Do we cross the Shariah limits while engaging in social services?

By: Sr. Uzma Azmi

We know that whenever there is an attack anywhere, Islam is instantly defamed and Muslims are criminalized. The word 'terrorism' is exclusively applied to us to gain political mileage and spread Islamophobia. But when Muslims are noticed for their good deeds, then Islam is never given credit. No one praises the person as a good Muslim but the very identity is quickly detached. And the whole narrative changes that 'humanity is above religion'.

Today, we have seen the other communities abandoning the dead bodies of their relatives either out of fear of Covid or to avoid the expenses of the costly funeral ceremony or both. Many Muslims stepped forward to help the non-Muslims in this matter, as a responsible citizen, having concern for the situation, hence carrying out this humanitarian gesture.

But the question is, are these services to humanity in line with the teachings of Islam?

Sadly, the Muslims are going overboard as they're engaging in funeral ceremony, which includes the puja with rituals and cremation. Ask them why do they have to do the puja? As if without doing puja their service to humanity would fall short. Are the Muslim volunteers trying to set standards of humanity on their own terms? Are they trying to negate Islam's excellent guidelines on humanity services? In this way, are they not portraying Islam as a cruel, an insensitive and an intolerant religion, indirectly which is stopping them from their services to humanity? These rituals and cremation are not allowed in Islam in any manner. Any act which makes you dilute your creed, would definitely be forbidden in Islam.

There is no khayr (good) in any act which makes you water down Islamic values. On the contrary, their 'humanitarian' gesture is not earning them any rewards but punishment in the akhirah. This ought to be known by the followers of that religion. And hence this 'humanitarian' gesture is not commendable.

Unfortunately, many a times, our community disowns Islam when they try to help the non-Muslims. Their inferiority complex forces them to detach their Muslim identity in order to be in good books of the non-Muslim community. The concept of ‘al wala wal bara’ is also thrown out instantly.

What should be the primary purpose of any Muslim for his good deeds?

Simple. To please Allah. It is purely for His sake that we engage in social services, hence all our good deeds must be in alignment with Islam, focusing on the hereafter to get rewarded there In Sha Allah. Our loyalty and allegiance is to Allah and His messenger ﷺ.

So, to all my dear Muslim brothers and sisters,

Whenever you are helping someone, please make sure that you not only begin with Allah's name but you also mention Allah as boldly and as clearly as possible, this doesn't mean shouting, obviously. Take it as an opportunity to introduce Allah to them, Ar Rahman, Ar Raheem, The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful; who has put compassion in your heart to carry out the noble deeds.

Let not anyone be deceived that you are helping because you believe that humanity is above religion, but instead you make sure to say that humanity is lost without the guidance of Islam, you make sure to give credit to Islam for every good act of yours and tell them that it is the love for Allah, the fear of accountability to Allah which motivates you to do good, and tell them that Islam is the base where the pillars of humanity stand or else the pillars would crumble very soon.

And also make sure to mention that it is almost next to impossible for an oppressed community, facing gross injustice, repeated humiliation, continuous hatred and torture, to help those full of bigotry against them. Do not forget to mention that it is neither the fear of the majority nor the internalized guilt behind humanitarian gestures, but the pleasure of Allah alone.

Now there's a way to say things, the way to do things. Being aggressive in asserting something doesn't work always.

We can nicely convey the message that yes, it is a tough time and the loss is irreplaceable, but that in no way would make us do something which Allah has prohibited. We need to learn some basics in the art of communication, if not master them. Make a solid good eye contact, keeping the situation in mind, be soft in your tone but clear in your words, some amount of superiority in your body language but humble in gesture with smiles and pats on the shoulder for example; and be wise to grab the opportunity of doing dawah. Whether the community is involved in supplying oxygen cylinders, remember that oxygen is needed not just for the body but for the soul as well or when dealing with non-Muslims in their loss of relatives, or for any other noble deeds, dawah is the priority.

And yes, one can always offer them Talbeena, a food which our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended in times of sadness for soothing hearts. Grab your moment of doing dawah.

And lastly, a message as clear as possible must be conveyed to the non-Muslim community that a Muslim when enters the room of friendship with any non-Muslim, he will not leave Islam behind the doors. They will have to accept us with our Islam in entirety, come what may.

اللهم ارنا الحق حقاً وارزقنا اتباعه وارنا الباطل باطلا وارزقنا اجتنابه

Allahumma arinal haqqa haqqaw warzuqnat tiba’ah, wa arinal batila batilaw warzuqnaj tinabah

O Allah! show us the truth as true, and inspire us to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood, and inspire us to abstain from it. Aameen.