Islamic principles of Social Care

Having seen recent tweets by ADASS with regard to Islamic principles relating to Social Care I was much impressed and wanted to follow up their tweets with more information on the subject based on my views, understanding and research in to these matters.

As a young Muslim I was always surrounded with religious stories in Islam based on kindness, compassion and care. One such story on behavior had a profound effect on me and still acts almost as a guide to my life (thanks to my late uncle  Ebrahim who told me it). 

The story is of a religious woman who was cruel to a cat, and may be viewed as pious woman and another woman who had an occupation as lady of the night an impious woman, who saw a thirsty dog by a well. (certain parts of dogs are considered unclean in Islam). The impious woman seeing the dog and noticing the well had no bucket to draw water, took of her sock dipped it in water and squeezed it to give the dog a drink. It is said that God considered the impious woman better than the pious woman for her treatment and rewarded her for it.

If this is what I was taught about behavior to animals, you can see how much importance Islam would pay towards showing care for mankind.

There are many quotes in the Koran (holy book) about respecting and showing care of the elderly, children and the sick. 

Surah (chapter) 17 ayah (line) 70. By no means then can we diminish mankind mentally, emotionally, physically, or in any other way like race, gender, colour. Man should always wish for others what he wishes for himself. There should be no place for selfishness or egoism. 

The Koran is often supplemented by further teachings or saying of the prophet peace be upon him (PBUH are words that a Muslim must say after mentioning the prophet). These are known as Hadith and always show the name of person who heard it with the saying. Thus Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever does not show mercy to our young ones, or acknowledge the rights of our elders, is not one of us. ”Source: Musnad Aḥmad 7033. 

These above rules and sayings show that Islam values the importance of looking after the elderly, sick and young. Islam via both in the Koran and Hadith have these ideas and principles imbedded deeply within its core.

With regard to specific examples of actual Social Care systems, I have learnt that in prophetic tradition Umar ibn`Abdul-`Aziz (r) asked as an Islamic Ruler asked local rulers of the provinces to send him the names of all those who are blind, crippled, or with a chronic illness that prevented them from establishing salaah (prayer). So, they sent him their names. He, in turn, ordered that every blind man should have an employee to guide and look after him, and that every two chronically ill persons — those with special needs — be attended by a servant to serve and care for them (Ibn Al-Jawzi). 

The same course was taken by the Umayyad caliph Al-Waleed ibna`Abdul-Malik (may Allah have mercy on him). The idea of the establishment of institutes or centers for the care of people with special needs was his. In AH 88 (707 CE), he ordered the establishment of a foundation specialised in looking after them. Doctors and servants, paid fixed stipends, were employed in this foundation. He granted a regular allowance to persons with special needs, and told them, “Do not beg people.” Thereby, he made them sufficient to not beg others. In addition, he appointed employees to serve all those who were disabled, crippled, or blind (Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari).*

Both these examples show early forms of established systems in Social Care in Islam. 

The purpose for me in writing this article was I wanted to let the Social Care system know that Islam has a strong rich history and background in care, which i hope will encourage more Muslims to come forward and see the work as an important religious duty as well as good career move.