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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