A Simple Introduction to Islam

SERVING HUMANITY

A Simple Introduction to Islam — Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.

Contents (51 chapters)
  1. Foreword
  2. TAWHEED:Oneness of God
  3. WHO ARE ANGELS?
  4. WHO ARE THE PROPHETS?
  5. PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  6. LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD
  7. THE TEACHINGS OF THE PROPHET
  8. QURAN: Word of God
  9. HADITH: Traditions of Prophet Muhammad
  10. ISLAM: Submission to God
  11. IMAN: Belief in God
  12. THE TRIAL OF MAN
  13. CREATION PLAN OF GOD
  14. ACTIONS DEPEND UPON INTENTION
  15. CONCEPT OF HEREAFTER
  16. PARADISE AND HELL
  17. RABBANIYAT: Islamic Spirituality
  18. TAQWA: God-Consciousness
  19. SHUKR: Gratitude to God
  20. ZIKR: Remembrance of God
  21. SALAT: Prayer Instills Modesty in a Worshipper
  22. SAWM: Fasting Teaches Restraint
  23. ZAKAT: The Law of Almsgiving
  24. CHARITY: Well-Wishing of Others
  25. HAJJ: Piligrimage to Makkah
  26. THE SIMPLE PRINCIPLE OF MORALITY
  27. SABR (PATIENCE): The Superior Solution
  28. SPEAKING THE TRUTH
  29. FULFILLING PROMISES
  30. THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEANLINESS
  31. TOLERANCE LEADS TO RESPECTING DIFFERENCES
  32. JIHAD IN ISLAM
  33. AVOIDANCE OF CLASH
  34. AT THE TIME OF DIFFERENCES
  35. A GOOD NEIGHBOUR IS A GOOD HUMAN BEING
  36. A BELIEVER’S DUTIES TOWARD HUMANITY
  37. SERVING HUMANITY
  38. ISLAM AND HUMAN EQUALITY
  39. HUMAN BROTHERHOOD
  40. GOD-ORIENTED LIFE
  41. PRAYER: Expression of Heartfelt Attachment to God
  42. PRAYERS REFRESH THE FAITH OF THE BELIEVER
  43. MORNINGS AND EVENINGS IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER
  44. TAWASSUM: Spiritual Nourishment From Everyday Events
  45. HOW SHOULD ONE LIVE IN THE FAMILY?
  46. BEAUTY IN SIMPLICITY
  47. DIVINE WAY: MOVE WITHIN YOUR SPHERE
  48. THE PURPOSE OF WEALTH
  49. LOSS AND GAIN
  50. CONCEPT OF SALVATION
  51. CONCLUSION

SERVING HUMANITY

The service of mankind is the service of humanity. After submission to and worship of God, there is no work greater than that of serving people.

One of the noble qualities of a believer is his desire to serve people, that is, serving God’s creatures, and fulfilling their needs without the hope of any return.

Helping others is, in fact, an acknowledgement of the divine blessings received by him. Only that person helps others who has more blessings than others, for instance, one who has vision helps those who are blind, a healthy person comes to the assistance of a handicapped person, a wealthy person aids a poor man, or a person who has power or position helps out someone who has no such resources.

On all such occasions, when a person helps someone because of the gifts God has given him, he acknowledges the blessings of God. It is like his saying, “O God whatever I have has been given by You. Now I am again spending it in Your cause.”

By doing social service, by coming to the assistance of others, a person does not just help others but rather elevates his own position, because using the gifts he has received from God only for himself is being selfish.

A selfless person is one who does not live inside the cocoon of his own self but aims to reach out to the whole of humanity. He feels he must lead his life in this world as the well-wisher of all. He should be ever ready to help others. He should accept the rights others have over his wealth.

The service of mankind is in other words, the service of humanity and after the worship of God, there is no work greater than that of serving people.