A Muslim Is One Who Does Good to Others

✒ Dhulkarshan Aalikkal

17 October 2026, 6 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH

When a person faces difficulties or is tested in life, whether physically, emotionally, or financially, receiving help from others is one of the things they long for most. We see such acts of help and cooperation taking place abundantly in society.

For this purpose, numerous voluntary organisations operate in both cities and rural areas. One of Kerala’s distinctive features is the way these organisations compete with one another in carrying out social welfare activities. However, some people also exploit these systems for their own benefit.

For some people, helping others is a source of great enthusiasm and happiness. They find fulfilment and satisfaction in doing so.

Some people receive the kind of support from outsiders that they might otherwise expect from their own families. After all, people are different in their ways of thinking and acting. Some may think, “Who will know if I help someone within my own family?” They believe that helping others outside the family is more likely to be noticed by people and may even earn them the recognition and respect of being generous.

Yet, there are some people who are not wealthy and live on what they earn each day, but still eagerly seek to ease the hardships of others. They neither expect society’s recognition nor even a word of thanks in return. The Companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ were people who placed others’ needs before their own.

Allah says:
And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,
[Saying], We feed you only for the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. (76:8,9)

There are individuals, organisations, and groups who think and act in this way, choosing not to publicise their charitable deeds. However, some individuals and groups turn their acts of assistance into social media content to gain reach and earn money from it. Such acts of charity, which hurt another person’s dignity, can never truly fulfil their intended purpose.

Being able to recognise the difficulties of others and offer them help is not something everyone can do. It is a blessing granted only to those who receive Allah’s mercy and guidance. Such acts of kindness can arise only from hearts filled with goodness.

Look how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reminds us of the blessings bestowed upon those who help others through their hardships and distress:

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” (Muslim).