Principles of Islam
48. Social Service
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48. SOCIAL SERVICE
All the teachings of Islam are based on two basic
principles – worship of God and service of men.
Without putting both of these principles into
practice, there can be no true fulfillment of one’s
religious duties.
In its followers, Islam inculcates the spirit of love
and respect for all human beings. By serving human
beings on the one hand they please their God, and
on the other they achieve spiritual progress for
themselves.
According to a
hadith,
you should be merciful to
people on earth and God on high will be merciful to
you. In this way Islam links personal salvation to
serving others. One can receive God’s reward in the
Hereafter only if one has done something to
alleviate the sufferings of mankind.
According to a
hadith
on Doomsday God will say to
a person, “I was ill, but you did not come to nurse
Me.” The man will reply, “God, You being the Lord
of the universe how can You be ill?” God will
answer, “Such and such servant of Mine was ill.
