Compassion - a missing legacy of our Prophet (PBUH) - Part 2
06:52PM Wed 20 Jul, 2016
Small steps can make a lasting difference
By Shafaat Shahbandari
Bhatkallys.com
"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth" - Mohammed Ali
A social worker recently argued with me that Muslims are the world's biggest donors.
Interestingly, this is a common assumption among most Muslims.
Though, there is no certain way of proving or disproving this assumption, religiously speaking Muslims ought to be at the forefront of giving.
But, whether they are is a matter of debate.
There are some statistics that give us an idea of the spending patterns of different communities globally.
Though, the statistics don't reflect the complete picture, we get an indication that the reality is quite contrary to the above assumptions among Muslims.
According to the Global Giving Index 2015, Malaysia is the only Muslim country that features among the top 10 donors in the world, while only four of more than 60 Muslim countries are among the top 20 donors.
Before someone jumps to point out that these figures reflect national spending, let me clarify that the results of the survey are based only on individual donations in each of the surveyed countries.
Some might also argue that many Muslims do charity discreetly as enjoined by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Could be true.
Even if we agree to this and assume that Muslims are the most generous people on earth and are the biggest givers, the question is, where does the money go? Where is the impact? Why doesn't it reflect in the society?
The tragedy is that we don't give our charity as it is meant to be given.
In numbers
Let me put it in simple terms.
There are more or less, around 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Assume that at least 25 per cent of these Muslims pay their zakat honestly.
If each of these households have annual savings of, say, $10,000, it would mean 400 million people are giving away $250 each, which is equal to $100 billion of collection annually. This is a just a conservative estimate and the actual figure could be several times higher.
Imagine, what could be done, if this much money is spent with an aim to make a difference in the society and not treated as a burden to be done away with!
Today, Muslims make up a quarter of the world’s population and have their presence in every corner of the world. There are hundreds of millionaires among Muslims and there are dozens of super rich governments, who apparently do a lot of charity. Or do they?
Personal touch
There is no lack of resources and neither there is any dearth in giving among Muslims.
What we actually lack in is the genuine feelings of concern and care for the poor!
What we have dearth in is the personal touch! What we don’t have in enough quantity is the empathy for those who are around us, whom we pass by daily just as we pass by a barrier on the side of the road!
How often do we put an arm around the janitor who comes to clean our toilets or the one who keeps our mosques and offices clean?
Do we ever deem necessary to know about the family of that watchman, who is guarding our buildings or neighbourhood?
Ever wondered how the municipality’s street sweeper makes his end meet? We see him every day on the street, cleaning our dirt, but we don’t deem fit to make any conversation.
Ever wondered how a few pleasing words might boost his morale and make him believe in humanity again?
Why don't we realise that these humble souls also have a heart that beats, they also have the sentiments and dreams. They would also want to give their children the best of both worlds.
Wouldn't it be fulfilling to help them realise their dreams?
We hardly have time for our families, forget about any courtesy for these invisible souls, who we depend on so much.
Some of us do step out of the threshold to hand a few notes here and there, but does care and compassion end at giving a few dirhams or rupees?
Think about it!
We all love our families, so we take care of them in every possible way. We would go to any length to protect and nurture them.
Or are we just content in having them fed and clothed?
We have to admit that money alone won’t solve problems, it is just a tool that will facilitate change?
And, who will facilitate this change? Is it only the job of NGOs and charities?
Charities and NGOs are mushrooming overnight everywhere and seem to be working overtime. But, do we have the desired results?
There won’t be any desired result. There won’t be any meaningful development in the lives of millions of deprived souls, unless there is a personal touch.
Unless each one of us doesn’t take any responsibility, however small it might be, things won’t change – be it socially, economically or educationally.
I won’t expect any of us go to the same length for the social causes, as we do for our families.
But, once in a while putting an arm around the janitor, won’t do any harm to our egos. Dedicating a day from our trips home to visit that domestic servant, who has been serving our households for decades, and bringing a small change in her household, won’t hurt our pride.
Or we can even go and check on the state of that old milkman who is now too frail to bring milk to our doorsteps. Won’t the smile on his face bring tranquility to our hearts?
Results
There is no point waiting for a revolution. It is not going to happen. And how many past revolutions have helped the poor’s cause?
It is often the small steps that make a lasting difference, just like the step taken the boy from West Bengal, Babar Ali, who started teaching his younger sister as a nine year old, and now provides education to whole of his village, on the sidelines of pursuing his own masters.
http://bringinghumanityback.com/this-young-boy-started-a-school-for-less-privileged-when-he-was-9-yrs-old/
Let's try taking small but bold steps in our individual capacity or in small groups within our circles or by joining any group that is working for a good cause, and see if things don't change.
There are a million ways we can choose to make our society better and gain rewards here and the hereafter. The only basic requirement is willingness from our part.
Compassion was the nature of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and his heart pained for the deprived and oppressed. It’s about time we bring back compassion and feel the same pain. And, more importantly, act on alleviating it.
(Shafaat Shahbandari is a Dubai based journalist)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. Bhatkallys.com is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Bhatkallys.com and Bhatkallys.com does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Though, there is no certain way of proving or disproving this assumption, religiously speaking Muslims ought to be at the forefront of giving.
But, whether they are is a matter of debate.
There are some statistics that give us an idea of the spending patterns of different communities globally.
Though, the statistics don't reflect the complete picture, we get an indication that the reality is quite contrary to the above assumptions among Muslims.
According to the Global Giving Index 2015, Malaysia is the only Muslim country that features among the top 10 donors in the world, while only four of more than 60 Muslim countries are among the top 20 donors.
Before someone jumps to point out that these figures reflect national spending, let me clarify that the results of the survey are based only on individual donations in each of the surveyed countries.
Some might also argue that many Muslims do charity discreetly as enjoined by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Could be true.
Even if we agree to this and assume that Muslims are the most generous people on earth and are the biggest givers, the question is, where does the money go? Where is the impact? Why doesn't it reflect in the society?
The tragedy is that we don't give our charity as it is meant to be given.
In numbers
Let me put it in simple terms.
There are more or less, around 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Assume that at least 25 per cent of these Muslims pay their zakat honestly.
If each of these households have annual savings of, say, $10,000, it would mean 400 million people are giving away $250 each, which is equal to $100 billion of collection annually. This is a just a conservative estimate and the actual figure could be several times higher.
Imagine, what could be done, if this much money is spent with an aim to make a difference in the society and not treated as a burden to be done away with!
Today, Muslims make up a quarter of the world’s population and have their presence in every corner of the world. There are hundreds of millionaires among Muslims and there are dozens of super rich governments, who apparently do a lot of charity. Or do they?
Personal touch
There is no lack of resources and neither there is any dearth in giving among Muslims.
What we actually lack in is the genuine feelings of concern and care for the poor!
What we have dearth in is the personal touch! What we don’t have in enough quantity is the empathy for those who are around us, whom we pass by daily just as we pass by a barrier on the side of the road!
How often do we put an arm around the janitor who comes to clean our toilets or the one who keeps our mosques and offices clean?
Do we ever deem necessary to know about the family of that watchman, who is guarding our buildings or neighbourhood?
Ever wondered how the municipality’s street sweeper makes his end meet? We see him every day on the street, cleaning our dirt, but we don’t deem fit to make any conversation.
Ever wondered how a few pleasing words might boost his morale and make him believe in humanity again?
Why don't we realise that these humble souls also have a heart that beats, they also have the sentiments and dreams. They would also want to give their children the best of both worlds.
Wouldn't it be fulfilling to help them realise their dreams?
We hardly have time for our families, forget about any courtesy for these invisible souls, who we depend on so much.
Some of us do step out of the threshold to hand a few notes here and there, but does care and compassion end at giving a few dirhams or rupees?
Think about it!
We all love our families, so we take care of them in every possible way. We would go to any length to protect and nurture them.
Or are we just content in having them fed and clothed?
We have to admit that money alone won’t solve problems, it is just a tool that will facilitate change?
And, who will facilitate this change? Is it only the job of NGOs and charities?
Charities and NGOs are mushrooming overnight everywhere and seem to be working overtime. But, do we have the desired results?
There won’t be any desired result. There won’t be any meaningful development in the lives of millions of deprived souls, unless there is a personal touch.
Unless each one of us doesn’t take any responsibility, however small it might be, things won’t change – be it socially, economically or educationally.
I won’t expect any of us go to the same length for the social causes, as we do for our families.
But, once in a while putting an arm around the janitor, won’t do any harm to our egos. Dedicating a day from our trips home to visit that domestic servant, who has been serving our households for decades, and bringing a small change in her household, won’t hurt our pride.
Or we can even go and check on the state of that old milkman who is now too frail to bring milk to our doorsteps. Won’t the smile on his face bring tranquility to our hearts?
Results
There is no point waiting for a revolution. It is not going to happen. And how many past revolutions have helped the poor’s cause?
It is often the small steps that make a lasting difference, just like the step taken the boy from West Bengal, Babar Ali, who started teaching his younger sister as a nine year old, and now provides education to whole of his village, on the sidelines of pursuing his own masters.
http://bringinghumanityback.com/this-young-boy-started-a-school-for-less-privileged-when-he-was-9-yrs-old/
Let's try taking small but bold steps in our individual capacity or in small groups within our circles or by joining any group that is working for a good cause, and see if things don't change.
There are a million ways we can choose to make our society better and gain rewards here and the hereafter. The only basic requirement is willingness from our part.
Compassion was the nature of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and his heart pained for the deprived and oppressed. It’s about time we bring back compassion and feel the same pain. And, more importantly, act on alleviating it.
(Shafaat Shahbandari is a Dubai based journalist)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. Bhatkallys.com is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Bhatkallys.com and Bhatkallys.com does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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