Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

ASSALAMALIKUM WA RAHMATULLAH WA BARAKATU

IS ASKING A HELP WITH OTHER`S .. OR ASKING HELP MONEY WITH OTHER`S FOR BUSINESS ...? IS ASKING HELP WITH OTHER`S IS A WEAKNESS IN ISLAM ...?

SO WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT ASKING FOR HELP WITH OTHER`S........?
SO WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY FOR HELPING OTHER`S...?

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Answer:

Can one ask help from others

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

SO WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY ABOUT ASKING FOR HELP WITH OTHER`S........?

What is absolutely and categorically prohibited in Islam, and what has been categorized as the one absolute unforgivable sin and crime of ‘shirk’ is that one asks for help from anyone or anything in creation in the ‘unseen’. The One and Only Being unto whom the believers are permitted and exhorted to ask for help in the ‘unseen’ is the Being of their Lord Creator, Allah Subhanah Alone.

Thus if one asks for help from a stone, or the sun, or a cow, or those buried in the graves, or absolutely anyone or anything in creation in the ‘unseen’…..they would be guilty of the unforgivable crime of ‘shirk’ in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

But if one has a genuine need and is occasionally forced to ask help from their brother, or friend, or colleague, or an acquaintance, or anyone who is in contact with them, or sees or hears them….there is absolutely no harm in seeking such help. Such seeking of help would neither constitute weakness of faith, nor would be considered a sin in Islam.

What Islam does indeed severely discourage is that one do no work to help themselves, but solely and constantly beg for the help of others….such begging or constant seeking of help is not only severely discouraged, but would constitute a sin in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 1850 Narrated by Hubshi ibn Junadah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "Begging is not allowable to a rich man, or to one who has strength and is sound in limb, but only to one who is in grinding poverty or is seriously in debt. If anyone begs to increase thereby his property, it will appear as laceration on his face on the Day of Resurrection and as heated stones which he will eat from Jahannam. So let him who wishes ask little, and let him who wishes ask much."

Sahih Muslim Hadith 2266 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘He who begs the riches of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals, so let him ask a little or much.’

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5287 Narrated by Abu Kabshah al-Anmari

Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "There are three things which I swear to be true, and I ask you to memorize them.

1. a man's property does not decrease on account of sadaqah (giving charity);
2. that when a man is wronged and bears it patiently, Allah will give him greater honour on that account;
3. and that when a man opens a door towards begging Allah opens for him a door towards poverty.”

Your Question: ….SO WHAT DOES ISLAM SAY FOR HELPING OTHER`S...?

If one sees that another is genuinely in dire straits, and one has the capacity to help and thus alleviate the persons misery…..it would be akin to piety and righteousness for one who sincerely believes in Allah and the Last Day to help that person and alleviate their suffering.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah Verse 2 (part):

(O you who believe) Help ye one another in righteousness and piety; but help ye not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah: for Allah is strict in punishment.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1668 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘If anyone seeks protection in Allah's Name, grant him protection; if anyone begs in Allah's Name, give him something; if anyone gives you an invitation, accept it; and if anyone does you a kindness, recompense him; but if you have not the means to do so, pray for him until you feel that you have compensated him.’

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan