. I.ii . <': / f·g< "1// (cont.)

Instead, the process should be left until he is taken to the authorities and given the proper punishrnent.4 "Allah is helping the servant 5 as long as the servant is helping his brother." Some of the virtues of helping one another and fulfilling each others' needs were discussed in the commentary to Hadith Number 25 and Hadith Number 26. In this particular hadith, this is another example of being rewarded in a manner similar to the nature of one's deed. However, the believer should ponder over this particular example. If Allah is helping a person, is there anyone or anything that can repel Allah's help? Is there any greater help than the help that can come from Allah? How can one achieve that magnificent help? It is by turning to his brethren and helping them. As he helps his brothers, Allah will help him. 1 Al-Haitami, Fath, p. 257. 2 Quoted in ibn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 293. 3 lbn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 293. 4 Quoted in al-Haitami, Fath, p. 257. It is said that Imam Ahmad did not like taking even evildoers to the authorities because the authorities would either not perform the prescribed punishment or they would go beyond what is stated by the law. (See ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 293; al-Haitami, Fath, p. 257.) However that view is based on issues that are different from those being discussed here. 5 The way the hadith is stated puts an emphasis on the fact that the help is in or with the servant himself. The hadith did not actually state, "Allah is helping the servant in that" but it states that the help is, in essence, placed in the servant. This is a way of emphasizing the amount and type of help that such a servant receives. Cf., al-Teebi, vol. 2, p. 665. Hadith #36: "Whoever Relieves a Believer. . . " This also gives a picture of what the ideal Islamic society should be like. It is a society in which its members help and assist one another. However, they help and assist one another only in certain deeds and, obviously, not in other deeds. Allah has stated, 0 J :;; ,.,,, (. .,, ,.,,, ..,,.,,, ,,.. ,.. ._ ஖ ,.,,, "',.,,, ,,.. l_,.a.;lj ৼj:W lj ͻͼI l)j8 ':1) 9J a-1 lj ͺI l)j8j "Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness. And do not assist one another in acts of sinfulness and transgression. And be aware of Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment" (al-Maaidah 2). Hence, the different members of society should be working together and helping one another for everything that is good and righteous. They should help each other fulfill their needs and they should assist each other to make life easier for all. Another hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) demonstrates the importance of helping and serving one's brothers. Anas narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions were on a journey. During that journey, some of the Companions were fasting while the others were not. Those who were fasting became weak and were not able to perform the chores that one needs to perform while traveling, such as preparing the food, feeding the animals and so forth. Therefore, those who were not fasting tended to the needs of everyone. Although fasting is a deed that is extremely pleasing to Allah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated about their situation, f.वƃ rY.i1 0_,i:11 ৺৻. "Those who were not fasting took all of the reward today." (Recorded by al­ Bukhari and Muslim.) The Prophet's statement was an exaggerated statement to demonstrate that those who did not fast possibly received even more reward than the people who were fasting. This is because they were assisting and helping their brothers who were in need. Thus, their reward was very great. In fact, even after becoming the rulers, Abu Bakr and Umar used to continue to serve the people and help them fulfill their needs. Among the Arabs, it was considered very bad for women to milk the animals. Therefore, before becoming the ruler, Abu Bakr started the practice of milking the animals for the womenfolk in his area who did not have men present to milk for them. After becoming the ruler, he continued to do that on their behalf. Umar also used to deliver water to the elderly widows even after he became the ruler. 1 Al-Bugha and Mistu state that assisting one's brother is not restricted to assisting him by doing some deed on his behalf. It also includes the other deeds previously referred to in this hadith, such as rescuing him from a 1 See ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 295. 1087 - Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi distressful situation, relieving his debt and interceding on his behalf.