الادب المفرد
Adab al-Mufrad
كتابBook of Mutual Love Among People
بَابُ مَا يَجِبُ مِنْ عَوْنِ الْمَلْهُوْفِChapter: Helping the Distressed is Obligatory
Hadith 305
حَدَّثَنَا الأُوَيْسِيُّ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُرَاوِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ: سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: أَيُّ الأَعْمَالِ خَيْرٌ؟ قَالَ: ”إِيمَانٌ بِاللَّهِ، وَجِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِهِ“، قَالَ: فَأَيُّ الرِّقَابِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ: ”أَغْلاَهَا ثَمَنًا، وَأَنْفَسُهَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهَا“، قَالَ: أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ لَمْ أَسْتَطِعْ بَعْضَ الْعَمَلِ؟ قَالَ: ”تُعِينُ ضَائِعًا، أَوْ تَصْنَعُ لأَخْرَقَ“، قَالَ: أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ ضَعُفْتُ؟ قَالَ: ”تَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ، فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقَهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ.“
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that it was asked from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): Which deeds are the best? He (peace be upon him) said: "To have faith in Allah and to strive in His path." The questioner said: Which slave is best to set free? He (peace be upon him) said: "The one who is the most valuable and the best in the eyes of his owners." The questioner said: If I am not able to do some deeds, then what do you think I should do? He (peace be upon him) said: "You should help someone who is helpless, or do the work of someone who is incapable." The questioner said: If I am unable to do even this? He (peace be upon him) said: "Then refrain from harming people, for this too is a charity that you give to yourself."
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues:
Selfishness is the most fatal disease of this society. Every person’s thinking is limited to personal benefit, which is a deadly poison for society. In this world, those societies and individuals can never live in peace who have learned to live only for themselves. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has taught in this hadith that you should learn to help others. After fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah, this is the greatest virtue—whether it is financial assistance or physical. In both respects, we have collectively become selfish. The wealthy, after giving the obligatory zakat (alms)—and even those are very few—think that they have fulfilled their duty, whereas rekindling extinguished stoves and helping the helpless, the compelled, and the destitute is also an obligation, and negligence in this regard is also blameworthy. For further details, see the benefits of Hadith: 220.
Selfishness is the most fatal disease of this society. Every person’s thinking is limited to personal benefit, which is a deadly poison for society. In this world, those societies and individuals can never live in peace who have learned to live only for themselves. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has taught in this hadith that you should learn to help others. After fulfilling the obligations prescribed by Allah, this is the greatest virtue—whether it is financial assistance or physical. In both respects, we have collectively become selfish. The wealthy, after giving the obligatory zakat (alms)—and even those are very few—think that they have fulfilled their duty, whereas rekindling extinguished stoves and helping the helpless, the compelled, and the destitute is also an obligation, and negligence in this regard is also blameworthy. For further details, see the benefits of Hadith: 220.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 305
