. I.ii . <': / f·g< "1// (cont.)

In some areas, Muslims are put into prison, both men and women, simply for demonstrating some of the outward manifestations of their faith. This is truly a great kurbah and distress. If other Muslims come to their rescue and relieve them from such difficulties, Allah willing, as this hadith demonstrates, their reward will be great as Allah will relieve them from difficulties and hardships on the Day of Judgment. One can only imagine what society would be like-- indeed, what the world would be like-- if every Muslim would take this approach to life. The Muslim would go out in search of those who are in need and troubled because he knows that by helping them, he is actually helping himself and, Allah willing, saving himself from great hardship in the Hereafter. This characteristic of actively seeking opportunities to help others should be found in everyone who considers himself a true believer and Muslim. Incidentally, according to al-Haitami, the mentioning of relieving a believer's stressful situation was simply for the purpose of honoring believers and emphasizing the importance of their good treatment. Otherwise, he says, the reward stated in this hadith applies to relieving a distressful situation of any human. This is because, as was mentioned previously, there is a reward for assisting any living creature. He also points out that the level of reward, though, decreases as the honor of the person helped decreases. Hence, first come believers, then comes non-Muslim citizens of the Islamic state followed Hadith #36: "Whoever Relieves a Believer. . . " by a non-citizen of the Islamic state who is allowed to visit the state and then comes non-Muslim citizens of non-Islamic states.' "Whoever alleviates [the situation of] one in dire straits who cannot repay his debt, Allah will alleviate his lot in both this world and the Hereafter." The Day of Judgment can be a very difficult and compelling day. This is how Allah described it with respect to the disbelievers, ,, ., ,.. (. ., ., ., 1फ »;1 c. otb) F j_;JT :;-;. Ϳ1 "The sovereignty that day with be the true sovereignty, belonging to the Most Gracious. And it will be a hard day on the disbelievers" (al-Furqaan 26). The only way to be rescued from such difficulties on that Day is by attaining the grace and mercy of the Master of that Day, Allah. In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) has mentioned one of the ways by which one may attain that mercy from Allah. Relieving one brother's debt is an act that is beloved to Allahand has obvious implications for the strength of the brotherhood. There are basically two ways by which one can relieve a person's debt and gain the blessings mentioned in this hadith. First, the loaner can wait until the impoverished debtor has the means to repay the debt. In fact, this is an obligation commanded by Allah. It is not right for a Muslim to demand his money back from a brother who he knows sincerely cannot afford to pay him. Allah says, "And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then grant him time until it is easy for him to repay" (al-Baqara 280). A second option is to reduce the debt or to forgive the debt completely. After the above statement, Allah says, with a reminder of one's meeting with Allah in the Hereafter: } .. ୉P.-P G i_;Ll\j ऩ o;ol:/; ( u;ब प ipl:a/i Jj ,,.. , ,.,._ J.. ,.. 0;$ -g :j ¯ )/ b ! '.;:'" ¥ /; y j_;; ͽ *\ J; ƻ "But if you remit it [the debt] by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know. And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly" (al-Baqara 280-281). 1 Al-Haitami, Fath, pp. 254-255. 1079 - Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi This hadith also includes giving the one in debt charity or a gift to help him pay off his debts. One may also extend him another loan so that he may pay off his current loan and have more time to pay off his new loan. There are numerous hadith related to this topic that also demonstrate the emphasis that Islam places on such behavior among brothers. For example, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said, ,., 'ం'I , , , , ȧథ 1ద-:. Ȩ Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi with such events, it is a sign that his faith has a shortcoming. Allah is definitely not pleased with such a situation as He has said in the Quran, yl1 1:61 \ौ1* n \ . j \ 6 ·./; J 0W (.r-.:JI ्1 ......_.,; .. , l5::, ,.. ,.. ,,.. ,,. (.