177- Abu ʿAbd al-Rahman Zayd ibn Khalid al-Juhani—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever equips a combatant in the cause of Allah has himself taken part in the battle, and whoever stays behind and looks after a combatant’s family with good conduct has likewise taken part in the battle.”
Agreed upon.
Explanation
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—cites this authentic report in the chapter on cooperation in righteousness and piety. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever equips a combatant in the cause of Allah has fought, and whoever stays behind to care for a combatant’s family with good conduct has fought.” This, then, is a clear instance of mutual cooperation in righteousness and piety.
If a person equips a combatant—meaning he provides him with three things: his mount, his provisions, and his weapon—he is counted as having fought, for the reward of the combatant is written for him because he helped him in doing good.
Likewise, whoever remains behind and cares for the combatant’s family with excellence is also regarded as having fought. Suppose the combatant wishes to depart but is troubled about who will meet his family’s needs; another Muslim volunteers and says, “I will look after your family and treat them well.” That volunteer receives the reward of the combatant because he assisted him.
Helping a combatant, then, takes two forms:
- Providing his mount, his provisions, and his weapon.
- Acting as his substitute among his family, for this is among the greatest—