By: Dr. Farhana Quratulain
Contributing Beyond Myself and My Family
In an era where individualism dominates, self-reliance and personal freedom are celebrated as the highest ideals. The focus is often on personal success and the well-being of one’s immediate family. While these values have their place, they have also led to a world where empathy wanes, and the collective moral fabric weakens. Yet, human beings are created with diverse talents and strengths, meant to complement one another in building a society grounded in compassion and justice.
Allah reminds us of this interconnectedness in the Quran:
“O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
If we continue prioritizing personal comfort over collective well-being, we risk extinguishing the very essence of morality and empathy that sustains society. We witness oppression, injustice, and suffering daily, yet how often do we rise to take action? The world is in dire need of a shift—one that revives the spirit of selflessness and rekindles our sense of duty beyond ourselves. Imagine a world where, in your time of need, everyone turns away. That is the world we are creating when we choose inaction over engagement.
The Call to Action: Transforming Culture Begins with Us
Change does not happen in grand, distant gestures—it begins within.
The Quran offers a powerful motivation for those who dedicate themselves to the service of others:
“And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.” (Surah Al-Ankaboot, 29:69)
What greater reward is there than to have Allah by our side? This realization should ignite in us a relentless pursuit of goodness, one that does not wait for convenience or external validation. The righteous—those who race toward virtue—are honored in the highest manner:
“And the forerunners, the forerunners— Those are the ones brought near [to Allah] in the Gardens of Pleasure.”
(Surah Al-Waqi’ah, 56:10-12)
Let us strive to be among the forerunners. Let our actions reflect a higher standard—one where service to others is not an afterthought but a guiding principle. Let us not reserve goodness for our free time or when it costs us nothing, for the ultimate reward belongs to those who give without hesitation.