On the authority of Abu Huraira (RadhiAllahu Anhu) from the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) who said:
“Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter. Whoever alleviates [the situation of] one in dire straits who cannot repay his debt, Allah will alleviate his lot in both this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslims, Allah will conceal [his faults] in this life and the Hereafter. Allah is helping the servant as long as the servant is helping his brother. Whoever follows a path in order to seek knowledge thereby, Allah will make easy for him, due to it, a path to Paradise. No people gather together in a house of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descended upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them and Allah makes mention of them to those in His presence. Whoever is slowed by his deeds will not be hastened forward by his lineage.”
[Recorded in Muslim]
“Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter.”
In this hadith, a kurbah or distress, is that which distresses the soul and preoccupies the mind. In this life, there are many things that could be described as a kurbah, and a person may face difficulties, problems and challenges everyday of their life.
As Muslims, we should strive to help each other when we are in need, and remove any difficulties that others may be facing. We may do this by giving them advice, sharing our wealth, making dua, or using other things that are within our means or authority. If we do so, Allah promises to reward us with something much better – the removal of a difficulty from the difficulties of the Hereafter. Let’s reflect for a moment on just one of difficulties of the Day of Judgement:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the sun would draw so close to the people that there would be left only the distance of one mile… The people would be submerged in perspiration according to their deeds. Some will be up to their knees, some up to the waist and some would have the bridle of perspiration,” and he pointed his hand toward his mouth.”
[Recorded in Muslim]
SubhanAllah, who is there who would not want Allah to remove one of their difficulties on this Day? This is really one of the most valuable things we could be promised. What better incentive could there be to strive to relieve the burden of our fellow Muslims?