TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP



​Qur'an on Social Matters

  • "Your wealth and your children are but a temptation.  God's reward is great.  Therefore fear God with all your hearts, and be attentive, obedient and charitable."
  • "Those that preserve themselves from their own greed will surely prosper."
  • "If the debtor be in straits, grant him a delay until he can discharge his debt; but if you waive the sum as alms it will be better for you, if you but knew it."
  • "Show kindness to parents and kindred, to orphans and to the helpless, to near and distant neighbors, to those that keep company with you, to the traveller in need....The righteous...give sustenance to the poor man, the orphan, and the captive saying: 'We feed you for God's sake only; we seek of you neither recompensation nor thanks."
  • "Your Lord has enjoined you...to show kindness to your parents.  If either or both of them attain old age in your dwelling, show them no sign of impatience, nor rebuke them, but speak to them kind words.  Treat them with humility and tenderness and say:  'Lord, be merciful to them.  They nursed me when I was an infant."

Islam

Hadith on Kindness

  • "No one is a true believer unless he desireth for his brother that which he desireth for himself."
  • "Do you love your Creator?  Love your fellow-beings first."
  • "Kindness is a mark of faith; and whoever hath not kindness hath not faith."
  • "All God's creatures are His family; and he is the most beloved of God who doeth most good to God's creatures."
  • "What actions are most excellent?  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.”
  • "Feed the hungry and visit the sick, and feed the captive, if he be unjustly confined.  Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslin."
  • "That person is not a perfect Muslim who eateth his fill, and leaveth his neighbors hungry."
  • "Verily to honor an old person is showing respect to God."
  • "Follow up an evil deed by a good one will wipe [the former] out, and behave good-naturedly to people.""The most excellent Jihad is that for the conquest of Self."​

Islam is a monotheistic world religion that originated in Arabia.  It represents the whole of life to followers, known as Muslims. It does not compartmentalize religious and non-religious aspects of society.  Islam encourages Muslims to create a just and equitable society.  

Muslims accept the Torah (Moses), the Psalms (David), and the Gospel (Jesus) but believe other writings included in the Jewish and Christian Bibles have been altered over time. Only the Qur'an (i.e., Koran) revealed to Prophet Muhammad by an angelic agent of God is infallible.  The Qur'an is a collection of 114 sutras/revelations Muhammad received over a 23 year period while living in Mecca and Medina.  The Hadiths, the other major source of inspiration, describes sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad and serve as guides for daily life.​


Five Pillars of Faith:

  • Recitation of the shahadah, a creed which serves as a reminder to reject false gods, accept Allah as sole creator of everything, and acknowledge Muhammad as the last messenger of Allah
  • Daily prayer (salah) is prescribed in terms of when, what, and how to pray
  • Almsgiving (zakat) is expected.  Annually those able to do so are expected to give a portion (2.5%) of one's holdings to those in need
  • Fasting (sawm) during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset requires self discipline, glorifies God, shows appreciation for His goodness which they can see everywhere around them, and reminds them of the needy.
  • Pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca and the Kaaba is a way to heighten commitment to God and the community.

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