To help another out is a great act of worship
Al-Risala (English), December 1990, p. 23
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
To help another out is a great act of worship
1990 12 December 23 To help another out is a great act of worship (149) Abdullah ibn Abbas was sitting in retreat (Itikaf) in the Prophet’s mosque in Medina, when a person came and sat next to him. Detecting signs of distress on the man’s face, Ibn Abbas asked him what was the matter. “I owe a person some money,” the man replied, “and by the lord of this grave, I am not able to repay it.” “Should 1 speak to the claimant on your behalf?” Ibn Abbas left the mosque at once, the man reminded him that he was in retreat. “Perhaps you have forgotten,” he said. “I have not forgotten,” Ibn Abbas told him, “but – and it seems like only yesterday – I have heard from the lord of this grave,”–tears came into the eyes of the Prophet’s companion and cousin as he spoke – “that to do one’s best to help one’s brother is better than spending ten years in retreat.”
(Baihaqi)
