Funny isn't it? Does anyone agree with me?

[17th Angel]

people are starving, suffering, lonely, cold, ill and at war.

Not one bit funny.. But yes, actions are worth more than words... You can all go to your church and bless the meek bless the next door neighbour for not believing and bless this and that... It ain't gonna do squat... Only action works. A moto I live by, but not for religion and such... I give action not words... For other circumstances

If your role model can fix this... What's he waiting for? Acceptance? bs. If I see a child hit by a car or an animal in need of food... Because of caring and such I would help that being without it even having to thank me or do anything for me, except live it's life... If your role model just swarms in love... He should be doing something... Then again, there is the possiblity there isn't such a saviour.. Which would explain why he does jack.

 

[Francis king]

yes, postmaster, while we post here ppl are "starving, suffering, lonely, cold, ill and at war",

and yes, it would be lovely if we all "give up our time, ours minds, our wisdom, our bodies and our money to help others!"

but personally... I currently have three pounds in my pocket... no money in the bank, no job, and no sign of one... I haven''t signed up for welfare, and won't, so.. what can I give?

yes, I could give time, but I currently need it for myself- I've volunteered every year for the past ten years, so think I deserve a break on that score...

so, all I can do at present is pass my old clothes into charity shops... beyond that...

my mind- nobody wants, nor my wisdom, and beyond time and money, neither of which I have, there is nothing to give, is there?

oh ho, but there is...

u see, its not all about flashy shows and grandiose gestures... it can be about the small things, too- kind words, good advice, decency, consistency, not speaking ill of others or telling lies, or allowing petty disputes to get out of hand, making ppl feel better about themselves instead of putting them down, holding open doors, giving ur seat on the bus up to old dears, helping the girl get her pram and baby down a flight of stairs, looking out for each other- all things we can all do, no matter how poor or how busy...

if we ourselves are not in the kind of place were we can do these things, then it is not us who should be helping, but us who needs the help...

 

[Muslimwoman]

Hi Postmaster

I agree, something we should all get off our bottoms and do something about. Not huge, grand gestures but if each person did something nice for one other, the world would be a better place. I am always reminded, during such discussions, of the film Pay it Forward.

However, I also think there is a time and place for posting on forums. If we can strengthen our faith, thereby feeling more inclined to do good works, then something good has come of our time here. If we can dispel one persons misconception or bring one heart back to faith that is struggling to remain on the path. These are all things we can do here, even if we only have £3 in our pocket or feel our strength for such things is gone.

To be honest I do not have time for good works or can spare money for charities these days, I married into an unbelievably poor family and must work to improve their lot in life for now. However my time in this forum strengthens my resolve to improve their lives. Some days I could and do just cry with the frustration and responsibility of it all and CR pulls me back to what is important in my life. My submission to G-d and why He brought me to that family.

Salaam
MW

 

[wil]

MW please correct me if I falter...

This could be my fairy tale...I have no clue how right I have this.

I am enamored with what I understand is the Islamic tenant on charity...one of the pillars I believe. One is to give 2% of their monetary holdings to charity. ie once a year you look at the bank account and give 2% to charity.

Now what is charity?? Charity starts at home, ie take care of your brother and sister... the thought being if you can assist them in getting an education or starting a business, they in turn will have increased their worth and be able to give and do more.

Then take care of cousins and uncles etc....the thought being if you can assist them in getting an education or starting a business, they in turn will have increased their worth and be able to give and do more.

Then take care of your neighbors and close sommunity...the thought being if you can assist them in getting an education or starting a business, they in turn will have increased their worth and be able to give and do more.

Then take care of your friends, country, fellow man...the thought being if you can assist them in getting an education or starting a business, they in turn will have increased their worth and be able to give and do more.

Then look to those in the world in need...the thought being if you can assist them in getting an education or starting a business, they in turn will have increased their worth and be able to give and do more.

When this was explained to me by a visiting Imam it made perfect sense....and like I said, I may have it completely wrong, I may have co-opted the thought to my own...as I have a tendency to do...

But the old/new pay it forward, do a good turn daily, be a good samaritan, lend a helping hand...these are acts of charity that cause others to do more for their fellow man...

A challenge...today...don't do an "I should've" step out of the box and help someone...provide the dollar...pull over at the lemonade stand and encourage that young entrepreneur...truth is.. we all have the time...even the least of us.

 

[Muslimwoman]

This could be my fairy tale...I have no clue how right I have this.

Nope, not a fairy tale although debatable how many people actually do this these days.

one of the pillars I believe. One is to give 2% of their monetary holdings to charity. ie once a year you look at the bank account and give 2% to charity.

Correct it is called zakat. It does not have to be money, you just give a portion of what you have to someone less fortunate than yourself. So a farmer may give an animal to relatives.

When this was explained to me by a visiting Imam it made perfect sense....and like I said, I may have it completely wrong, I may have co-opted the thought to my own...as I have a tendency to do...

You have it absolutely correct. Charity begins at home and spreads outward. My husband has had his business for 2 years now and is now able to care for his parents financially. However, the two men he employs are from poor families in his home area, as he has no family that can work for him but he would choose poor men from his area above young men from a wealthier family. Hubby though is concerned about providing for his younger brother, so is planning to work abroad for a couple of years () in order to pay for his young brother to get on in life. The idea being if his brother can get a better job, he can then provide for his own children and of course help to care for their parents.

However, his parents do so many charitable acts for us. They cannot afford financial acts, so they care for us in different ways. His mother worries about my fair skin (I get sick in the heat) so every few days she walks to the market to bring my shopping for me. His father will come out at 3am to fix my fuses, rather than wait until the morning or if hubby is away and I 'hear noises'. So the whole family is dragged out of bed and come for a check of me and a cuppa. Okay so you may see this as normal family behaviour but it goes beyond that. It is about caring for those around you, putting yourself out for them. Basically they accept that what goes around, comes around. There is no social security or pension schemes for them, so they know in later years they will rely 100% on their sons financially. It keeps families close.

This is just family. I also walk in the street with my mother in law, the poorest person I have met in my life and she will give money (usually a quarter of whatever she has) to someone begging in the street. As we walk away she always says alhamdolillah (thanks to G-d) because she knows that could easily have been her.

A challenge...today...don't do an "I should've" step out of the box and help someone...provide the dollar...pull over at the lemonade stand and encourage that young entrepreneur...truth is.. we all have the time...even the least of us.

You are absolutely right Wil, we can all do something but choose to live in our safe little blindfolded bubble. I have a dream (not very original I know) but of creating a co-operative in our town. To start poor people working (eg buy 4 taxi's), then as they begin to stand on their own feet, they have to pass that 'start' onto someone else (by buying their own taxi and giving the older one to a poor man). Also to provide a free school for the poor kids but of course if they don't work the parents often don't eat, so need to create work for the parents. Now all I have to do is win the lottery or learn how to create a charity and bring money in for this scheme. Wish I had more brains.