Why Volunteerism Matters?

Working for Change

By Taha GhayyurSound Vision & DawaNet

Anyone can say, “The world is bad”.

Not many would say, “Let’s Change this World”. -Anonymous

WHY WORK FOR CHANGE?

WHY Should We Volunteer?

WHY Bother with Community Activism?

1. It’s the Mission Statement for Muslims Given By God: To invite people to goodness and to warn them about evil.

2. We are Khalifah’s (Representatives and Ambassadors) of God on Earth. We are the Agents of Positive Change. We are the Change!

3. We want to be the BEST!

“The best among

people is the one...

Who takes keen

interest in enjoining good and

forbidding wrong...”

-Prophet Muhammad

[Musnad Ahmad]

4. Community Service was the Sunnah (Lifestyle) of Prophet Muhammad

“The Leader of the community is their Servant.” - Prophet Muhammad [Daylami and Tabarani]

5. Desire to be Part of the Special Community of Prophet Muhammad:

“He is not one of us, who….does not work to bring people to good (Ma'ruf) and repel them from evil (Munkar).” – Prophet Muhammad [Ahmad]

6. Prophet Muhammad Encouraged Us to Take Action:

“Whoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” – Prophet Muhammad [Muslim]

7.God will Not Change Our Condition unless We Work to Change

"Surely, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change

that which is in themselves." [Quran 7:11]

8. To Stay Focused & Be Productive! Idle Mind -> Satan -> Sins -> Unproductive

"One of the many signs that one is disliked by Allah is the wasting of his or her time” (i.e. he/she would be involved useless things). – Ibn Qayyim

9. Volunteering is Our Way to Thank God & Thank People

"He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah.”

-Prophet Muhammad [Tirmidhi & Abu Dawud]

10.Care for Others is a Condition to Receive God’s Mercy

“Have mercy

(Rahma) on those

on the earth so that the

One in the

Heaven may have mercy on

you.” [Tirmidhi]

11.Act While We have the Opportunity!

"Good health and spare time are two of the blessings of Allah, with respect to which many people are deceived." – Prophet Muhammad [Bukhari]

12.Deep Personal Satisfaction

13.Helps Keep Depression Away! Empowers Both the Giver & Receiver.

14.Opportunity to Discover & Contribute to a Cause We Believe in

15.Best Way to Discover & Develop Our Talent: Communication & Leadership Skills

16.Opportunity to Make Long-Lasting, Meaningful Friendships!

17.Employers are Looking for Those Who Volunteer & Give Back to the Community

18.Helps Us Learn & Appreciate Team Work

20.We Can Bring Spiritual & Social Revival:

“Revolutionaries are the children and young people…The young people are the ones who most quickly identify with the struggle and necessity to eliminate the evil conditions that exist.” – Malcolm X

20.Canada Needs Volunteers!• 13.3 million Canadians contribute 2.1 billion hours, the equivalent of 1.1 million full-time jobs

• 47% of Canadians volunteer• Religion plays an important role

in formal volunteering: 65% of Canadians who attended weekly religious services did volunteering, compared with 44% of those who did not attend weekly or at all.

• Volunteers who were frequent religious attendees dedicated about 40% more hours on average than other volunteers.(Source: Canada Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 2010)

Where Do I Start? Ask Yourself… I POSTER

1. Is my intention pure?2. What are 2-3 skills or talents I have that I

can contribute to community?3. How much time an I willing to commit

daily or weekly? Weekdays? Weekends?4. What kind of cause or project or

organization I am more passionate about?5. What kind of experience I would like

obtain from volunteering?6. Can I ensure to be regular in volunteering?7. Am I willing to make helping others a

priority?