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Social Work according to the Quran
By Shahina Siddiqui
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards East or West; but it
is righteousness to believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the
Book and the Messengers; to spend of your substance out of love for Him, for
your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask; and
for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayers and practice regular
charity; to fulfill the contracts which you made; and to be firm and patient in
pain (or suffering) and adversity and throughout all periods of panic. Such are
the people of truth, the God fearing." (Quran 2: 177)
The above verse is the concept of social work in Islam. It is however more than
a philosophical concept but a practical draft that outlines the why, whom, and
who of service delivery. The following is an analysis of the Qur'anic concept of
social work:
Why the Social Work?
The question of why we should establish formal social services in our
communities is explained in this verse. Allah is advising us that our worship is
incomplete without helping deeds. So after having believed in Allah, the Angels,
the Prophets, the Books and the Last Day we must translate our Iman (faith) our
beliefs into actions of service to humankind.
In fact it is incumbent on believers to fulfill this duty of service to those
who need their help. Each and every Muslim is to contribute to the welfare of
society. Therefore by establishing social services within Muslim communities,
every Muslim can indirectly participate through financial and moral support.
When professionals administer social services with the support of the community
at large. It would help all of us to fulfill our social responsibility as
believers.
One Hadith states that Abu Hurairah related: The Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) said: "Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will
remove from him one of the grieves on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever alleviates
[the] lot of a destitute person, Allah will alleviate his lot in this world and
the next. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his
faults in this world and the next. Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as
the servant aids his brother."
Who Carries the Social Work?
The question of who is best qualified to carry out the duty of serving the
community in the area of social services, is again outlined in this verse as one
who believes in the Unity of Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, Books and
Messengers of Allah. In other words, the verse emphasizes the significance of
Iman and Mufassil as the defining characteristic of a Muslim — one who having
believed totally completely and with understanding is then compelled by his
belief to act upon them through service to humanity thus completing their faith.
It is stated in the ahadith (the sayings of the Prophet) that humility and
courtesy are acts of piety, that modesty and chastity repasts of faith, that
those who are patient in adversity and forgive wrongs are the doers of
excellence and that the best of alms is that which the right hand gives while
the left hand does not know.
For Whom Is the Social Work?
The above verse also outlines broad categories that would include those towards
whom these services should be directed. Let's briefly look at the categories. So
spend your substance for:
1. Kin: This would be anyone related either by blood or marriage. This would be
more of an individual responsibility. If however a person was unable to
adequately meet the needs of his kin he could on their behalf seek help from the
community-based social services.
2. Orphans: Technically this would apply to children whose fathers have died. In
an Islamic society the orphans then become the responsibility of the state. New
Muslims who lose their families because of conversion must also be included in
this category. Orphans could also apply to children of dysfunctional families
that are taken away be CFS. For all facts and purposes they are orphans. The
spirit of Islamic charity would therefore dictate that we provide for these
orphans by providing foster care, housing and material and spiritual needs
consistently, professionally and compassionately.
3. Needy: This is a broad term and should be interpreted to mean any need.
Therefore a family needing counseling to resolve a conflict or a couple in a
marital crisis or an abused spouse should be included in the category as well as
those who are in need of financial assistance. The situation could be of a
temporary nature or long term. The Muslim community should be equipped with
services that can address the needs of these people.
4. Wayfarer: the term usually used for a traveler or a transient, could also
apply in present day to the needy foreign students or workers who come to our
communities on a temporary basis. Islamic social services should be prepared to
serve this particular segment of our community.
5. Those who Ask: Anyone who asks for help and is a genuine case must be helped.
We should not hold it against them. Therefore a formal mechanism must be in
place in our communities where people can confidently apply for help.
6. Ransom of Slaves: Many could say that Islam eradicated slavery therefore this
is a moot point. However if we were to look around us many of our Muslim
brothers and sisters could qualify to apply for this category to be freed from
bondage and oppression and exploitation. Therefore the ransom of slaves could
apply to all these categories.
How to Achieve the Social Work?
When we are asked how are we to achieve these objectives of Islamic social
services the Qur'an once again gives us assistance by laying out the principle
on which we not only base our social services but through which we achieve our
goals. In short, these principles define a Muslim social worker and also empower
and enable them to better serve their clients. These principles are the
following:
1. Steadfast in prayer: The one best equipped to help others is one who is
steadfast in prayer. "Thee alone we worship, Thee alone we
ask for help." (1:5). In a Muslim community persons nominated for social
work must posses this fundamental trait of a Muslim. If they are to be effective
and productive it is also a reminder to those of us working in the field that we
must be steadfast in prayer.
2. Regular Charity: This of course fosters a personality that is giving and
develops a character that is empathetic to the needs of others. Communities
where members give regular charity of all kinds both compulsory and voluntary
benefit each other and feel responsible for each other.
3. Fulfill Contract: Muslims working in the field of social services must be
trustworthy, honest, and conscientious of their duty to their clients. Services
delivered cannot be haphazard or half-hearted. When we make a pledge we honor it
when we make a promise we keep it and when we set ourselves up as helpers we
fulfill that task to the best of our ability.
4. Patience in pain, suffering, adversity and panic: These are characteristics
that are essential for Muslim social workers, counselors, Imams, and leaders.
When people depend on us for support and rely on our counsel we cannot be hasty,
impatient, or panic at first sign of difficulty. The task for Muslim workers in
the area of social services is soul wrenching and requires a personality that is
blessed with Taqwa (God consciousness) and Sabr (patience). However, the levels
of Taqwa (God consciousness) may vary but it is an evolutionary process in which
one can develop the personality of a Mutaqi (one who has God consciousness).
5. Truth: Truth and honesty is the cornerstone of any public service. Lies stand
in the way of trust without which a Muslim social worker or counselor is not
viable. The social worker must be honest in his dealings with his clients and
not use any underhanded ways. Truth is also a virtue that is admired universally
and inspires respect, trust, and reliability.
6. God Fearing: One, who fears Allah and is always conscious of his duty to his
Creator, will never harm or put in harms way those who are under his care. Sense
of accountability and responsibility to Allah must be the core trait of a Muslim
community worker. This keeps in check his egos and focuses on the objective that
his service must gain the pleasure of Allah not the pleasure of making a name
for him.
when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked: "What actions are most excellent?,
he said: "To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the
afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the wrongs of
the injured." He also said: "He who tries to remove the want of his brother,
whether he be successful or not, God will forgive his sins."
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