Social service acts are often ones that surround the community and helping other people. The stress on brotherhood irrespective of race, ethnicity, and nationality is so much so that our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) considered faith to be incomplete until one loves for his brother what he loves for himself.  

 

There are various examples of social service.

 

Taking care of orphans 

 

In one verse, Allah (swt) suggests that a person who ignores orphans is not really a believer.

 

‘Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense [the religion]? For that is the one who drives away the orphan’. Al Ma’un: 1-2

 

Through this, it can be seen how important it is to not only engage in community service acts aimed at helping orphans but to ensure that our behavior and our attitude reflect the utmost respect and care for them. There are various organizations and fundraisers aimed at providing orphans with nutritious meals, clothes, healthcare, education and by taking part in them we will not only be changing lives for the better, but we will be upholding a Sunnah.

 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this', and he (ﷺ) held his two fingers together to illustrate. [Bukhari]

 

Provide Education for the Underprivileged 

 

Social service acts can take the form of donation of classroom material, textbooks, stationery, and even teaching those who may lack the resources to access quality education because quality education is a basic human right.

 

Narrated `Abdullah bin Mas`ud: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Qur'an) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others." (Fath-al-Bari page 177 Vol. 1)

 

Engaging in Community Clean Up Programs

 

By bringing volunteers together to clean areas that have been neglected, vandalized, or misused; the lives of many can be improved. Access to a clean environment can prevent many diseases and potential illnesses from spreading. Additionally, as seen by the hadith below, that even by simply removing a thorny branch from someone’s way, we can attain Allah’s forgiveness.

 

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While a man was on the way, he found a thorny branch of a tree there on the way and removed it. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him."