What Does the Quran Say About Helping Others?

What Does the Quran Say About Helping Others?

A revelation of God, the true word of Allah, “Quran” is the sacred and holy scripture of Islam. This is the book every Muslim is supposed to read, and not just read, but follow everything Allah has commanded. The Quran addresses a lot of things, and is a complete code of conduct. You may find stories of prophets, stories of nations from the past, and commandments, but most of the Quran teaches morals and ethics.

You can easily pick thousands of verses from this holy book that address the people to do good to others. A major portion of the Quran teaches to help others, and that is why helping others has been a key aspect in Islam. Today, we are exploring what the Quran says about helping others. So, let’s identify some of the verses of the Quran that determine why helping others is important and what is the reward for it. So, let’s begin!

Help Others in Good Deeds Only!

The Quran suggests to help others quite often but that help has to be in the righteous deeds. You can help anyone for a good cause. For instance, if a crippled person asks you for a glass of water, go get him. Similarly, if you can help someone with your knowledge and guidance, do it. However, you can’t help someone in tasks that are forbidden in Islam. For instance, you are not allowed to help anyone if he asks for a glass of wine; that’s forbidden in Islam.

In Surah Al-Maidah, the chapter 5 of the Quran, the verse number 2 tells,

وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖ

“Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah.”

Helping Others in the Form of Charity

A major portion of the Quran commands us to help each other in the form of charity. We can say that charity is one of the major subjects addressed in the Quran. You can find hundreds of verses of the Quran about charity, its importance and the reward you will get for it on the Day of Judgment and in this world.

In Surah Al Munafiqun, the chapter 63 of the Quran, the verse number 10 tells,

وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَـٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ قَرِيبٍۢ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

“And donate from what We have provided for you before death comes to one of you, and you cry, “My Lord! If only You delayed me for a short while, I would give in charity and be one of the righteous.”

The Obligation to Help Others

The Quran has not only endorsed helping others, but it has in fact commanded everyone to help others since Allah has helped him. Therefore, it is an obligation to do good to others.

In Surah Al Qasas, the chapter 28 of the Quran, the verse number 77 tells,

وَأَحْسِن كَمَآ أَحْسَنَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ

“Do Good As Allah Has Done Good to You.”

Allah is With Those Who Help Others – The Reward!

The rewards for helping others are immense. Though Quran has not mentioned many rewards but the hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) determine the rewards for helping others. For instance, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “If a person relieves a Muslim of his trouble, Allah will relieve him of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection”.

However, as far as the Quran is concerned, there is one massive reward for helping others mentioned in Surah Al-Ankaboot, the chapter 29 of the Quran, the verse number 69, i-e

وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.”

So, what’s the bigger reward than having Allah by your side?

That’s all from us today! May Allah guide us towards truth, morality and good deeds. (Aameen).