“Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur’an as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong…” The Glorious Holy Qur’an, Sura Al-Baqarah:185
This week, I want to briefly touch on a concept I call “Service to the Believer.”
You don’t get more points for traveling overseas to feed the homeless, while you neglect to feed the children and dependents in your own house, especially if you’re looking to prop up an image to an external audience.
In fact, there is a sequence to charity. It begins at home. From an organizational perspective, the same is true for an organization’s members, constituents, or congregation. Organizational leaders should be paying more attention to the elderly, disabled, and needy families, and even routine hospitality and services for everyone than to external missionary or dawah programs.
Why? Because it you do not have internal community service programs that are sincerely established to make a welcoming, comfortable and attentive environment, then you dawah programs are false advertisement. The Prophet (prayers & peace be upon him) attended to the material and spiritual needs of his people. When he first began his mission, he invited friends and family to dinner first, then he introduced them to the powerful Message of his Prophethood, the Qur’an.
We too have to be more like the Prophet (s) in our organizational focus on the Believer. We have to ask, “Are we providing service to the believer?” I’m not just talking about Jumuah Service, I’m talking about:
1.Visits to the elderly in their homes.
2. Gifts to students for graduation and continuing education.
3. New born acknowledgments and gifts.
4. Anniversary gifts.
5. Free refreshments for Jumuah.
6. Free seminars with snacks.
7. Take a senior out programs.
8. Family fruit baskets.
And this list could go on and on. Be creative in finding new ways to serve the believers in your organization. And if you’re wondering about the revenue for funding a Service to the Believers agenda, pull it from expensive radio broadcasts or other externally focused activities that often cannot be measured in terms of their impact. Dawah is important, but not more important than caring for those who have already responded to the call.
Ramadan is the perfect time to practice charity…why not begin at home and share first with those who have the greatest rights. I wish you a Blessed Ramadan, Enlightened Night of Power, and Joyous Eid Celebration.
Left open for further thought and research…Peace until next time.
Sincerely & respectfully,
