This Hadith is quoted in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: Book 48 The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness / كتاب الذكر والدعاء والتوبة والاستغفار / Chapter 11: The Virtue Of Gathering To Read Quran And To Remember Allah / باب ففَضْلِ الاِجْتِمَاعِ عَلَى تِلاَوَةِ الْقُرْآنِ وَعَلَى الذِّكْرِ / as Hadith number # 2699 as under:
He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard-pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves) there would descend upon them tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allah mentions them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) lineage does not make him go ahead.
The Quran commands believers to show compassion and alleviate the suffering of others:
"And whoever saves one (life) - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:32)
Helping others in their times of need is seen as a noble act of worship that earns immense rewards from Allah. Relieving hardships strengthens bonds between Muslims and fulfills the Quranic principle of mutual care.
Allah emphasizes kindness and fairness in financial dealings:
"If the debtor is in difficulty, then let there be postponement until a time of ease. But if you give from your right as charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:280)
Offering relief to those in financial or other difficulties reflects the Quranic teaching of supporting the weak and ensuring justice and compassion in all interactions.
The Quran emphasizes forgiveness and covering the faults of others:
"And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you?" (Surah An-Nur, 24:22)
Concealing someone’s faults fosters forgiveness, trust, and harmony within the community, reflecting the Quranic ideal of promoting good and discouraging public shame or humiliation. Despite such directives both inn Qur'an and Sunnah, we find men and women (mostly) engaged in backbiting and not sparing a second to expose a fault with others.
In an other Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned that during his journey to the heavens (Israh) he found more women than men in Jahannam / Hell for they backbite others at their back and and exposed faults of others.
Please read our previous posts on the subject:
- What is the wisdom behind Prohibition of Backbiting (ghibah الغيبة) in Islam
- A Qattat will not enter Paradise
- Woe to every scandal-monger and backbiter
- Backbiting and slandering - The worst acts of a believer
- DO NOT Slander or Backbite your brother
- Selected Verses from Quran: Don't Backbite and be Excessively Suspicious
The Quran encourages believers to help one another in righteousness:
"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:2)
Supporting others ensures a society built on mutual assistance and brotherhood, a key aspect of the Quranic vision of a just and caring community. This aspect is somehow missing from our lives, both individually, collectively and as Muslim nations. Many a Muslim are being oppressed around the world, specially Palestine and Kashmir, yet by an large the whole hearted support of Muslims is non existent.
The Quran repeatedly highlights the importance of seeking knowledge:
"Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'" (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:9)
Acquiring knowledge about Islam, the Quran, and worldly matters is an act of worship that brings both personal benefit and societal improvement. However, having acquired knowledge but keeping it to oneself and not sharing with others is a disliked act. A wise and educated man must share his acquired knowledge with others so that they can also benefit from the knowledge that has been gained with much effort.
The Quran highlights the transformative power of its recitation and understanding:
"Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward." (Surah Al-Isra, 17:9)
Gathering in mosques to recite, learn, and teach the Quran fosters unity, tranquility, and guidance, connecting believers to Allah and His divine words.
The Quran emphasizes that deeds, not lineage, determine a person’s status:
"Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you." (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
This highlights individual accountability and the importance of righteous actions over inherited privilege or status.
- Compassion and Support: Relieving others' difficulties reflects Allah's mercy and earns His favor.
- Knowledge and Worship: Learning and teaching the Quran are acts of devotion that connect believers to Allah and His guidance.
- Righteous Deeds Over Status: Actions, not lineage, define a person’s rank before Allah.
- Community Harmony: Concealing faults, supporting others, and cooperating in righteousness create a united and harmonious society.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.