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Through these ten points
several aspects of Islam are being served and we can feel that we are
doing something in an organized fashion to help promote a healthy and
constructive way of life
10 things every Muslim can do to make a difference
Adapted from "Ten Things Every Muslim Must Do" by Yahiya
Emerick
#1 Sponsor an Orphan. Before anything else, there are hungry children
everywhere who have needs right now. There are several reputable
programs that offer orphan sponsorship at very low monthly cost.
We know that we can afford to do it. Supporting an orphan can make us
close to the Prophet in Paradise.
#2 Go to the Mosque at least once a week for Salat. Even if someone can
not go to the local Mosque for the Friday prayers because of their job,
then we can at least go for one Maghrib (evening prayer) once a week or
for Zuhr (noon prayer) on the weekend. Whatever time is suitable we can
at least take timeout for this once a week Ð with our family. This will
help us and our family make the Mosque a center for activity and our
children will develop ties to the
community. If we don't like the way the Mosque is operated, we have an
opportunity to make it better by getting involved. If someone lives in a
remote area that does not have a Mosque, then pray together at home with
all the family members.
#3 Send your children to an Islamic School. If your children go to
public school, and there is no Islamic school nearby, then make sure
they either get into some Sunday school program, or, if the local
Islamic Center doesn't run it right, then pool together with some
like-minded families and run your own program at somebody's house every
Saturday or Sunday and conduct it the way you think it should be done.
This is the minimum requirement for not losing our children to
materialism and other social ills.
#4 Buy at least one book, audio or video produced by a Muslim company or
author per month. Have you ever wished that there were better items for
you and your family's pleasure? Unfortunately, there is not enough
support for writers and artists. People who write or produce for the
Muslim market have a very difficult time sustaining them selves. That
must change if you want to see wonderful products for ourselves and our
children. Just buy one product per month. Collectively, this can
encourage our creative and talented brothers and sisters to do more.
Visit IslamiCity Bazar.
#5 If you see new Muslims at the Islamic Center, then become a host
family to them. The convert experience is basically one of isolation and
loneliness.
You'd be surprised to know that most converts are often ignored by the
people in the Islamic Centers. Beyond a few pleasantries and handshakes,
they are usually never made to feel welcome or accepted. They are often
cut off from their non-Muslim friends and relatives so they are doubly
vulnerable. A new convert should be invited into various people's home
for dinner as often as possible and especially on Islamic holidays. Get
together with others and make sure you all put the new convert on your
guest list for any sort of gathering.
#6 Keep three extra Quran translations and some literature in your home
at all times. You never know when you'll find someone interested who
wants to know more. Besides, our children may only understand English.
Encourage the children to read the translation and discuss the Quran
with them. Quran and Quran study materials.
# 7 Invite your neighbors to your home for dinner. Most of the time we
are so involved with our circle of friends, family and co-workers we
forget the people who are living right next to us. To be good to your
neighbor is an important example shown to us by Prophet Muhammad. So
invite your neighbors to your house and get to know them and let them
know you.
#8 Make a big deal out of the family meal. The concept of a family meal
is a dying trend. The dinner table is not only a place of sustenance and
family business but also a place for the teaching and passing on of our
values. Manners and rules are subtly absorbed over the table. Family
mealtime should communicate and sustain ideals that children will draw
on throughout their lives.
#9 Establish an Islamic culture in the home. Make sure you and your
family have cultural-type items in your home in abundance that are
associated with Islam or Islamic culture. Everyone in your home should
have prayer beads, prayer rugs, kufis, Hijabs, (even if they're worn
only for prayer), gowns, posters, wall plaques, stickers, logo-shirts,
Islamic screen-savers on the computer, and so on. You want to establish
an identity in your home.
#10 Be a good example. Face it: human beings learn and form opinions
primarily through modeling. In fact, we can't avoid being an example and
model to our family, children, friends, co-workers, neighbors and even
strangers, whether good or bad. Being a good example, then, is probably
our most important job.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. These are just some things that
can be done, with minimal trouble and fuss, by each and every Muslim
family.
Through these ten points several aspects of Islam are being served and
we can feel that we are doing something in an organized fashion to help
promote a healthy and constructive way of life, at the same time we can
fulfill our responsibility to our Creator. Give it a try and see how
easy these things really are.
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If you have other ideas about the things one should do to create
harmony with God, within your self, your family, your neighborhood and
humanity at large, please write to www.al-huda.com
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