SOCIETY, since its inception, has witnessed a never-ending tussle between the rich and the poor. It has looked upon misuse of power and suppression of the weak with an air of cynicism and helplessness.

However, amidst this resignation, some step forward to work for the economic, social and emotional wellbeing of the less privileged. Social service is a realisation that a certain situation or practice is detrimental to the interest of a particular class of people and will have serious repercussions on society as a whole; the negative impact can be avoided by acting collectively.

Social service involves not only monetary help but also the creation of opportunities for the uplift and betterment of a people, particularly the needy. It is also an effort to discourage malpractices. Social service has sound roots in Islamic injunctions

“Certainly, We created Man in the best mould. Then We [also] render him the lowest of the low, except those who believe and do good...” (95 4-6) The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said, “You shall not enter Paradise until you have faith; and you cannot attain faith until you love one another. Have compassion on those who are on earth and He in heavens will have compassion on you. God will show no compassion to one who shows no compassion towards fellow human beings.”

Monetary help is one of the most important components of social service. Philanthropy in Islam is of two kinds in the main obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory philanthropy consists of Zakat and Fitra; voluntary philanthropy includes Sadqah and Waqf; “...But righteous is he who believes...and gives of his wealth, for love of Him, to kinfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and to those who ask and sets slaves free...and pays Zakat...” (2 177) (See also 3 91).

Zakat is a share of wealth that is obligatory upon a Muslim to give to fixed categories of beneficiaries if the value of his assets is more than

the specified limit. Islam has specified the persons to whom Zakat is payable “(Zakat) charity is only for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are made to incline to (truth), and (to free) the captives, and those in debt, and in the way of Allah... for the wayfarer...” (9 60). While only Muslims must pay Zakat, there`s no bar on its distribution among needy non-Muslims. In Islamic history we have seen its collection and distribution by the state.

The Prophet said, “Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection `O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. Man will say O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say Did you not know that my so-and-so servant (man) was ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? [Then Allah will say] I asked you for food and you fed Me not. Man will reply ...and how should I feed You? He will say My so-and-so servant asked you for food and you fed him not. Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward of doing so) with Me..?”

Thus the long hadith goes on outlining the various aspects of social service, and is a testimony that Islam enjoins service and kindness to fellow human beings. “To orphans restore their property (when they reach their age), not substitute (your) worthless things for their good ones; and devour not their substance (by mixing it up) with your own...” (04 02) (See also 2 220). The Prophet said, “Those striving to help widows and the poor are like those striving in the way of Allah.”

According to another hadith, the Prophet narrated “While a man was on his way, he found a thorny branch on the way and removed it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him [his sins].” Islam enjoins service to the people, be it ever so modest. The Prophet said that whosoever removes a worldly grief of a believer, Allah will remove from him one grief on the Day of Judgment. Whoever alleviates (the lot of) a needy person, Allah will alleviate (his lot) in this world and the next... Allah will aid His servant so long as the servant aids his fellow brother...

The Quran and the traditions of the Prophet are replete with such injunctions adjoining social service.