Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
10. The Concept of Social Welfare in Islam
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application. The concept of charity in Islam is thus linked with
justice, and is not limited to the redressed of grievances. It implies,
apart from the removal of handicaps, the recognition of the right
that every human being has to attain the fullness of life.
Inspired by the traditions of the Prophet, the spirit of helping
others to earn God’s pleasure has been best reflected in Muslim
society in the field of education. Following the dictum: “The
greatest charity is for a Muslim to learn something and then teach
it to others” (Ahmad). Generation after generation, Muslims in
large numbers have devoted themselves to the enlightenment of
others in the field of education. They did this individually and also
by establishing
maktabs
and
madrasas
, that is primary schools and
colleges. These educational institutions, set up in the house of the
teacher or in separate buildings, generally made no charges for
instruction. Wealthy people helped in the running of these
madrasas
, not only through
zakah
but also by making them
endowments (
waqf
) of their properties, the income from which met
the needs of these schools. Orphans and poor people were given
stipends in addition to boarding and lodging.
Waqf
is a permanent form of charity, which is called
sadaqah
jariah
. It covers, in addition to giving education to the needy, such
good works as helping someone to recover from some disease by
monetary assistance; looking after orphans and the destitute, and
giving scholarships to students. This being an institution is the
reason for so many centres of social welfare having continued to
