Serving humanity - Islam's mission
Serving and treating fellow human beings with courtesy and kindness is an essential part of a good moral conduct.. The Holy Qur’an details the teachings of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and all succeeding prophets from his son, Prophet Ishaque (AS)’s progeny. Their covenant is mentioned in Aayah 83-84 of Surah Al-Baqarah in these words:
“Remember when We took a pledge from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship none but one Allah; be good to your parents and kinsfolk, to orphans and the poor; speak good words to all people; keep good words to all people; keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms. Then all but a few of you turned away and paid no heed.”
“Remember when We took a pledge from the Children of Israel: ‘Worship none but one Allah; be good to your parents and kinsfolk, to orphans and the poor; speak good words to all people; keep good words to all people; keep up the prayer and pay the prescribed alms. Then all but a few of you turned away and paid no heed.”
The mission of Islamic life is to be of service and a source of comfort, and not a cause of hardship or discomfort to others. All human beings are not alike; some are well to do while others are under-privileged. Islam demands from the former to serve the latter and provide them what they need for survival.
Serving and helping others is serving Allah in the sight of Islam. If some one stretches his hand out to you to seek help, and if it returns empty, you than have refused to help Allah. To please Allah is through pleasing His bondsmen. The One in heaven becomes kind to you if you are kind to those who inhabit the earth. As narrated by Abu Hureyrah (RA), Prophet (SAW) said:
Serving and helping others is serving Allah in the sight of Islam. If some one stretches his hand out to you to seek help, and if it returns empty, you than have refused to help Allah. To please Allah is through pleasing His bondsmen. The One in heaven becomes kind to you if you are kind to those who inhabit the earth. As narrated by Abu Hureyrah (RA), Prophet (SAW) said:
Jarir bin Abdullah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “He who is not merciful to people Allah will not be merciful to him.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Kind treatment to Allah’s creatures is very much liked by Allah. Even animals and birds are included in this category. Kind treatment with them makes a person eligible to the Mercy of Allah. Decent behavior with people has been specifically mentioned in this tradition although all creatures are covered by it.
Kind treatment to Allah’s creatures is very much liked by Allah. Even animals and birds are included in this category. Kind treatment with them makes a person eligible to the Mercy of Allah. Decent behavior with people has been specifically mentioned in this tradition although all creatures are covered by it.
“…they give food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, though they love it themselves, saying, ‘We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: We seek neither recompense nor thanks from you.”
Abdullah bin Salaam (RA) prior to embracing Islam was Christian. He said that I went to see Prophet (SAW) when he immigrated to Madinah. The moment I saw his blessed face, I immediately knew that it cannot be the face of a liar. The first thing that Prophet (SAW) said was:
“O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e. say: As-Salamu Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Paradise in peace. [Tirmidhi]
To feed the indigent, meek and poor was the favorite act of Prophet (SAW)’s companions. Abdullah bin Umar (RA) did not eat unless there was person to share food with him. [Bukhari]
There is a great lesson for us in this story:
“Once a man came to Prophet (SAW) and said: “I am hard pressed by hunger.” Prophet found that he had nothing to feed him, so he (SAW) said to his companions: “Who will entertain this (man) as a guest?” One of the Ansars said: “Ya Rasul Allah I will.” So he took him home and asked his wife: “Have you got anything?” She answered: “Nothing, except a little food for the children.” He said: “Keep the children busy with something and when they ask for food put them to sleep. When the guest enters, extinguish the light and give him the impression that we are also eating.” So they sat down and the guest ate and they passed the night hungry. When he came to the Prophet (SAW) in the morning, he said to him, “Allah admired what you with your guest last night.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Aayah 9 of Surah Al-Hashr relates to this incident:
Abdullah bin Salaam (RA) prior to embracing Islam was Christian. He said that I went to see Prophet (SAW) when he immigrated to Madinah. The moment I saw his blessed face, I immediately knew that it cannot be the face of a liar. The first thing that Prophet (SAW) said was:
“O people, exchange greetings of peace (i.e. say: As-Salamu Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Paradise in peace. [Tirmidhi]
To feed the indigent, meek and poor was the favorite act of Prophet (SAW)’s companions. Abdullah bin Umar (RA) did not eat unless there was person to share food with him. [Bukhari]
There is a great lesson for us in this story:
“Once a man came to Prophet (SAW) and said: “I am hard pressed by hunger.” Prophet found that he had nothing to feed him, so he (SAW) said to his companions: “Who will entertain this (man) as a guest?” One of the Ansars said: “Ya Rasul Allah I will.” So he took him home and asked his wife: “Have you got anything?” She answered: “Nothing, except a little food for the children.” He said: “Keep the children busy with something and when they ask for food put them to sleep. When the guest enters, extinguish the light and give him the impression that we are also eating.” So they sat down and the guest ate and they passed the night hungry. When he came to the Prophet (SAW) in the morning, he said to him, “Allah admired what you with your guest last night.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Aayah 9 of Surah Al-Hashr relates to this incident:
Prophet (SAW) equated those who look after the needs of widows and the meek women with those who pray the whole night.
These are just a few examples to show the importance which Islam gives to serving, helping and assisting others morally and materially in their hour of need. May Allah enable us to be kind, compassionate, and helpful and perceptive in meeting the needs of fellow human beings and serve Allah’s family selflessly to win His pleasure. Aamin!
These are just a few examples to show the importance which Islam gives to serving, helping and assisting others morally and materially in their hour of need. May Allah enable us to be kind, compassionate, and helpful and perceptive in meeting the needs of fellow human beings and serve Allah’s family selflessly to win His pleasure. Aamin!
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