The psychological aspect of support must also not be overlooked; the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, broadly referred to it when he said:
“A man who alleviates the suffering of believer in this world, Allah will alleviate his suffering on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Muslim]
Moreover, he, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would ask after his Companions, if he did not see them for a while, and talk about their problems. There are many examples of this in the Sunnah; Salman Al-Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him, was an enslaved man; so, when a piece of gold the size of a chicken’s egg was brought to the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as part of the spoils of war, remembering that Salmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, still needed money to pay for his emancipation, he, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, asked:
“What did the Persian (man) do with his emancipation contract.”
He sent a man to bring Salmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, and when he arrived, the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said,
“O Salman, take this (piece of gold) and pay for your contract of release.”
[Ahmad]
Salman, may Allah be pleased with him, relates: “I paid them [i.e., my masters] the money and was freed. I then participated in the battle of Al-Khandaq (the trench) with the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and never missed any expedition with him.” Indeed, a preacher to Islam wins the hearts and minds of his people when they observe his consideration of them, taking care of their affairs and guidance of them to goodness.
Emotional support incorporates inquiring about the welfare of one’s brother or sister, ensuring he or she is fine and comforting him or her. When the Quranic verse in which Allah The Almighty Says (what means):
“O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him your speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you percieve not.” (Quran 49:2), was revealed, it is narrated that Thabit ibn Qays Ash-Shammas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “It is I [who is addressed]; I used to raise my voice above the Prophet’s, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. My deeds are worthless and I am destined for Hell!” He confined himself to his house in grief.
The Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, later asked after him; hence, some of the Companions went to him and said: “What is the matter with you? The Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, has asked about you.” They then informed him that the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said about him: “No; (What he is thinking is not true as) he is a dweller of Paradise.”
[Ahmad]
Such etiquettes let everyone receive proper attention from their mentor, making them all feel appreciated.
What is even more noble than the offer of mutual support, is when it is accepted in a measured manner by the needy; this was evident when ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, may Allah be pleased with him, refused to share in the possessions and wives of his brother from the Ansar, who was presenting all that to him. Instead, he, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “May Allah The Almighty bless your wives and wealth. Where is your market?”
[Al-Bukhari]
Thus, he asked him to show him where the bazaar was, so he could work with his own hands and become financially independent. This became a general trend for the Muhajirun, for, when they became rich after the battle of Khaybar, they reimbursed the Ansar for their earlier support. It was narrated that “when the fight with the people of Khaybar was over, the Prophet, sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, returned to Madeenah. Thereafter, the Muhajirun gave back the crops the Ansar had given them.”
[Al-Bukhari]
A society where mutual support prevails is an integrated society, that is capable of fighting in the cause of Allah The Almighty, united in a row, as if it is made up of a solid structure. On the other hand, a society where selfishness and niggardliness are dominant, has a fragile formation that is eaten away by internal feuds and grudges, rather than by the enemies’ wars.
Hence, which of the two societies are we going to choose to have and which morals will we adopt?