Volunteerism has been described as a fundamental pillar in building cohesive and progressive societies, and in Islam, as a profound act of worship.
This was the central message during today's MUMSA Daawa Show on Salam TV, which aired at 10am, hosted by Mulyati Abdullatif and Mayanja Araphat. The show focused on the importance of volunteer services among people.
The presenters emphasized that in Islam, volunteering is not viewed as a marginal activity, but rather as an act of Ibadah through which Muslims draw closer to Allah while benefiting others.
The show highlighted four key benefits of volunteerism:
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- Strengthening Social Solidarity: Volunteering helps bridge the gaps between social classes, as the wealthy become more aware of the needs of the poor, and the strong of the weakness of the vulnerable.
- Spreading Love and Affection: Working without financial compensation breaks down psychological barriers between people and promotes a culture of giving instead of selfishness.
- Developing Youth Skills: Volunteering provides individuals with opportunities to learn new skills such as leadership, organization, and problem-solving, which positively impacts overall productivity.
- Reducing the Burden on the State: Volunteer initiatives contribute to improving public facilities, protecting the environment, and providing supplementary health and educational services.
The hosts cited several verses from the Holy Quran that urge good deeds and cooperation in righteousness:
- The call to cooperation: Allah says, "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression" [Al-Ma'idah: 2]. This verse was described as the fundamental basis for the legitimacy of volunteer work.
- Hastening to do good deeds: "So race to do good deeds" [Al-Baqarah: 148].
- The great reward for those who do good: "And whatever good you do, Allah is All-Knowing of it" [Al-Baqarah: 215].
- Volunteering is better: "And whoever volunteers good - it is better for him" [Al-Baqarah: 184].
The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was also highlighted:
- The Best of People: The Prophet (PBUH) said: "The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people, and the most beloved of deeds to Allah is bringing joy to a Muslim, relieving him of distress, paying off his debt, or feeding him when he is hungry." (Narrated by At-Tabarani and authenticated by Al-Albani).
- Allah's Help for the Volunteer: "Allah is ever helping His servant as long as the servant is helping his brother." (Narrated by Muslim).
- Diversity of volunteering: "Your smile to your brother is charity, your enjoining good and forbidding evil is charity, your guiding a man in a land of misguidance is charity, your helping a man with poor eyesight is charity, and your removing a stone, a thorn, or a bone from the road is charity." (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi).
- Ongoing Charity: Voluntary work that leaves a lasting impact falls under ongoing charity (Sadaqatul Jariyah), as the Prophet (PBUH) said: "When a person dies, all their deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them."
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The show concluded that volunteering has a deep impact on the volunteer himself, including earning reward in the Hereafter, self-purification by overcoming pride through serving others, and attaining peace of mind and inner happiness by bringing joy to others.
The MUMSA Daawa Show spearheaded by the Makerere university muslim students Association continues to be a platform for Islamic education and moral reform on Salam TV, Uganda's first Islamic television channel.
