Helping others is a fundamental aspect of Islam since the teaching itself promotes peace. Helping others is the main principle that all Muslims should have obedience to. Obedience is not only achieved through prayers, yet Muslims also need to maintain their relationship with other people, and they need to take good care of treating others. In the ideal form of society, all resources should be divided equally for everyone in society so that there are no rich and poor. Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ رُسُلًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِمْ فَجَاءُوهُم بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ فَانتَقَمْنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا وَكَانَ حَقًّا عَلَيْنَا نَصْرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“And verily, We sent before you messengers to their people, and they came to them with clear proofs; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes. And it was incumbent upon Us (to) help the believers.” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:47)
The act of helping each other in piety and righteousness is the thing that helps you to avoid Allah’s punishment. We, as human beings, may commit some unconscious sins. Helping others obligates you to have a little time wasted due to the productivity you achieve. In the modern era like this, we can keep helping other Muslims through the act of volunteering like raising money for the orphans and needy children or helping at the local mosque. Allah says:
إِنَّهُمْ لَن يُغْنُوا عَنكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“Indeed, they never will avail you against Allah (in) anything. And indeed, the wrongdoers some of them (are) allies (of) others, and Allah (is the) Protector (of) the righteous.” (Surah Al-Jathiyah 45:19)
Millions of people are starving and forced to live a life in the absence of basic amenities They do not have food, clothes, and homes to live safe and healthy. Whatever caused this situation, these people are humans and it is your primary responsibility to help as many as you can.
Here are some benefits of helping the poor and needy people:
- Helping others makes helps in relieving stress and depression
- Helping others promotes positive behaviours in teen
- Helping others reflects our gratitude to Allah
- Helping others helps us through our last day
- Helping others forbids us into the Hellfire
- Helping others Muslim as we’re one
- Helping others can cure our stress
- Helping others can erase our sins
- Helping others makes you calm
- Helping others makes us happy
- Helping others lowers blood pressure
- Helping others can help you live longer
- Helping others is good for the economy
- Helping others makes religiously satisfied
- Helping others may help with chronic pain
- Helping others as Allah will reward us goodness
- Helping others to organize with transparent aims
- Helping others to find ways to integrate your interests
- Helping others gives us a sense of purpose and satisfaction
- Helping others causes a chain reaction of other altruistic acts
One of the better ways to help the poor and needy people is to give them a hand up rather than a handout. Giving them moral support, showing heartfelt humility and respect makes them aware that someone does care about them and trying to improve their condition. Providing them with the opportunities to improve their condition on their own would increase their self-esteem and help them in overcoming barriers they face every day. Allah says:
وَلَمَّا بَرَزُوا لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ
“And when they went forth to (face) Jalut and his troops they said, “Our Lord! Pour on us patience and make firm our feet, and help us against the people (who are) disbelieving.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:250)
Helping others is an act of kindness. However, the act of kindness is also the main highlight in Islam as the religion of peace. Allah already told us that by spreading kindness to others, we will be rewarded with goodness in return. If we are helping others, Allah promises to help us in return. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ قَاتَلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَأَخْرَجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ وَظَاهَرُوا عَلَىٰ إِخْرَاجِكُمْ أَن تَوَلَّوْهُمْ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُمْ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَ
“Only Allah forbids you from those who fight you in the religion and drive you out of your homes and support in your expulsion, that you make them allies. And whoever makes them allies, then those [they] (are) the wrongdoers.” (Surah Al-Mumtahinah 60:9)
It is not just about helping the poor but also about saving kids and adults from choosing unethical ways. Several criminals forced were forced to do what was illegal and harmful to others. You can take an initiative to prevent kids and others from walking on that road. You can save somebody’s life by making a donation that can help people in gaining basic amenities. Allah says:
لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
“You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:92)
Poor people in every nation are always the ones who suffer the most. They are suppressed and treated as inferior to their richer counterparts. You can play a very important role in someone’s life if you help that person in getting a better education. This world needs more and more good people who can do good deeds to support others in improving their lifestyles. You do not need to spend millions of dollars; a few hundred bucks can also work to bring a smile to many kids’ faces.
Allah Almighty says in The Holy Quran:
- “And they deny [the] small kindnesses.” (Surah Al-Maun 107:7)
- “My Lord! Help me against the people the corrupters.” (Surah Ankabut 29:30)
- “But they plan and Allah plans and Allah is the best of planners.” (Quran 8:30)
- “You shall not attain righteousness until you spend out of what you love (in the way of Allah). Allah knows whatever you spend.” (Quran 3:92)
- “And those saved from the covetousness of their souls; they are the ones that achieve prosperity.” (At-Taghabun 64:16)
- “And not they can (give) them any help and not they can help themselves.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:192 )
Many patients lose their life because they cannot afford to pay expensive medical bills. These financially disabled people need help so that they can get a chance to survive. We should help living things that exist on this planet. Help others without any selfishness, there should not be any personal interest and whatever you do selfishness, will come back again to you when you need help. Allah says:
وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ لَا يُنصَرُونَ
“And We made them leaders inviting to the Fire, and (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection, not they will be helped.” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:41)
You do not need to be Superman or Bill Gates to be able to do something for those who are helpless. Through simple ways, you can make a difference in society. Who knows? Other people could be inspired by what you do, and they would act to help the poor too. Moreover, those you help in little ways now could be the ones to help you big time in the future. Allah says:
وَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ لَهُمْ نَصْرًا وَلَا أَنفُسَهُمْ يَنصُرُونَ
“And not they can (give) them any help and not they can help themselves.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:192)
Being a part of society, we equally must take the lead and come out of our houses to help the needy and poor. Ever imagined the number of starving deaths and emaciated people. Trying to be a human is the need of this hour and it can be attained in several other ways! Here are the ways you can prove your existence in society by helping the poor and the needy. Allah says:
وَمِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ
“And of (those) whom We have created (is) a nation, who guides with the truth and thereby they establish justice.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:181)
One should treat the poor and needy people with respect and understanding. This would make a huge difference in their lives. Give them the same respect and courtesy you would accord your friends and family members. Respond to them with a kind word and a smile. May Allah allow us all to be forthcoming in helping others and being leaders in kindness, compassion and empathy, Aameen.