forms of assistance; for many people are unsure who will remain with the fighter’s family to see to their needs. When someone undertakes that responsibility, tending to the family and standing in for the combatant with excellence, he is deemed to have taken part in the battle.

A case in point is what happened to ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib—may Allah be pleased with him—when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ left him in charge of his household during the Tabūk expedition. ʿAlī said, “O Messenger of Allah, will you leave me behind with the women and children?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Are you not pleased that your position with me is like that of Aaron with Moses, except that there will be no prophet after me?”—meaning: I am leaving you among my family just as Moses left Aaron with his people when he went to meet his Lord.

From the example of the combatant we learn a general rule: anyone who helps another person in an act of obedience to Allah receives a reward equal to that person’s, without the latter’s reward being reduced in the least. If, for instance, you assist a student of sacred knowledge by purchasing books for him, securing accommodation, covering his expenses, or the like, you will earn the same reward he does, with no diminution of his reward whatsoever. The same applies if you help someone perform the prayer—by making it easier for him to pray in his place, in suitable clothing, in making ablution, or in any other aspect: a reward is recorded for you.

The overarching principle, then, is that whoever aids another in any act of obedience to Allah obtains a reward equal to that person’s, with no reduction in his reward at all. Allah alone grants success.