Islamic

Humanitarianism
Saeed R. Purcell
Associates of Islamic Studies in English

What do I mean by Islamic?

Taken from the two revelational sources of guidance in
al-Islaam:
The Quraan
Uncreated speech of Allaah

The Sunnah
The authentic prophetic example

"I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will
not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His
Prophet. (Maalik)

Meaning of Humanitarian:
Concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare (adjective)
A person who seeks to promote human welfare; a philanthropist
(noun)
SYNONYMS
compassionate, humane; unselfish, altruistic, generous, magnanimous,
benevolent, merciful, kind, sympathetic (all the above is taken from the
Oxford Dictionary)

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the
worlds. (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 107)

The Universal Golden Rule

None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what
he loves for himself. (Agreed Upon)
An-Nawawee said It is better to interpret this as brotherhood in
general, such that it includes the disbeliever and the Muslim. So he
should love for his brother, the disbeliever, what he loves for himself
which is his entering Islam, just as he should love for his brother
Muslim that he remains in Islam. For this reason, it is recommended
to supplicate for the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love
here is an intention for good and benefit, and this meaning is
religious love, not human love. (Sharh Arbaeen An-Nawawi 13)

The Universal Testimony

And [mention] when your Lord took from the children of Adam - from
their loins - their descendants and made them testify of themselves,
[saying to them], Am I not your Lord? They said, Yes, we have
testified. [This] - lest you should say on the day of Resurrection,
Indeed, we were of this unaware. (Al-Araaf 7: 172)

Every child is born upon the Fitrah, it is only his parents who turn him into a
Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian. Just as animals are born having full bodies,
do you see any of them having a cutoff nose (when they are born) (Agreed
Upon)

An Important Narration

"The most beloved of humanity to Allaah, the Exalted,
are those who are most beneficial to them, to
humanity. [Saheeh; As-Silsilah as-Saheehah, alAlbaanee, #906]

A Practical Example
ICNA Relief USA
Vision
Charity of choice for all Americans based on Faith, Compassion and Service

Mission
ICNA Relief USA seeks to alleviate human suffering by providing caring and compassionate
service to victims of adversities and survivors of disasters. ICNA Relief USA strives to build
healthy communities, strengthen families and create opportunities for those in despair while
maintaining dignity and advocating for basic human needs.

Goals
Assist and empower under-privileged Americans through sustainable social service programs
Strengthen the family system through education and value based family services.
Foster effective partnership and coordination with Islamic Centers, faith based organizations,
civic and governmental agencies.
Develop effective disaster response and recovery programs