Helping fellow humans has always been a core tenet of Islam. It doesn’t differentiate between the rich and the poor, the black and the white, or Asians and Caucasians; if a single person comes to you asking for something that you can afford to proffer easily, it’s an obligation on you to forget about the concrete or abstract inhibitions and stand up to what’s expected of you: to assist and forget. That’s the beauty of Islam.
Beyond providing assistance to those in need, the essence of Islam is to avoid harboring any ulterior motives, as this can taint the act of giving itself. Why is it so? This is due to the sacred nature of the connection between God and the individual. Lucifer refused to bow before Adam, and he was disgraced. The issue here was not in the flat-out act of refusal, but the underlying abstract qualities that embed it: pride, jealousy, and the ensuing deep, dark urges to launch a disobeying offensive against the psyche of humans.
A tiny feeling at work in the background can result in its transition from mere abstraction to something concrete. Giving with a pure heart (expecting nothing in return or causing no trouble to the seeker) is thus the best definition of charity, as far as Islam is concerned.
Nevertheless, if we switch our focus from this definition to what has been prevailing here in Kashmir for the last seventy years, the picture is bleak. It’s not promising. And it’s definitely disappointing. In Kashmir, the destitute outnumber the affluent. There are scores of people who live from hand to mouth: some homeless living on rent, some with no sufficient income-generating establishment and others reeling under tragedies that have washed away all their wealth.
When it comes to falling prey to life-threatening diseases, costing lacs of rupees and tons of mental and emotional energy, Kashmir has maintained the equilibrium with the other states. The number of people who have been in the throes of different carcinomas can be gauged from the fact that in the last seven years, 50000 cases have been reported here. With limitations both on the medical science, the crushing load the hospitals face, and governmental free-medicinal provisions, another issue that has been plaguing the local populace here is the need for money to tackle the money-demanding facet of the diseases.
Even though we have Bait-ul-Maal mechanisms established here helping people out of afflictions, it’s distressing to see social media ridden with the scores of patients literally kneeling down asking people for help. Decades have elapsed, and I wonder why we have failed to reform our charity organizations so that people in trouble wouldn’t have to reveal all their ins and outs before public speculation.
Shift focus. Isn’t it worrying that the act of giving is displayed on social media, along with the destitute (though with a mask on)? Isn’t it a private matter between the almighty and the giver? Can’t we just mention that we have helped so-and-so number of people (with a bit of stats and verifiable claims), instead of bringing the tormented to the front? It could have been the best way of inspiring others to come forward and help people.
We need scholars well-versed in the philosophy of Islam, ones who take in every dimension, understand the status quo, and come up with the best of the solutions to the most puzzling questions. Scholars that don’t exhaust their energy on as trivial issues as keeping the lower part of the cloth either up or below the ankle, but those that discuss figures (Muslim or non-Muslim) that have genuinely assisted people.
So far, we have been successful interpreting Quanic tenets to the masses, and it’s something appreciable. Yet, we lack basic understanding of the current affairs surrounding us and troubles that our masses face (both induced by time and situations and then aggravated by the inaction or partial action of us) and have at best no way forward in our minds, even as collective as we have been trying to become at times, like at the Hamaam of the mosques in winters.
This rot we have to get rid of!
We need to shed anything that has inhibited us from understanding ISSUES. And when it comes to the poor among us, our determination and persistency to pay heed to it become non-negotiable. For that to come true, we need leaders. And for the leaders to come, we need to read (both from books and each facet of our community).
Author is an entrepreneur and a social activist.