The Importance and Effects of
Voluntary Work
Part one
Praise be to Allah, the Almighty, the Most High, to Whom belongs Might,
Perfection and Majesty! In His Hand, He holds the keys to the Heavens and Earth. He
does all that He wishes and commands all that He desires! To Him we shall all return!
I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone, with no associate, and that
Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah, a Prophet with great traits and
magnanimous attributes! May Allah send His Salat (Graces, Honors, Mercy), Peace
and Blessings upon him, his family, wives, Companions and upon those who follow
them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment!
Having said that,
The best recommendation to you, O people, as well as to myself is to observe
taqwa (fear of disobeying Almighty Allah). He who holds fast to taqwa and fears his
Lord for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in anger and contentment shall find it
illuminating his path in darkness, and guiding him in loneliness and misfortunes. It
is such as obey Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah and do
right, that will win (in the end). [Al-Nur: 52]
O people!
For a society to attain success and integration, it must have a solid structure
built from firmly laid blocks representing people's inner reality where all the blocks
are equal and the same, with no distinction between those at the bottom and those at
the top. Without this integration, the whole structure may not be to stand and hold
together. Any rifting in the structure or disregard to any of its building blocks would
inevitably lead to further cracks and eventually to the disintegration and collapse of
the whole building. This state of affairs applies to every society without exception.
Therefore, it is imperative for society to act as a single family in all integration
and concordance where the noble would lend their ears to the humble, the rich to the
poor and the old to the young, and where no one would feel alienated, as camels in the
desert while living amidst a huge nation and on one territory. Short of this, society
would be bound to slide into dissipation and disintegration, paving the way for the
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destructive spirit of selfishness, egotism and indifference to others. For what is the
value of a society where destruction outweighs construction?
No matter how great, affluent and economically developed countries may be,
this would not be enough for them to meet their peoples’ requirements or fulfill their
aspirations in time of need, let alone sustaining them.
At this point comes the role of the consistent and coherent society within
which is kindled the spirit of voluntary work, which is the corner-stone that bridges
the material, social, nutritional, security, and intellectual divide, besides fulfilling
other primary necessities, needs and luxuries.
When voluntary work prevails in society and shapes itself as a noble feeling
for those doing it and for fellow social members, it will indeed sweep away
selfishness, miserliness, monopoly and humility provided that it stays free of any
personal interest, favoritism or regionalism. Voluntary work has infinite beneficiaries.
The Prophet () says, "Regarding every wet liver (i.e. animate being) there is a
reward." [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]
Voluntary work, O servants of Allah, is bound by neither space nor time; it
stretches as far as its nature permits. Any work, if done without seeking pay or
reward, is voluntary once motivated by good intention. It is as broad and extensive as
the meaning of the word good itself. Here we need to make a little distinction between
voluntary work and charitable work. Voluntary work refers to work done at one's own
initiative, i.e. not requested by anyone. Charitable work, by contrast, is often carried
out in response to a prior request. However, both types of work represent the two
sides of the same coin; they lead to doing good for people in return for nothing, only
seeking Allah’s reward: (Saying), "We feed you for the sake of Allah
alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. [Al-Insan: 9]
The wise know that progress and resistance to disintegration and collapse are
what assigns value to society. They realize that volunteering is a necessity decreed by
heavenly and man-made legislations before and after Islam. It is a salient sign of the
purity of the volunteer’s nature, altruism, passion and kindness as these are the
attributes of the hunafa1 who have not been vilified by diabolical selfishness and
egotism.
This is corroborated by Khadija's ‒may Allah be pleased with her‒ description
of the Prophet’s () state, before he received divine revelation, when he returned
from the cave of Hira after having met with Archangel Gabriel (): "I feared for
myself", he told her. "Never!" Khadija said, "But have the glad tidings, for by Allah,
Allah will never disgrace you as you keep good relations with your Kith and kin,
1 Arabic plural of hanif ( حنیف ), i.e. true believers who profess the true religion.
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speak the truth, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guest generously and assist
the deserving, calamity-afflicted ones." [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]
What Hakim Ibn Hizam told the Prophet () proves that voluntary work is a
righteous human disposition before and after Islam. "You know that in the days before
Islam I used to maintain family ties, free slaves, and give charity." Hakim told the
Prophet (). "Will I be rewarded for any of those deeds?" he asked. The Prophet
replied, "You embraced Islam with all the good you did in the past."
This is the extent, the tolerance and the benevolence of Islam; it is urging
Muslims to do good and to cooperate with each other in order to promote it and help
attend to people’s needs.
Voluntary work represents one of the guided, eternal, comprehensive and
multifaceted images of Islam. It encompasses a variety of fields, such as economic
development where volunteering stimulates people and spurs them into taking a true
interest in endowment activities on account of the great impact they have on
economic development. Endowments expand the scope of financial operations while
keeping assets untouched.
Voluntary work applies to intellectual and social activities as well as da’wah
(calling for Islam), and the like, provided that it departs from routine and stiffness into
keeping pace with events and time, attracting qualified personnel, and establishing
study and research centers that would seek to address the community needs and
propose therapeutic and protective measures by engaging social awareness on the
importance of volunteering and its effect on the socio-economic rapprochement as
well as on affinity with religious.
A rapid glance at a single field of voluntary work –such as combatting penury
and providing the destitute with vital necessities– reveals that what the haves spend
on entertainment is enough to cover the needs of the have-nots in a whole city.
If half of the cost of a wedding party given by the rich were channeled to feed
orphans near of kin or poor people cleaving to dust out of misery, it would be a
blessing for the marrying couple, a source of happiness for the needy, a guard against
the evil eye of the envious, and protection against the punishment for committing
extravagance and thriftiness: And render to the kindred their due rights,
as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: But squander not
(your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts
are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord
(himself) ungrateful. [Al-Isra: 26-27]
This is our religion, and this is how we are taught by our Prophet (). He
wanted us to be constructive hands working towards people's welfare and success. He
wanted us to work and not to sit idle; he wanted us to share people's feelings and not
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to turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to their suffering. The Prophet () says, "Every
Muslim has to give in charity.": "(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what
should he do?" He was asked. The Prophet replied, "He should work with his hands
and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns)." "If he cannot
find even that?" He was further asked. "He should help the needy who appeal for
help,"he replied. Then he was asked again, "If he cannot do (even) that?" The
Prophet said finally: "Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil
deeds, and that will be regarded as charity." [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]
What is then the value of a society that spends very little in doing good?!
What do you make of a society where evil outweighs good?! What path could be
worse than this?! And what kind of pious and pure man could pass on such a steep
path?! But he has not attempted to pass on the path that is steep
(i.e. the path which will lead to goodness and success). 12. And
what will make you know the path that is steep? 13. (It is) freeing
a neck (slave). 14. Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 15.
To an orphan near of kin. 16. Or to a Miskîn (poor) cleaving to
dust (out of misery). 17. Then he became one of those who believed
(in the Islamic Monotheism) and recommended one another to
perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to
pity and compassion. 18. They are those on the Right Hand (i.e. the
dwellers of Paradise),[Al-Balad: 11-18]
May Allah bless you and me by the Glorious Qur'ān and make its verses and
wise sayings beneficial to you and me! This is what I have said. If it is correct, it is so
thanks to Allah, but if it is wrong, it is my own fault and Satan’s. I seek forgiveness
from Almighty Allah. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving!
Part Two
Praise be to Allah for His blessings, and thanks are due to Him for His
guidance and bounty.
Every believer who keeps a jealous watch over his nation would certainly give
serious consideration to the phenomenon of voluntary work nowadays. This
phenomenon has gained international prominence, notably in non-Muslim countries,
with such a degree of accuracy, perfection, devotion and one-man spirit. In the
meantime, a Muslim observer cannot but pause and reflect on the status of voluntary
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work in the West and what it has achieved compared with its counterpart in Muslim
countries where the conceptualization of the term (voluntary work) is still vague and
backward.
It is quite regrettable that a number of samples of voluntary work in Muslim
communities are presented in the form of obligatory labor, or unavoidable duty
without any prior psychological, religious, or social initiation in order to understand
and appreciate this noble work.
Undoubtedly, school and university students will not be able to appreciate the
meaning of voluntary work when they are, for instance, thrown into a valley, a
neighborhood, or a street and are told to clean it, presumably as voluntary work, but
as a duty, because it is an order from school, university, institute or the like without
first relating to them the premises of such noble undertaking, in order to enhance its
value, and clear any favor-related blemishes against every achieved work that
members of the community have been used throughout their lives.
This contradicts voluntary work from the very outset, for the latter requires a
supreme ability to give without reminding (anybody) of a favor, or expecting anything
in return. Indeed, the essence of voluntary work is love, sympathy, and benevolence
which is indifferent to the nature of response, but cares for satisfying one's conscience
and making sure it is free of neglect and betrayal of society.
The volunteer’s comfort and happiness lie in effecting a smile on a poor
person's face, or hearing the murmurs of a supplication (to Allah to bless him) by a
grieved anguished person.
It is impossible for us to imagine love without giving, or giving without love.
In addition, voluntary work will not be perfect and successful without prior planning
and organization, and without being aware of the motives, skills, personal credentials,
and principles that introduce and define voluntary work, its nobility, and effect on the
society that is made up of you and me, my relatives and yours, and my neighbors and
yours.
A successful, generous, and righteous society is one that does not wait for
anybody to say to it: give me, for its hands rush to take action (by giving) before its
ears can hear, and its actions speak louder than its words.
How much we are all in dire need for all kinds of voluntary work at this time,
which is infested with wars, calamities, and gloomy events whose fire reached
brothers of ours in religion. Their houses' ceilings are leaking, their walls seeping, and
can hardly protect them against cold or wetness. They are in Syria, Burma, and other
Muslim countries. This situation requires hard work, and activation of voluntary
service in all its aspects, the most vital of which is money.
So fear Allah! Fear Allah! And act to help our brothers, and the people of our
faith; let us roll up our sleeves of hard work, of giving, and of sacrifice; blessings do
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not last, and there is a tomorrow for today, death after life, and accountability after
death: And know that your possessions and your children are but a
trial and that surely with Allâh is a mighty reward. [Al-Anfal: 28]
This is said, send (O you Muslims) ‒may Allah have mercy on you‒ your
Salat (Graces, Honours and Mercy) upon Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (), the best of
Allah’s creatures, the most honest human being, and the sole possessor of the blessed
basin and the only interceder in the Hereafter. For Allah ordered you ‒O believers‒
after beginning by Himself and then His angels, who are praising His sanctity, saying:
O you who believe! Send your Salât[1] on (ask Allâh to bless) him
(Muhammad صلى لله عليه وسلم ), and (you should) greet (salute) him
with the Islâmic way of greeting(salutation i.e. As-Salâmu
‘Alaikum.[Al Ahzab: 56]. The Prophet () said: "He who offers me a Salat, Allah
will offer him ten such Salats as a reward".
O Allah! Send Your Salat (Graces, Honours and Mercy), Peace and Blessing
upon Your Servant and Messenger, Muhammad! O Allah! Be pleased with his four
Caliphs, Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman and Ali, all of his Companions, on the tabin and
those who righteously followed them till the Day of Judgment. O Allah! Be also
pleased with us all, along with them, by Your Pardon and Generosity, O You, the
Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate!
O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and
Muslims! O Allah! Grant glory to Islam and Muslims! And fail polytheism and
polytheists (who associate partners with You)! O Allah! Grant glory to Your religion,
Your Book and the Sunnah of Your Prophet, and Your believing servants!
O Allah! Guide us along with those You have guided, pardon us along with
those You have pardoned, be an ally to us along with those You are an ally to, and
bless for us that which You have bestowed, protect us from the evil You have
decreed, for verily You decree and none can decree over You!
O Allah! Grant our selves piety, and purify them, You are the best Who
Purifies them, You are their Guardian and Master!
O Allah! Relieve the distressed among Muslims, alleviate their anguish, pay
off the debts of those indebted, and cure our patients and theirs, with Your Mercy, O
You, Most Merciful!
O Allah! Grant us safety in our homelands, and set right our Imams and
Guardians. O Allah! Make our leadership from among those who fear You, guard
taqwa and seek Your satisfaction, O Lord of the Worlds!
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O Allah! Guide our leader to say and do whatever You love and please, O
You, the Living, the Everlasting! O Allah! Set right his retinue, O You, the Lord of
Majesty and Honour!
O Allah! Make better the conditions of Muslims everywhere, O Allah! Make
better the conditions of Muslims everywhere, O Allah! Make better the conditions of
Muslims everywhere, O Allah! Be on the side of our brothers who are oppressed and
defenseless in their religion, wherever they may be! O Allah! Be with them, not
against them; O Allah! Grant them victory over Your enemies and theirs! O Allah!
Grant them victory in Syria and Burma, O You! The Lord of Majesty and Honour!
O Allah! Make their enemies the lowest and turn their affairs into scourge and
disaster! O Allah! Speed up their (the Muslims) victory and relief, O You, the Lord of
Majesty and Honour! The Lord of the Worlds!
O Allah, the Revealer of The Book (The Holy Qur'an), the Runner of the
clouds, and the Defeater of the Confederates2 defeat their enemy sooner, not later, O
You, the Lord of Majesty and Honour, the Living One, the Eternal Guardian!
O Lord! You are Allah, and there is no deity worthy of worship but You! You
are the Self-sufficient while we (humans) are destitute! Do send down rain on us and
save us from despair! O Allah! Send down rain on us and save us from despair! O
Allah! Send down rain on us and save us from despair! We implore You not to make
our sins stand in the way between us and Your grace, O You, the Lord of Majesty and
Honour!
… Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the
Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the
Fire! [Al-Baqarah: 201]
Glorified be our Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! You are free from what
they wrongly attribute unto You! May peace be upon all the Messengers! And the last
of our supplications is “praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!”
2 These are disbelievers of Quraish and the Jews residing at Madinah and some other Arab tribes who
rallied into a confederation and invaded the Muslims of Madinah but were defeated.
