THE HELPER OF THE WEAK AND INDIGENT

THE HELPER OF THE WEAK AND INDIGENT

Arabia, in the seventh century, was a tribal society where the rich and powerful devoured the weak. There was no recourse for the weak and indigent to redress the wrong done to them by the elites. However, the Prophet Muhammadﷺ educated the Arabs to change their behaviour in their treatment of the weaker members of society. He said: “Shall I not inform you of the inhabitants of Paradise? Every humble person who is considered weak that if he were to swear an oath by God, God would fulfil it on his behalf. And shall I not inform you of the denizens of the Hellfire? They include every callous, quarrelsome and self-conceited person.”

The esteemed Prophet ﷺ said: changed the perception of people in how they viewed the poor and needy in society. He “God only gives aid to this community of Muslims by virtue of its weak ones. ” The Prophetﷺ stood by the poor and indigent and spoke of their lofty status in the sight of God saying, “Look for me among your weak ones, for it is only by their virtue that you are granted provision and support.*³ He encouraged his followers to honour them and to treat them with dignity, saying: “Love the poor and sit with them.”*



* Set forth by al-Bukhärī in al-Ṣaḥīḥ, 5:2255 S5723. ▪Muslim in al Sahih, 4:2190 $2853.

¹ Set forth by al-Bukhari in al-Sahih, 6:1061 $2739. al-Nasa’t al-Sunan, 6:45 $3179; & in al-Sunan al-Kubra, 3:345 $6181. 3 Set forth by Abu Dawad in al-Sunan, 3:32 $2594. al-Tirmidhi in al-Sunan, 4:206 $1702.*Set forth by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak, 4:368 $7947. al-Mundhirt in al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, 4:67 $4827.