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December 21, 2005

Here's a Thought...Volunteer Your Way Through the Holidays!

If you are a Muslim living in the United States, or a revert looking for a way to still share in the holiday spirit of peace and good will towards mankind, or just in need of something to help you get through the transition of feeling at a loss because: (1) You have no family or your family members are far away from you; either physically and/or emotionally; (2) You don't know any other Muslims in your community with whom you can associate to help you get past the holidays, since, as a Muslim you are not (or as a revert no longer) participating in the religious aspects of the holiday season, or "Christmas"; (3) You live in an area where there isn't a masjid nearby; (4) You want to maintain the essence of the "holiday" season by doing something positive for mankind in general; (5) You have some spare time on your hands; (6) You are simply looking for an opportunity to practice the Islamic teaching to occupy your time in doing good deeds, or; (7) You don't have any plans for Eid-ul-Adha! Please visit VolunteerMatch.org!! You can begin your search for volunteer opportunities right here: http://www.volunteermatch.org/results. Customize your search to select from opportunities in categories like: Advocacy & Human Rights, Animals, Arts & Culture, Board Development, Children & Youth, Community, Computers & Technology, Crisis Support, Disabled, Education & Literacy, Emergency & Safety, Employment, Environment, Health & Medicine, Homeless & Housing, Hunger, Hurricane Relief, Immigrants & Refugees, International, Justice & Legal, Media & Broadcasting, Politics, Race & Ethnicity, Religion, Seniors, Sports & Recreation, and Women. You can even be a virtual volunteer! Just use the virtual opportunity search found here: http://www.volunteermatch.org/opportunities/virtual.jsp. As a virtual volunteer you can utilize your computer, Internet connection, phone, and/or fax. VolunteerMatch makes volunteering excuse free! To date VolunteerMatch has provided 2,349,861 referrals, and has offered 34,553 opportunities in association with 37,174 organizations!! Explore the multitude of opportunities available and see if there is a place where you can make a contribution today! Imagine the blessings to be found in representing Islam with the face of a Muslim, ready, willing, and able to show that we are truly a people of peace, love, kindness, understanding and charity. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Giving in charity is an obligation upon every Muslim". It was said (to him): "What about one who does not find (the means) to do so?'' He (PBUH) said, "Let him work with his hands, thus doing benefit to himself and give in charity.'' It was said to him: "What if he does not have (the means) to do so?'' He (PBUH) said, "Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved.'' It was said: "What about if he cannot even do this?'' He (PBUH) said, "Then he should enjoin good.'' He was asked: "What if he cannot do that?'' He (the Prophet (PBUH)) said, "He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] "Every good deed is charity." [Al-Bukhari] Happy Volunteering!!

3 comments:

  1. Assalamu alaikum Aishah,

    As a stay at home mom with little time to "get out there" and volunteer I assumed I would not be able to do much volunteering until my child was grown. But, subhannallah Allah makes a way for us all to give if we want to in our hearts.

    Check out the virtual volunteer options. Just use the virtual opportunity search found here: http://www.volunteermatch.org/opportunities/virtual.jsp. As a virtual volunteer you can utilize your computer, Internet connection, phone, and/or fax.

    This is wonderful. Praise be to Allah! And I thought the only sadaqua coming from poor (literally) old me would be a smile!:)

    Salaams

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  2. Wa'Alaikum Assalamu wa Rahmatuallahi wa Barakatuhu,

    Dear Sister,

    Insha'Allah this message finds you in the best of health and imaan. Ameen.

    I pray that, indeed, you do find an opportunity Ukht. Please let me know if you do and how it works out!

    There are such unforeseen blessings in volunteering! I spent some time as a Hospice Volunteer several years ago. I was assigned to a case in which a woman was dying from congenital heart disease. The woman's eldest daughter and primary caretaker was so kind and hospitable. On one particular longer-than-normal evening visit, my heart was so full as I exchanged hugs with the daughter that I had to fight back the tears; I didn't want to cry in front of her.

    I was thankful for the darkness as I stepped onto the front porch. Heading down the sidewalk towards my car parked at the end of the drive, I climbed into the driver's seat, put the key in the ignition, and before I could turn it, I finally succumed to the emotion that had built up inside. Gripping the steering wheel with both arms, my head pressed against it, I bowed to the tears...not tears of sadness...but tears of guilt. Guilt? Yes, guilt.

    My mission as a volunteer to this family was to do whatever I could in order to alleviate some of their burdens; to bring some relief to the primary caretaker, and maybe even bring a spot of brightness into the day of a gentle and fragile woman, slowly passing out of this life...(if only I had been Muslim then...). To help this family I could do any thing from just making a phone call, stopping to pick up a list of things that needed to be purchased from the grocery store, sitting with the mother while the daughter ran an errand or took a shower, or stopping by the hospital pharmacy to pick up medications that the hospice program offered for free.

    I looked forward to the time I spent with this small family...and that's where the guilt came from on the evening I sat, frozen in time, unable to pull my car out of the driveway.

    You see...even though it was apparent from the way the mother's eyes would light up when I would entered her room, and the way the daughter would smile and embrace me each time she opened the door in welcome, it hit me on that particular night as I was preparing to leave...that it seemed what they gave to me was so much more than I was able to give...subhan'Allah.

    So you see...the thing about volunteering (as you'll find with most things in life) is that, if you have a good intention...*wink*...no matter what venue you find in which to do it...what comes into your heart as a result just might surprise you.

    Happy Volunteering!

    Ma'Salaama.

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  3. From: "VolunteerMatch Support Team"
    To: "Hajja Aishah"
    Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 8:56 PM
    Subject: RE: ~*Here's a Thought...Volunteer Your Way Through the Holidays!*~ (#8402-36972059-3191)

    Thank you for the great feedback.

    Happy holidays,

    The VolunteerMatch Team

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