Be Benevolent on Be Benevolent on EarthEarth

Get Allah’s (SWT) Get Allah’s (SWT) Benevolence in HeavensBenevolence in Heavens

4 PARTS OF THIS 4 PARTS OF THIS PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

What is benevolence in ISLAM.What is benevolence in ISLAM. Significance of benevolenceSignificance of benevolence Various forms of benevolent Various forms of benevolent

community and social services.community and social services. Benevolent community and social Benevolent community and social

services in North America. services in North America.

A- Through ICNA A- Through ICNA

B-Through other organizations.B-Through other organizations.

I-What is benevolence?I-What is benevolence?

((uncountable) disposition to do good) disposition to do good ((uncountable) ) charitable kindness (countable) an altruistic gift or act(countable) an altruistic gift or act

AltruismAltruism (from Latin: (from Latin: alteralter: the : the other) is the deliberate pursuit of the other) is the deliberate pursuit of the interests or welfare of others or the interests or welfare of others or the public interestpublic interest

I’tharI’thar

They give them preference over themselves even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls they are the ones that achieve prosperitySurah Hashar 59:9

I’THARI’THAR

Concept of I’thar is the notion of Concept of I’thar is the notion of ‘preferring others to oneself’. ‘preferring others to oneself’.

Islam considers those practicing i'thar Islam considers those practicing i'thar for seeking pleasure of Allah(SWT) as for seeking pleasure of Allah(SWT) as abiding by the highest degree of nobility abiding by the highest degree of nobility

A constant concern for Allah(SWT) A constant concern for Allah(SWT) results in a caring attitude towards results in a caring attitude towards people, animals, and other things in this people, animals, and other things in this world.world.

II-Significance of Benevolence II-Significance of Benevolence in Islamin Islam

Surah Nisa 4:36Surah Nisa 4:36

Surah Nisa, 4:36Surah Nisa, 4:36

Serve Allah and join not any partners Serve Allah and join not any partners with Him; and do Ehsan to parents, with Him; and do Ehsan to parents, kinfolks, orphans, those in need, kinfolks, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companions who are strangers, the companions by your side, the wayfarers you by your side, the wayfarers you meet, and what your right hand meet, and what your right hand possesses ( servants and slaves).possesses ( servants and slaves).

Other references in QuranOther references in Quran

Bani Israel, 17:23-38Bani Israel, 17:23-38 Al An’Am, 7:151-152Al An’Am, 7:151-152 Al Balad, 90: 8-20Al Balad, 90: 8-20

Prophet Mohammad’s TeachingsProphet Mohammad’s Teachings(MUSLIM, chapter ‘Birr wa Sila’)(MUSLIM, chapter ‘Birr wa Sila’)

Prophet(S) said: On the day of judgement Prophet(S) said: On the day of judgement Allah shall ask a personAllah shall ask a person

1- I was sick and you did not come to see 1- I was sick and you did not come to see me.me.

2- I asked you for food and you did not feed 2- I asked you for food and you did not feed me.me.

3-I asked you for water to drink and you did 3-I asked you for water to drink and you did not bring me the water.not bring me the water.

After listening to the answers, He shall say, After listening to the answers, He shall say, you would have found the rewards today you would have found the rewards today when you would have served one with when you would have served one with these needs.these needs.

Service to our Muslim communityService to our Muslim community(Muslim, Kitab Zikr wa Dua)(Muslim, Kitab Zikr wa Dua)

Abu Huraira® reported that the prophet(s) Abu Huraira® reported that the prophet(s) said,” Whosoever removes some difficulty said,” Whosoever removes some difficulty of a believer in this world, Allah shall of a believer in this world, Allah shall remove some difficulty from him on the remove some difficulty from him on the Day of Judgement. Whosoever provides Day of Judgement. Whosoever provides some comfort to the sufferer , Allah shall some comfort to the sufferer , Allah shall provide him comfort here and in the provide him comfort here and in the hereafter. Who soever covers someone’s hereafter. Who soever covers someone’s faults here, Allah shall cover his faults faults here, Allah shall cover his faults here and in the hereafter. As long as a here and in the hereafter. As long as a person is busy helping his brother, Allah person is busy helping his brother, Allah keeps helping him.keeps helping him.

Service to whole mankind.Service to whole mankind.

Whole creation of Allah is like His Whole creation of Allah is like His family. Most beloved to Allah are family. Most beloved to Allah are those who provide benefits to this those who provide benefits to this family.family.

Baihaqi: Chapter on kindness and Baihaqi: Chapter on kindness and mercy to mankind.mercy to mankind.

More AhadithMore Ahadith

Jarir bin Abdullah reports the prophet Jarir bin Abdullah reports the prophet said,” Allah is not merciful to one said,” Allah is not merciful to one who does not show mercy to who does not show mercy to mankind.” Tabranimankind.” Tabrani

Abdullah bin Masood reports that the Abdullah bin Masood reports that the prophet said,” You can not be prophet said,” You can not be believers till you show kindness to believers till you show kindness to others.” Musnad Ahamad.others.” Musnad Ahamad.

All services rendered are acts of All services rendered are acts of charity.(Tirmidhi)charity.(Tirmidhi)

Abu Hurairah® reported that the prophet(S) Abu Hurairah® reported that the prophet(S) said, "Every day when sun rises, charity is said, "Every day when sun rises, charity is incumbent for every joint( in you).” incumbent for every joint( in you).”

When asked if a person does not have When asked if a person does not have money then what is he supposed to do. He money then what is he supposed to do. He answered,” resolving dispute between two answered,” resolving dispute between two with justice is charity, helping someone to with justice is charity, helping someone to ride is charity, helping to load someone’s ride is charity, helping to load someone’s luggage is charity, saying good things is luggage is charity, saying good things is charity…..”charity…..”

Part III. Various forms of Part III. Various forms of community services.community services.

A- SOCIAL SERVICES:A- SOCIAL SERVICES:

. Feeding the hungry- Prophet (S) said,”O’ . Feeding the hungry- Prophet (S) said,”O’ People! Say Salaam, feed others, maintain People! Say Salaam, feed others, maintain relations, stand in Salaat at night while relations, stand in Salaat at night while others are sleeping and then enter Jannah others are sleeping and then enter Jannah with Salaam.with Salaam.

.Provide water-Whoever provides water to a .Provide water-Whoever provides water to a thirsty Muslim, Allah shall let him drink thirsty Muslim, Allah shall let him drink ‘Rahiq Makhtoom’.‘Rahiq Makhtoom’.

Social Services Social Services

. Provide clothes to wear-” When a . Provide clothes to wear-” When a Muslim clothes other Muslim, he Muslim clothes other Muslim, he comes under the protection of Allah comes under the protection of Allah as long as that dress is on his as long as that dress is on his body.”Mishkat.body.”Mishkat.

.Serving the sick with visit and medical .Serving the sick with visit and medical care. care.

Social ServicesSocial Services

.Serving the widows and poor. Prophet(S) .Serving the widows and poor. Prophet(S) said,” One who struggles to help poor and said,” One who struggles to help poor and widows is like the Mujahid in the way of widows is like the Mujahid in the way of Allah or like one who prays at night and Allah or like one who prays at night and fasts in the daytime.” Bukharifasts in the daytime.” Bukhari

.Serving the orphans. Prophet(S) said,”One .Serving the orphans. Prophet(S) said,”One who looks after the orphans is like these who looks after the orphans is like these two fingers with me in the Jannah.” two fingers with me in the Jannah.” Muslim.Muslim.

Social ServicesSocial Services

. Helping the oppressed and facing . Helping the oppressed and facing injustice. If someone’s rights are injustice. If someone’s rights are being violated then one must stand being violated then one must stand by his side and restore his rights.by his side and restore his rights.

Bara bin Azib said the Prophet Bara bin Azib said the Prophet commanded us of 7 things and commanded us of 7 things and forbade us of 7. One of the thing he forbade us of 7. One of the thing he commanded was “ Nasrul Mazloom commanded was “ Nasrul Mazloom or helping the oppressed.”or helping the oppressed.”

Community Services.Community Services.

Establishing Masajid. Osman® said Establishing Masajid. Osman® said that the Prophet(S) said,”Whoever that the Prophet(S) said,”Whoever built a Masjid to seek Allah’s built a Masjid to seek Allah’s pleasure, Allah shall build house for pleasure, Allah shall build house for him in Jannah.” Bukhari.him in Jannah.” Bukhari.

Establish Schools:Establish Schools: Establish clinics and hospitals. Establish clinics and hospitals.

Rafida® had a tent next to Prophet’s Rafida® had a tent next to Prophet’s Masjid and provided medical care.Masjid and provided medical care.

Community services in cooperation Community services in cooperation with non Muslimswith non Muslims

Cooperate in righteousness and Taqwa Cooperate in righteousness and Taqwa and do not cooperate in sins or rebellion. and do not cooperate in sins or rebellion. ( Al Maida:2)( Al Maida:2)

Prophet attended meeting at the house of Prophet attended meeting at the house of Abdullah bin Judan in Mecca and joined in Abdullah bin Judan in Mecca and joined in the resolution to stop inujustice. ( Ibn the resolution to stop inujustice. ( Ibn Saad).Saad).

Cooperation with the Govt in providing Cooperation with the Govt in providing social and community services.social and community services.

PART IV- COMMUNITY PART IV- COMMUNITY SERVICES IN N AMERICASERVICES IN N AMERICA

Services available through ICNA-Services available through ICNA-

1-Why Islam & Gain Peace Projects for 1-Why Islam & Gain Peace Projects for Dawah and community outreach. Dawah and community outreach.

2-ICNA Relief projects in N America:2-ICNA Relief projects in N America:

. Feed the hungry and homeless.. Feed the hungry and homeless.

.Zakah and Sadaqaat distribution to .Zakah and Sadaqaat distribution to the needy.the needy.

.Meat distribution to the needy..Meat distribution to the needy.

Services by ICNAServices by ICNA

.Muslim Women’s Help Network.Muslim Women’s Help Network

.UMMAH ( United Muslim Movement Against .UMMAH ( United Muslim Movement Against Homelessness)Homelessness)

.Muslim Family Services.( Premarital and .Muslim Family Services.( Premarital and marital counseling, divorce prevention, marital counseling, divorce prevention, individual and family counseling, domestic individual and family counseling, domestic violence prevention, foster parent violence prevention, foster parent recruitment.)recruitment.)

3-Youth training and development.3-Youth training and development.4-Matrimonial services.4-Matrimonial services.

Services through other community Services through other community organizations.organizations.

Activities through Masajid and Islamic Activities through Masajid and Islamic Centers.Centers.

.Establishing masajid.Establishing masajid

.Establishing schools..Establishing schools.

.Book services and libraries..Book services and libraries.

.Prison Dawah.Prison Dawah

.Youth centers..Youth centers.

.Adult education and skill development..Adult education and skill development.

Services through other Services through other organizations.organizations.

Political action. Muslim participation Political action. Muslim participation in the electoral process.in the electoral process.

Struggle for social justice & civil Struggle for social justice & civil liberties. Legal defense funds, liberties. Legal defense funds, lobbying.lobbying.

Struggle for detainees and their Struggle for detainees and their families.families.