The act of visiting one another for the sake of Allah is rewarding. We are living in a divided world where physical distances can create emotional gaps. Believers can bridge this gap by paying visits to each other. It serves as an occasion to strengthen the bond of the community. It uplifts hearts, shares burdens, and increases a sense of belonging. When believers come together with pure intentions to reinforce their brotherhood, they unlock a realm of divine grace and blessings into their lives.
Visiting Neighbors
Visiting neighbors has always been at the core of building strong communities. It provides a chance to connect deeper by sharing homemade treats, swapping stories on porches, and discovering hidden talents. From impromptu dinner invitations to lending a cup of sugar, these visits spark connections that transform mere neighbors into lifelong friends and family. Al-Hasan narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said:
“Who will take these statements from me so that he may act upon them or teach the one who will act upon them?” So Abu Hurairah said: “I said: ‘I shall, O Messenger of Allah!’ So he (s.a.w) took my hand and enumerated five (things); he said: “Be on guard against the unlawful and you shall be the most worshiping among the people, be satisfied with what Allah has allotted for you and you shall be the richest of the people, be kind to your neighbor and you shall be a believer, love for the people what you love for yourself, and you shall be a Muslim. And do not laugh too much, for indeed increased laughter kills the heart.” [1]
Visiting Relatives
Visiting relatives holds immense value of strengthening family ties and nurturing love. It fosters a sense of belonging, preserves good traditions, and creates long-lasting memories. We visit to offer support, share joys and sorrows, and build bonds of kinship. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ وَٱلْإِحْسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآئِ ذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَٱلْبَغْىِ ۚ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
“Indeed, Allah commands justice, grace, as well as a courtesy to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful.” [2]
Visiting the Sick
Islam put emphasis on visiting the sick and offers rewards for a person who visits his sick brother. Paying a visit to the sick is an act of compassion and empathy, which results in comfort and solace. It offers emotional support, uplifts spirits, and brings hope of health for the sick. By showing care and concern, we alleviate their loneliness and manifest the healing power of human interaction. Such visits bestow strength and resilience to both the sick and the visitor. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever visits the sick, or visits his brother in Faith, a caller calls out: ‘May you have goodness and livelihood be good, and may you dwell in an adobe in Paradise.'” [3]
The Rewards and Benefits of Visiting One Another for the Sake of Allah
Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah till he returns.” [4]
We meet our companions, colleagues, friends, or relatives on a daily basis, but do we really meet each other for the sake of Allah? We barely intended to see each other for Allah’s sake. Islam rewards your intention by adoring your act of visiting your brother in faith. Visiting your brother is just like picking fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah.
Strengthening the Bonds of Brotherhood and Sisterhood
Visiting one another for the sake of Allah brings several rewards. When we meet our fellow believers for the sake of Allah, we uplift the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood. It increases the chances of unity and makes a stronger community. We show love and compassion by meeting and fostering the act of kindness and empathy. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “A man set out to visit a brother (in Faith) in another town, and Allah sent an angel on his way. When the man met the angel, the latter asked him, “Where do you intend to go?” He said, “I intend to visit my brother in this town.” The angel said, “Have you done any favor to him?” He said, “No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious.” Thereupon the angel said, “I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake)” [5]
Encouraging building an empathetic society
When we visit our brothers in faith, we come to know about their struggles and difficulties. It unlocks the world of charitable possibilities. It becomes an opportunity to empathize with our brothers and lend our help to relieve their burden. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgment. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter. And whoever covers (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will cover (his faults) for him in the world and the Hereafter. And Allah is engaged in helping the worshipper as long as the worshipper is engaged in helping his brother.”[6]
By visiting, we promote the grounds for compassion to flourish, knowing that Allah helps those who help others. Our visits become an avenue for transformative impact, where we become agents of positive change, spreading love and making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Encouraging to perform our religious rituals together
Visiting fellow believers opens the doors of divine blessings and rewards. It always helps us to achieve groups while performing religious rituals collectively. It inspires our spirits of remembering Allah in groups to get huge rewards. The melodies of our worship reverberate through the air, echoing the beauty of our Faith. Our collective dedication kindles and fuels our commitment to Allah. Abu Hurairah and Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“When a group of people assembles for the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah’s) mercy envelops them, Sakinah or tranquility descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.”[7]
Conclusion
In conclusion, visiting one another for the sake of Allah is a transformative act that carries profound rewards and benefits. We strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood as we embrace the diversity of cultures and traditions. We create a sense of unity, foster understanding, respect, and humility. These visits provide opportunities for knowledge and wisdom to flourish, and we can uplift one another and provide solace during times of need. We can forge a spiritual connection and deepen our relationship with Allah. In the realm of visiting for the sake of Allah, hearts are nourished, bonds are fortified, and the grace and blessings of the divine are abundant.
Visiting one another for the sake of Allah is rewarding and part of an amazing content series. For more, you are encouraged to follow our whole series, Time to Revive, where we discuss the forgotten Sunnah or Prophet Muhammad, Peace be Upon Him, and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice.
References
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2305: Book 36, Hadith 2
- Al Quran (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)
- Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2008: Book 27, Hadith 114
- Riyad as-Salihin 898: Book 6, Hadith 5
- Riyad as-Salihin 361: Introduction, Hadith 361
- Jami at-Tirmidhi: Book 27, Hadith 36
- Riyad as-Salihin: 1448: Book 15, Hadith 41
