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Serving others is one of the most powerful ways to get closer to Allah.

In today’s self-focused culture, we’re constantly encouraged to prioritize personal growth and maximize our potential.

While acts of worship like salah, fasting, and dhikr are essential, our relationship with Allah is also nurtured through how we treat and care for His creation.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Whoever moves for a moment during the night or the day to fulfill their brother’s need, whether they fulfill it or not, it is better than seclusion in a mosque for two months” (Al-Hakim).

Reflect on that.

Even if we fail, simply making an effort to help someone is more significant in Allah’s sight than two months of seclusion in worship.

This profound teaching can help shift our focus from a purely inward journey to one that also embraces the needs of those around us.

While our acts of worship are important, they are incomplete without service to others.

Serving others isn’t only about giving material help; it also can mean being present in their times of difficulty—offering support, guidance, or even just a listening ear.

Today, the world glorifies individual success and self-growth.

But Islam teaches us that personal growth and communal well-being are interconnected.

As we grow in our connection to Allah, compassion naturally extends to those around us.

As we serve others, our connection to Allah increases.

Helping someone else draws us nearer to Allah in ways that personal acts of worship alone cannot achieve.

The beauty of Islam is that even small acts of service carry immense rewards.

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Whoever fulfills the needs of their brother or sister, Allah will fulfill their needs" (Sahih Muslim).

It's a reciprocal relationship: Allah takes care of our needs as we care for others.

Studies show that helping others triggers dopamine release, often called the "helper’s high," which significantly boosts emotional well-being.

This uplifts our mood but also reduces stress, increases feelings of happiness, and is known to lower symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Additionally, acts of kindness have been linked to increased empathy, as they help us better understand and connect with the experiences of others.

Practical Steps to Live This Sunnah

Be mindful of others' needs: Start by simply being more aware of the needs around you. Is there someone who could use a helping hand? Even reaching out to friends and family to check on them and become closer can be considered serving.

Make dua for others: Sincerely asking Allah to bless and guide our brothers and sisters is a simple yet profound way to serve.

Offer support: Remember, the reward is in the effort. Even if you can’t solve someone’s problem, standing by them, listening, and offering support can have immense spiritual and emotional value.

Be consistent: Regular small acts of kindness build the habit of service, nurturing our relationship with Allah and those around us.

For many of us, balancing life’s demands can be overwhelming.

We have jobs, families, and responsibilities that stretch us thin.

If serving others with your time is difficult, charity can be your form of service.

The time and effort you put into earning a living, only to give a portion to charity, carries immense reward.

Offering your wealth is akin to offering your time and efforts.

Whether we serve through our hands, our wealth, or our prayers, the essence remains the same: contributing to the well-being of others and embodying the compassion and care that Islam calls us to.

We’ve reached the final day of our campaign to provide orphans with the opportunity to power their futures through solar energy.

If you’ve already contributed, we sincerely thank you and ask that you encourage others to join this impactful cause before time runs out.