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He should ask Allah to help him in using those abilities and then ask Allah and seek help in Allah for his needs that are beyond what he has the capability to perform. This is the correct approach as implied by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when he said, "A strong' believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer­ however, there is goodness in every [believer]. Be eager for [and strive after] what benefits you and seek help in Allah. And do not be too weak or lazy to do so." (Recorded by Muslim.) Does this Imply that it is Not Allowed to Seek Help from Others? Allah says in the Quran, .w ;Ii ,., ., ,., ,,,,. -.:_;J-a§l\j ъI l)jॱj "Help you one another in piety and righteousness" (al-Maaidah 2). This is a command from Allah for Muslims to help one another in acts of righteousness. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself sought help from others during his lifetime. During his emigration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sought help and assistance from a man from the tribe of Abdul Dail and used him as a guide. Similarly, Juwairiyah hint al-Haarith came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to seek her assistance in getting herself freed and the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not object to her act.2 These incidents provide evidence that it is not forbidden to seek help from other humans. However, once again, the seeking of help from others must be concerning matters that humans regularly have the ability to perform. Furthermore, the following passage from ibn Uthaimeen must be kept in mind, One should not seek help or aid from any human being except in the case of extreme necessity. Even in that case, if a person is forced into seeking help from another of the creation, he 1 Al-Nawawi notes that the meaning of "strong" in this hadith is, "of strong resolve, one whose mind is intent on the affairs of the Hereafter. The person of this quality is more forthcoming in opposing the enemy in jihad, he is quicker to go after the enemy and to chase after them . . . He is also more anxious and prompt in the prayers, fasting, remembrance . . . " See al-Nawawi, Sharh sahih, vol. 1 6, p. 214. 2 This was recorded by ibn Ishaaq in his Seerah with a chain that is hasan according to ibn Hajr. For this incident and other examples of people seeking help from other humans, see Mustafa ibn al-Adawi, Al-Tasheel li-Taweel al-Tanzeel (Riyadh: Daar al-Qaasim, 1996), vol. 1, pp. 53-54. Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi should make that as a kind of means or cause. He should not put his trust or reliance on that person. Instead, the actual source that he is truly relying upon must be only Allah. 1 In other words, as in the case of asking, one should realize that true help can only come from Allah-- that is, only if Allah wills it to come. Hence, even when seeking help from other humans, one must actually turn to Allah and seek His help to ensure that one's goal may be met through those humans. The Relation between this Hadith and Verse Five of Surah al-Faatiha In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised ibn Abbaas to be mindful of Allah, to know Allah during times of prosperity and to turn to Allah to ask of Him. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, ,,.. 0 o;J J ,,.. ,,. J . ,,.. ,,.. ,,,, ... ,,., J J J j ৷ 0 J'F ::r-fJI 01 ߎ ߏi ߐߑߒI ߓߔ Jl(, ) i) ߌ 0;ࢪ1 ; .. ࢫ:UI , , J ,,, ,,,. ,,,. ,,.. ,,.. ,,,. ,_'1:!i"1 !,Di"1 " / /\ ,.,. ࢜ ..::.-,J y ,.,. Å ' / / / / / "[lblis] said, 'My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the [dead] are resurrected.' [Allah] said, 'Verily, you are of those allowed respite till the Day of the time appointed'" (Saad 79-81 ).1 The last category of people are those who do tum to Allah and ask but, in reality, they are not truly seeking Allah's help or relying upon Allah. These people do not realize that they actually need Allah's help. They believe or act as if everything is within their own hands and power. They do not feel the presence and force of Allah. They are like deists2 in that they act as if Allah has created everything and then has left it and has no role to play in the lives of humans. If they actually do ask of Allah, it is like something that must be done or is traditionally done but they do not truly believe that it has any real effect. When they do anything, they act like they are all alone and Allah is not there to help them.