Humanitarianism is one of the fundamental principles ofIslam. The Muslim religion considers both humanitarian actions and the duty to help as religious obligations by which all Muslims, rich and poor, are bound. Quranic texts and Hadiths sometimes have an exhortatory tone encouraging charity works. “The first to enter Paradise are those who do charitable works” At other times the texts are formulated as a clear order: “Rescue prisoners, feed the hungry and look after the ill”. The study of Quranic and Hadith texts gives a clear idea of the intensity of the force with which the Muslim religion has stimulated humanitarian action. This is both a ritual and an obligation. When a Muslim undertakes a humanitarian action he does so primarily as an act of worship, to be nearer to Almighty Allah. He expects a reward in this life or in the hereafter. He cannot declare himself a believer if he does not come to the aid of his fellow men. In his eyes piety is in dissociable from pity. He knows that he can be prosecuted if he does not fulfill his obligation to the poor and the victims of disaster. He firmly believes that making a donation to help the needy erases his sins and will serve as an intercession in his favour to avoid the punishment of the grave, the tests on Qiyamah (Day of Judgment) and the flames of hell. The mechanisms put into place by the religion (e.g. Zakat, Waqf, Kaffara) have an unequalled impact on the lives of the population in terms, inter alia, of significant support for the most vulnerable.
Those involved in humanitarian work draw strength from the fact that financing for these structures is guaranteed, which also secures professionalism and efficiency, as it is well known that voluntary work has its limits. To undertake a humanitarian act is a way of receiving help from heaven, of erasing sins, escaping punishment, thanking Almighty Allah for his mercies and meriting Jannah. May Almighty Allah give us strength to work for humanity in a true and real Islamic spirit. (Aameen!)
The diversity of the texts motivating humanitarian work has had the effect of encouraging a proliferation of actions in various domains: food aid, expansion of the educational system and health care and water supplies. The majority of texts do not exclude non-Muslims from receiving aid. Humanitarian actions should be performed independent of all religious, racial or political criteria. The close link between humanitarian action and religious practice guarantees wide public adherence and the perpetuity of donations and resources thanks to various religious incitements. Religious arrangements have reserved a large proportion of donations for the structures charged with administering Zakat and Waqf. Those involved in humanitarian work draw strength from the fact that financing for these structures is guaranteed, which also secures professionalism and efficiency, as it is well known that voluntary work has its limits. To undertake a humanitarian act is a way of receiving help from heaven, of erasing sins, escaping punishment, thanking Almighty Allah for his mercies and meriting Jannah. May Almighty Allah give us strength to work for humanity in a true and real Islamic spirit. (Aameen!)
