Page 178 - The Importance of the Ahl Al-Sunnah
P. 178

HARUN YAHYA

               In our society, the indigent and the elderly also need our
               interest and help. The Sunnah states that every Muslim
               should care for any person in such a position:
               “Whoever strives to relieve the widow, the distressed, and
               the needy is as one who, in Divine reward, struggles in the
               path of Allah and who fasts permanently during the day
               and spends the night in prayers.” (Sahih Muslim)
               “For the young man who honors an old man because of
               his years, Allah will appoint men who will honor him in his
               old age.” (al-Tirmidhi)
               “To show respect to elderly people is due to the respect
               to Allah.” (Abu Dawud)
              The Neighbors’ Rights
              In the Qur’an, neighbors are singled out as people deserving
            to be treated well by Muslims:
               Worship Allah and do not associate anything with
               Him. Be good to your parents and relatives and to
               orphans and the very poor, and to neighbors who are
               related to you and neighbors who are not related to
               you, and to companions and travelers and your slaves.
               Allah does not love anyone vain or boastful. (Surat an-
               Nisa’, 36)
              The Messenger of Allah (saas) always helped his neighbors
            and treated them well so that they might lead a good life. He
            was very friendly with them and frequently asked about their
            well-being. He was always the first to help anyone in need of
            material or spiritual help in his circle:
               “Jibril (as) counseled me so persistently about the rights of
               the neighbor that I felt he was going to declare him an
               heir.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

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