Chapter 1 – The Da’iyah, the Environment, and the Population
I) AIMS AND MEANS
A Muslim is not one who fights Satan with his sword and gets catapulted into jannah, but rather one who interacts actively with his environment in order to make a difference:
“That man can have nothing but what he strives for; that (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight; then will he be rewarded with a complete.” (Quran 53: 39-41)
Our actions are witnessed not only by ALLAH and His messenger but by others as well. Hence, the Muslim is not living a vacuum; he is continuously acting and interacting with his surroundings. What makes him or her a better Muslim? According to the following hadith:
“People are dependent of ALLAH; the closest to Him are the most useful to His dependents.” (Sahih Muslim)
Thus, the criterion for being a better Muslim is not simply salaah (prayer), fasting, dhikr, and tasbih; it’s one’s utility to others! In this context, the following principle should alarm us: “He who does not concern himself with the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.”
The task of a jama’ah (group) of Muslims is not to serve itself; it is to serve others! The group is not the objective, for in reality it is only an organizational means to accomplish the objective. The interest of such an organization must be subservient to the interest of the ummah and of the outside world.
The Messenger of ALLAH directs us:
“ Have mercy on those in the land, so that the One in Heaven will have mercy on you.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Muslim groups which confine themselves to their membership are losing sight of their objectives and becoming self-serving. In fact, all the preparation and training of the organization’s members should be directed towards serving their nation. To establish an organization for the sake of the organization is like building a house for the sake of the house.
The environment and the population of which the da’iyah is a part are the only mediums through which he can perform. They are the only fields of operation in which ALLAH is testing him during his life.
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source: Training Guide for Islamic Workers
I) AIMS AND MEANS
A Muslim is not one who fights Satan with his sword and gets catapulted into jannah, but rather one who interacts actively with his environment in order to make a difference:
“That man can have nothing but what he strives for; that (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight; then will he be rewarded with a complete.” (Quran 53: 39-41)
Our actions are witnessed not only by ALLAH and His messenger but by others as well. Hence, the Muslim is not living a vacuum; he is continuously acting and interacting with his surroundings. What makes him or her a better Muslim? According to the following hadith:
“People are dependent of ALLAH; the closest to Him are the most useful to His dependents.” (Sahih Muslim)
Thus, the criterion for being a better Muslim is not simply salaah (prayer), fasting, dhikr, and tasbih; it’s one’s utility to others! In this context, the following principle should alarm us: “He who does not concern himself with the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.”
The task of a jama’ah (group) of Muslims is not to serve itself; it is to serve others! The group is not the objective, for in reality it is only an organizational means to accomplish the objective. The interest of such an organization must be subservient to the interest of the ummah and of the outside world.
The Messenger of ALLAH directs us:
“ Have mercy on those in the land, so that the One in Heaven will have mercy on you.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
Muslim groups which confine themselves to their membership are losing sight of their objectives and becoming self-serving. In fact, all the preparation and training of the organization’s members should be directed towards serving their nation. To establish an organization for the sake of the organization is like building a house for the sake of the house.
The environment and the population of which the da’iyah is a part are the only mediums through which he can perform. They are the only fields of operation in which ALLAH is testing him during his life.
____________________________________
source: Training Guide for Islamic Workers
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