SERVICE TO MANKIND
Social Service
ALL the teachings of Islam are based on two basic principles— the worship of God and the service of mankind. Without putting both of these principles into practice, there can be no true fulfillment of one’s religious duties.
In its followers, Islam inculcates the spirit of love and respect for all human beings. By serving human beings on the one hand they please God, and on the other they achieve spiritual progress for themselves.
According to a Hadith, you should be merciful to people on earth and God on high will be merciful to you. One can receive God’s reward in the Hereafter only if one has done something to alleviate the sufferings of mankind. In this way Islam links personal salvation to serving others. This desire to serving others should not be accompanied by any expectations in return.
Coming to the assistance of others is, in essence, an acknowledgement of the blessings which God has showered upon man. It is that person, who helps others who has something more than others. For example, one who has eyes comes to the assistance of one who has not been blessed with the precious gift of sight, an able bodied person will give physical help to the disabled and the man with resources will come to the aid of one who lacks them.
All the teachings of Islam are based on two basic principles— worship of God and service of mankind.
On all such occasions when one man helps out another by virtue of those blessings which God has given him, he is in fact showing his gratitude to God for these favours. He is saying within himself, ‘O God, whatever I have is all given by You. Now I am spending it in Your path, I pray for more blessings and mercy for both of us (the helper and the receiver)’.
Helping another is actually raising one’s own moral status. Making use of one’s possessions only for oneself is to live on the plane of animals, for the beasts share nothing with others. Man, superior to all creatures, lives on a far higher plane. The proper attitude in accordance with his status is not to keep to himself but to embrace the whole of humanity. He should lead his life as a well-wisher to all, a ‘giver’ member of society, ready to help everyone by accepting others’ rights over his own possessions. Social work in other words, is service to humanity. And after the worship of God, no task is nobler.
According to another Hadith, on Judgement day, God will say to a person, “I” was ill, but you did not come to nurse Me.” The man will reply, “God, You being the Lord of the universe, how can You be ill? God will answer, such and such servant of Mine was ill. Had you gone there, you would have found Me there with him. Then God will say to another person, “I was hungry but you did not feed Me.” The person will reply, “God, You are the Lord of the worlds, how could You go hungry?” God will say, such and such of My servant came to you, but you did not feed him. Had you done, so, you would have found Me with him. Then God will say to yet another man, “I was thirsty, and you did not give Me water to drink.” That person will also say, “God, You are the Lord of the worlds, how could You be thirsty?” God will say, such and such servant of Mine came to you, but you did not give him water to drink. Had you offered him water, you would have found Me there with him.
From this, we learn the Islamic principle that if someone wants to find God, he shall first have to make himself deserving of this by helping the poor and the needy. This act becomes a means of spiritual progress for him. And there is no doubt that it is only those people who have elevated themselves spiritually, who will find God.
Social work in other words, is service to humanity. And after the worship of God, no task is nobler.
This culture of mercy and compassion approved of by God is not limited to human beings, but extends also to the animal world. We must be equally sympathetic to animals. The Hadith gives us many guidelines on how to look after animals and treat them with fairness, there being duties to them laid down by God. One who is cruel to animals risks depriving himself of God’s mercy.
Islamic belief softens the hearts of its believers. That is why, when Islamic belief penetrates people’s hearts, they will of necessity become kind and compassionate to others. They will see everyone with eyes of love and compassion. They will have this urge within them to serve others and fulfill others’ needs.
If, even after adopting the beliefs of Islam, feelings of love and compassion do not well up in the heart of its adherent, he should rethink whether or not Islamic beliefs have truly found a place in his heart and mind, whether he is able to practice fully what he believes and whether he has succeeded in moulding himself entirely on the model of Islam.
When Umar Faruq, the second Caliph of Islam, travelled from Madinah to Palestine, he had taken only one camel along with him. He thought, if he continued to ride the camel during the entire journey, it would be cruelty to the animal, so it must be given rest. Therefore, he rode and walked by turns so that the camel should have periods of rest, until he reached his destination.
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It is only in serving people that we shall have a share in God's mercy
This shows that if the true spirit of Islam is inculcated in a person, he becomes so compassionate to all living beings, that, even at the cost of his own comforts, he extends a helping hand to others. According to a Hadith, “By God, he is not a Muslim who eats his fill, while his neighbour goes hungry.” This shows that a Muslim is one who is concerned with others’ hunger and thirst as he is with his own; who is concerned not only with his own person but with the whole of humanity.
According to another Hadith, you should, “extend greetings to people, feed them and earn your place in heaven.” This shows that according to Islam that person is worthy of heaven whose heart is eager for others’ peace and well-being, who is eager to share with everyone, whether it be food, clothes or medical help, etc. In short, one should share in people’s pain and suffering.
Islam is a religion of humanity. Islam considers serving others as a great act of worship. According to the teachings of Islam, it is only in serving people that we shall have a share in God’s mercy.
Intellectual Development
Healthy differences, inviting discussion and dialogue and intellectual
exchange, lead to intellectual development, while a ‘no difference’ situation
leads to intellectual stagnation.