Investing Our Time in Charity
When most people hear the word "charity," they think of a financial transaction involving monetary donations to individuals or organizations. However, charity is simply "the voluntary giving of help," and many of us forget that often the best way we can give help is by donating our time to others through volunteer work.
The Prophet (SAW) said, "There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time to do good."
~ [Al-Bukhari (Volume 8/Book76/Hadith Number 421)]
Our beloved Prophet (SAW) instructed us to use our time wisely and do good with our time on this earth. We should all try to assess our time usage and our unique skillsets to find ways we can help our local community and non-profits. Volunteering allows us to become more active in our communities and create a positive example for our children and families.
Personally, I fell in love with and understood how powerful volunteer work was through my father. He worked with organizations such as ICNA to create information packets for new Muslims, volunteered at Islamic conventions and programs, participated in Dawah booths, and even "adopted" a revert to Islam who continues to be a big part of our life 20 years later. He made it a point to either take us along to join him or explain how important his volunteer efforts were. To this day, all five of his children continue to strive to give their time to charitable organizations.
"Time is like capital in the hands of an investor, which he invests for the purpose of profit. The greater the amount being invested, the greater the returns. So, whoever takes advantage of doing good deeds in his life has achieved success. While whoever wastes his investment will not see any profit but incur great loss."
~Sharaf Al-Din Al-Tibi [D 743H] SHarh Al-Tibi ‘Ala Mishkat Al-Masabih
Our time is a precious asset which the Quran and Sunnah constantly remind us not to waste. We must try to use our time for good and help those in need. Organizations such as Gain Peace, which work to spread Islam through Da'wah and assist new Muslims, are in critical need of volunteers to help continue their essential programs. Let's all make an effort to see what we can do to help our local community and the non-profits working hard to make a difference in people's lives through education, outreach, and engagement.
Below are some opportunities to volunteer with Gain Peace. Although there are skill sets mentioned, remember that interest in the project is all you need to get started. The passion for getting involved in a project will help you take the time to learn the skills required to become a proficient and capable volunteer.
Written by Sister Amenazeb Khan