Help your fellow man and you will be most loved by Allah, worshippers will be told in Friday’s sermon.
The sermon cites several sayings from Prophet Mohammed on the rewards of helping others and assisting them in their errands.
“A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection,” one hadith says.
This, the sermon will say, is proof of the importance of helping others in need – and does not only apply to gestures such as feeding the hungry or providing clothes and other basic needs.
From seemingly small gestures, such as spreading happiness to another, to everyday things such as helping to carry an item for someone or saving someone from trouble, are some of the ways to offer help.
Islam has always called on people to treat one another as if they were one and the same. “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself,” another hadith says.
Since the creation of humanity, people have had the sense to aid those in need, and, throughout history, prophets have provided the best examples of such generosity.
“Prophets were the quickest of people to seek closeness to Allah by doing good to the people and to work towards their welfare,” one hadith says.
Prophet Ibrahim reached a high status and was named Khalil Allah (the intimate friend of Allah) due to his good deeds for others, the sermon will add.
hdajani@thenational.ae