Importance of Voluntary Service Kamaluddin Ali Muhammad Aga Khan University

Acknowledgment I sincerely thank Mr. Imtiaz R. Umatiya for his help in preparing this presentation

Unity and diversity of human race “O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from the twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women.” (4:1)

“O mankind! Lo we have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.” (49:13) Unity and diversity of human race

Human brotherhood

Some Inspiring Messages When you shift from a compulsion to survive toward a commitment to serve others, your life cannot help but explode into success. (Anonymous) Happiness comes from devoting your life to helping others…the hand that gives is the hand that gathers, and giving begins the receiving process. (Anonymous)

Finding of a Study One study shows that “people who were in better physical and mental health were more likely to volunteer, and conversely that volunteer work was good for both mental and physical health. People of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression” (Volunteer Vacations by Patricia Griffin Kellicker.)

Helping Allah The concept of helping Allah “O ye who believe! If ye help Allah, He will help you and will make your foothold firm.” (47:07) “O ye who believe! Be Allah’s helpers, even as Jesus son of Mary said unto the disciples: Who are my helpers for Allah? They said: we are Allah’s helpers.” (61:14)

Law of giving and receiving God is Good and source of all goodness T ukhalliqū bi akhlāqillāh “embellish yourselves with the attributes of Allah” God is the Giver He encourages giving and sharing Giving or sharing brings humankind in harmony with nature and God What you give will be returned manifold. Give what you wish to receive

Service in the ethics of Islam Believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers. (Quran, 49:10) A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim (Hadith)

Some fundamental Islamic ethics Human brotherhood Generosity Kindness Forgiveness Sharing Care for the needy, poor, sick, aged, weak.

Service is a blessing

How to Encourage & Sustain Volunteers Practice Meritocracy Encouragement; be kind to the juniors Be generous in appreciation and recognition Praise in public, discipline in private Delegate authority Transparency

Consultation, no power stronger than consultation Input of knowledge for growth Do not suppress or hide credits of others Avoid personal preferences and biases Solve issues through ethics rather than through power and authority Encourage & Sustain Volunteers cont…

Creativity Welcome ideas Encourage ideas Listen to ideas No blinkers

Family Life Not to Suffer Family life should not suffer for the sake of service Sacrifice with understanding and consent.

Accountability Accountability is a must No responsibility without answerability Judicious use of resources

Service with a smile To the people be humble, polite, courteous, smiling "If you meet a person without a smile, give him one of yours.” (Anonymous) Service with humility Enjoy the happiness of serving No craving for recognition, let recognition follow you.

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