Power of Friendship & Philanthropy in Transforming Lives

Power of Friendship & Philanthropy in Transforming Lives 

The Concept of Human Friendship and Philanthropy 

Even in these challenging times, there are still people who selflessly serve humanity with love, kindness, and a sense of duty. In reality, society continues to exist because of such noble and sincere individuals. If compassionate people were to disappear from the world entirely, life would become chaotic, and the existence of a peaceful and welfare-based society would become impossible. 

Why is Human Friendship and Philanthropy Important? 

If we build good relationships with one another, we can succeed in every aspect of life. Friendship and kindness open new possibilities, helping us understand and cooperate with others. Human connection is essential because we are all linked in some way—whether through family, friendships, or communities. By maintaining good relationships with our neighbors, friends, colleagues, and family members, we can improve our lives. 

To build strong relationships, we must understand the importance of respect, love, trust, loyalty, and cooperation. Islam also emphasizes the bond between individuals, considering all Muslims as brothers. 

The Role of Philanthropy in Society 

Poverty, hopelessness, financial struggles, and social inequality often lead to stress and depression. In such difficult situations, those who care for humanity help make tough times easier through their charitable efforts. God has established principles and laws for all aspects of life, including personal, family, and social matters. One of the most important social needs is human relationships. When we connect with others around us, we naturally form deep bonds, which we often call friendship. 

The True Value of Friendship 

Friendship is one of the most significant relationships in life. While family ties are important, sometimes friendships hold an even greater place in our hearts. It is said that a brother is like an arm, but a friend is like the heart, with whom we share all our secrets, joys, and sorrows. A wise person once said, "A friend is like an umbrella—when the storm of difficulties arrives, we realize its true value." 

Experience and observation also prove that in times of sadness, more than in times of joy, a person needs a friend's shoulder to lean on—to share their burdens and find the strength to move forward. 

Human Friendship Meaning in Literature 

In literature, the meaning of human friendship (or humanity) is to consider human love, support for human rights, and human welfare as the purpose of life, and to promote the religion of humanity. Its goal is to instill human qualities in nations because serving humanity is the means to salvation. 

If we look at the history of Prophet Adam, creating Adam and Eve and binding them in a human relationship was essentially about making love. It was about writing the history of humankind and the descendants of Adam. In this context, we are all children of Adam and Eve, meaning we are brothers and sisters. This belief in brotherhood and sisterhood has continued.  

It seems that every element of the universe has been created to serve and assist human beings. Even if a person appears weak and helpless on the surface, they are, in reality, a grand and noble being. Consider this: the sun, the moon, the planets, the oceans, the mountains, the winds, the clouds, and even the tiniest blades of grass—all play a significant role in serving humanity. 

If any of these elements, no matter how insignificant they may seem, were to disappear from the world, their absence would certainly cause harm to humans. Even grains of sand and blades of grass, if removed from existence, would result in some loss for humanity. If there were no air, humans would suffer. If there were no water, humans would suffer. If there were no clouds, humans would suffer. If the sun and planets ceased to exist, humans would still suffer. 

However, if, humanity itself were to vanish from existence, it would cause no loss to the sun, the planets, the oceans, or the winds. The absence of human beings would make no difference to any of these entities; they would continue to exist as usual. 

This leads to a very significant conclusion: humans do not serve any element of the universe, but every element of the universe serves humans. Humans do not exist to serve anything, yet everything in the universe exists to serve humans. The universe is not for humanity’s service; rather, humanity is the purpose for which the universe exists. 

The truth is that human beings exist for God (Allah Almighty), and they also exist for one another. In Islam, the first aspect of this principle is referred to as Huquq Allah (the rights of God), while the second aspect is called Huquq al-Ibad (the rights of people). Within the limits of this world, Huquq al-Ibad holds even greater importance than Huquq Allah. This is what true humanity and human kindness are all about. 

The absence of human kindness is simply the result of people forgetting the true status of humanity. They forget that they are the masters of all creation, that they have been given dominion over the universe, that they are the noblest of all creatures, that even the angels were commanded to bow before them, and that they are the vicegerents of God on Earth. Humanity was created in the best form, yet its greatest misfortune is that it often forgets its dignity. When a person loses awareness of their true self, they also forget their honorable status. They fail to remember how esteemed and sacred they truly are. 

It is God Himself who has honored humankind. The Almighty declares: 

"Indeed, We have dignified the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, granted them good and lawful provisions, and privileged them far above many of Our creatures." (Surah Al-Isra: 70). 

So if the Creator of the universe cherishes and honors human beings, what can be said about their dignity and greatness? Indeed, humanity is truly remarkable. People are the representatives of the Most Merciful and Compassionate, and therefore, mercy and kindness shine through them. They are the embodiment of love and affection, the best of friends, and worthy only of friendship. 

Hatred, enmity, malice, resentment, and jealousy take root in a person's heart only when they become disconnected from their humanity. Such negativity is a sign of spiritual illness, where a person, in a state of delusion, begins to harm themselves. 

Human kindness is the essence of every divine religion because all revealed faiths share the same fundamental message. One of the core principles of human kindness is found in the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): 

"On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) — the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) — that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 

None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself. [Al-Bukhari] [Muslim]"

• Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 13. 
• (English) reference: Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 13 
• Bukhari: Book 2, Hadith 6.  
• Reference: Sahih Muslim 45a 
• In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 77 
• (English) reference: Book 1, Hadith 72 
• (Bukhari & Muslim – Narrated by Anas). 

Show kindness to fellow Muslims, pray for their well-being, support one another in times of need, and feel compassion rather than rejoicing over someone’s hardships. 

Explanation: 

This hadith emphasizes the importance of not finding joy in the difficulties of a Muslim brother. It teaches that we should never feel happiness when someone else faces hardships because Allah may grant them relief and place them in a similar situation instead. Rather than celebrating another’s misfortune, we should feel empathy and pray for their well-being. 

The Power of Human Friendship in Shaping Modern Philanthropy: 

The Prophet Muhammad PBUH also instructed us to be kind to one another and offer help in times of difficulty. He stated that by doing so, we earn Allah’s love and forgiveness. Therefore, all Muslims should keep this hadith in mind whenever they feel tempted to take pleasure in someone else’s struggles. 

Show kindness towards fellow Muslims; Pray for their well-being; Help each other in times of need; Feel compassion instead of expressing joy over someone's misfortunes. 

This statement conveys that sincere good conduct in Islam is not limited to showing kindness only in response to kindness but rather involves consistently performing good deeds, even in the face of negativity or injustice. It highlights the importance of maintaining strong moral character, regardless of how others behave. 

Another Prophetic Saying: 

Translation: 

 "Do not rejoice over your brother’s misfortune, lest Allah show mercy to him and afflict you with the same hardship." 

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2506 

His Excellency Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) sent him to Yemen, his final advice to him was: 

Translation: 

"Yahya related to me from Malik that Mu’adh ibn Jabal said, "The last advice the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave me when I put my foot in the stirrup was that he said, 'Make your character good for the people, Mu’adh ibn Jabal!' " 

• Reference: Book 47, Hadith 1 
• (English) reference: Book 47, Hadith 1 
• Arabic reference: Book 47, Hadith 1636. 

On another occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that true kindness is not merely repaying goodness with goodness and evil with evil. Rather, true kindness is to do good in every situation, whether people treat you with kindness or with harm. 

In this regard, the greatest responsibility has been placed on leaders and those in positions of authority. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: 

Translation: 

"The leader of a people is their servant. The one who surpasses others in serving people cannot be surpassed by them in any other deed except martyrdom."  

al-Bayhaqi and Mishkat al-Masabih -Hadith No. 3841. 

Explanation: 

The point is that a wealthy or ruling person should serve the nation, consider their interests, and take into account their external and internal conditions. Some scholars have stated that the intended meaning is that whoever dedicates themselves to serving their people and community is, in reality, their true leader due to the great reward associated with such service, even if, outwardly, they appear to hold a lower status within the community. This is because no act is superior to serving the nation, except for one who fights in the path of Allah and attains martyrdom. 

Islam, while promoting human compassion, firmly establishes the principle that one should show the same sincerity and goodwill towards others as one would expect from oneself. The pain of others should be felt as if it were one’s suffering.  

With the spirit of empathy, good character and service to humanity complete one’s sense of humanity. What is remarkable is that this honor and kindness extend equally to non-Muslims. First, Allah Himself declares in the Quran: 

"Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam." (Surah Al-Isra: 70). 

The phrase Bani Adam (children of Adam) includes both Muslims and non-Muslims, meaning that Allah has granted dignity to all of humanity. Furthermore, the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) holds fundamental importance in this regard: 

"Whoever oppresses a non-Muslim citizen, harms him, burdens him beyond his capacity, or takes anything from him by force—I will stand as his advocate against the Muslim in the court of Allah on the Day of Judgment." (Abu Dawood). 

Safwan ibn Sulaym reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever wrongs a person protected by a covenant, violates his rights, burdens him with more work than he can do, or takes something from him without his consent, I will be his prosecutor on the Day of Resurrection.” 

• Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 3052 

• Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Arna’ut. 

In Islam, the rights of people (Huquq al-Ibad) hold even greater significance than the rights of Allah (Huquq Allah). This is because fulfilling the rights of people is simultaneously an act of obedience to Allah, as He is the ultimate lawgiver. The entire concept of Huquq al-Ibad is built on human kindness and compassion. 

Islam has comprehensively defined the rights of various individuals, including parents, spouses, children, relatives, orphans, the needy, neighbors, guests, non-Muslim citizens, servants, subordinates, the poor, the hungry, and the sick. Books of Hadith dedicate separate chapters to each of these groups.

As an example, consider this hadith regarding the last category—the hungry and the sick: 

On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: 

Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me. 

• Reference: Hadith 18, 40 Hadith Qudsi 

This hadith makes it clear that true devotion to God is expressed through kindness to humanity. 

Now, consider this: the four well-known traits of a hypocrite are the complete opposite of human kindness. These traits are: 

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: 

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up. 

1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. 

2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 

3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. 

4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil, and insulting manner." 

• (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 34 
• In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 27). 
• (English) reference: Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 34. 

This shows that hypocrisy is a contradictory trait to human kindness. On the contrary, human kindness springs forth from faith and sincerity. 

Dr Ghulam Murtaza Malik, an Islamic Scholar!