t majority of churches either refused or said they couldn’t help. She then contacted the Islamic Centre of Charlotte — the first mosque she called — and they immediately asked for her location and the type of formula she needed so they could deliver it to her.
An American TikTok
user conducted a social experiment, contacting over 30 churches requesting urgent assistance in providing baby formula. The vast majority of churches refused to help or said they couldn't. She then contacted the Islamic Center of Charlotte—the first mosque she called—and they immediately asked for her location and the type of baby formula she needed so they could deliver it.
But why?
The answer is quite simple: because Islam is a religion of social solidarity.
This is evident in the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) hadith about the pillars of Islam. He said, "Islam is built upon five pillars: testifying that there is no god but God, establishing prayer, paying zakat (obligatory charity), performing Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), and fasting Ramadan." The third pillar is paying zakat. Simply put, zakat is the giving of money by the wealthy to be distributed to the poor. God also mentioned it in more than one place in the Holy Quran. God Almighty said: “And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship].” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:43)
“And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with God.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:110)
“Your ally is none but God and His Messenger and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give zakah while they bow [in worship].” (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:55) There are many other verses that urge the giving of zakah by those who are obligated to pay it. They must give it to those poor who deserve it.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) also enjoined kindness towards the poor. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The most beloved of people to God Almighty are those who are most beneficial to people, and the most beloved of deeds to God Almighty is bringing joy to a Muslim, relieving him of distress, paying off his debt, or feeding him when he is hungry.”
This is what Muslims should do towards their poor, weak, and distressed brothers and sisters wherever they may be. They should feel their pain, hasten to help them, and rush to their aid to the best of their ability. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed this meaning in many situations and hadiths, including his saying:
“Whoever relieves a believer of a worldly hardship, God will relieve him of a hardship on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes things easy for someone in difficulty, God will make things easy for him in this world and the Hereafter. Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, God will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. God is ever helping His servant as long as the servant is helping his brother.”
Narrated by Muslim, who said: “The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like a single body; if one part of it is afflicted, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” This is but a small part of what I wanted to explain to you about the virtues of Islam in protecting and preserving society and safeguarding the rights of the poor.
Whoever wishes to learn more about Islam should visit reputable Islamic centers to read and hear about true Islam.
Do not look at the conditions of Muslims in their own countries, because most of them do not live Islam in its true form, but only adopt its outward appearance. Therefore, most Muslim countries suffer from problems and backwardness that Islam does not advocate but rather rejects. In short: If you wish to seek Islam, you should read the Quran and the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet and seek out trustworthy Islamic centers.
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