” [Al-Silsilah As-Saheeha no. 906 and Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh]

Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “On every Muslim there is enjoined (a compulsory) Sadaqah (alms).” They (the people) asked: “If one has nothing?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “He should work with his hands so that he may benefit himself and give it in charity.” They said: “If he cannot work, or does not work?” He said: “Then he should help the oppressed, unhappy person (by word or action or both).” They said: “If he does not do it?” He said: “Then he should enjoin what is good” or said “what is Al-Ma’roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained).” They said: “If he does not do that?” He said: “Then he should refrain from ash-Shar (doing evil e.g. practicing polytheism of different kinds and all that is evil and bad), for that will be considered for him a Sadaqah (charity).” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6022]

Abu Musa (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “Whenever a beggar came to Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) or he was asked for something, he would intercede (and say to his Companions): ‘Help and recommend (intercede for him) and you will receive the reward for it; and Allaah will bring about what He will through His Prophet’s tongue.‘” [Al-Bukhaari no. 1432]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) urged his Companions to intercede with him on behalf of their Muslim brethren who needed something or had some difficulties. He meant that he was ready to listen to their intercessions for good people, and that they would be rewarded for their intercession. The Prophet however, prohibited interceding for those who were sentenced to one of the punishments that were ordained by Allaah and could not be changed in any circumstances.

One should bear in mind that fulfilling the needs of the Muslims is a means of keeping (maintaining) the favors (i.e. they will not be taken away by Allaah from him).

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, there are bounties of Allaah which He has bestowed upon some people. He will keep them steady with them as long as they are fulfilling the needs of the people and as long as they are not bored of them, and if they are bored, then He will transmit it to other than them.” [Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 2616 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan Lighairihi]

Allaah granted these favors to certain people in order to fulfil the needs of the Muslims with a condition that they should not get bored of the people’s requests, or get bored of fulfilling the needs of their Muslim brothers with the favors and bounties which Allaah granted them. If they prevented the people from these favors or got bored of people’s requests, Allaah would remove it from them and give it to other than them. However, if they thanked Allaah for His favors, He would increase them in favors and keep these favors steady with them.

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned about this great matter saying: “Any slave upon whom Allaah bestows a favor and appoints to him the fulfilment of the needs of people and he shows annoyance and restlessness and he grumbles, then he has exposed that favor to removal.” [Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 2618 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan

4. Consoling and giving comfort to an injured person and supporting an oppressed person

Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” A man asked: “O Allaah’s Messenger! I will help him if he is oppressed, but if he is an oppressor, how shall I help him?” The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “By preventing him from oppressing (others), for that is how to help him.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6952]

Allaah (Ta’ala) never disgraces the one who helps people. When the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) returned with the first revelation and with his heart beating severely, he went to Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) and said: “Cover me! Cover me!” They covered him until his fear was over, and after that he told Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) everything that had happened (and said): “I fear that something may happen to me.” Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) replied: “Never, By Allaah, Allaah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist those afflicted by calamity.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3]

This Hadeeth indicates that the good deeds done to others protects a person from an evil demise. If a person is a good doer by his belief, statements and actions, Allaah the Lord of the world will protect him at a time the calamity descends. This is clearly shown in the statement of Khadijah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha), i.e. that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had an exalted standard of character. Allaah (Ta’ala) praised him as such in Surat Al-Qalam (68:4):

وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ

“And verily, you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] are on an exalted standard of character.”

5. Making conciliation between people, whether in the marital, family or social domain

Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:114):

لَا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْوَاهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَاحٍ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“There is no good in most of their secret talks, save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allaah’s Cause), or Ma’roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allaah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allaah, We shall give him a great reward.”

Abu Ad-Dardaa’ (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Shall I not inform you of something more excellent in degree than fasting, prayer and almsgiving (Sadaqah)?” The people replied: “Yes, Prophet of Allaah!” He said: “It is putting things right between people, spoiling them is the shaver (destructive).” [Abu Dawoud no. 4919 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh]

With this affability and unity, the sons of this Ummah will be able to build, grow and populate the countries.

6. Preventing the spread of rumors and lies

7. Helping the Muslim leaders who are in charge, the Ulama and those who are responsible for the safety of the country

8. Helping one another in refuting any misleading thoughts, ideologies and deviated methodologies like excessiveness and terrorism:-

Be moderate in all matters and protect the Muslim nation from Fitan (trials and affliction) of all kinds.

9. Helping the Muslim leaders to be united and avoid disputes

10. Helping one another in solving the problems of the needy and the poor of this nation, and the homeless people who were driven out of their lands:

One should not distance himself from the obligation of helping them.

In this way, Islamic unity is fulfilled away from partisanship/factionalism and fanaticism and sectarianism. One should feel honored with the Manhaj of the noble and righteous Salaf (predecessors) and beware of imitating the enemies of Islam.

 Sources

Khutbah of the Haram conducted by Shaikh ‘Abdur-Rahmaan As-Sudais (Hafidhahullaah) with the title ‘Aspects of helping one another on righteousness’

Tafseer Ibn Katheer

Tayseer Al-Kareem by Shaikh As-Sa’dee

Important lessons for all Muslims in Ramadhan – Helping one another on Al-Birr and At-Taqwa by Shaikh Ar-Raslan