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A numbness came over me when I was chosen by my professors to skip over all
the emotional distress to explore the other side of my community. When I say emotional distress, I really do mean "emotional distress." You see, I come from a rich family that lives in a distinguished community; at least, this is what others say. But this does not mean by any way that I am happy or satisfied. My parents are so reluctant in fulfilling the requests of my siblings and me to the extent that I may ask for only one minor thing within the period of one week.
* * *
It was only last week that my sister Soha had a very harsh dialogue with my father, and it went as follows:
Father: At least say as-salamu `alaykum.
Soha: As-salamu `alaykum.
Father: Now why are you looking so cross?
Soha: I have been enduring a lot in this house. I asked to change my car to this year's model, and I asked you a thousand times to get me a new bedroom. I have been sleeping on the same bed for over a year, I think I'll have to throw it out of the window to gain your sympathy.
Father: OK dear, calm down. I'll do whatever you like, just give me a smile on your pretty face.
To tell you the truth, I was on my sister's side and I could feel her pain; but my mind was on my research on a very poor area. When I asked. "why me?" the answer was that the area is close to where I live. This was difficult for me to accept, because there is no such area near me.
* * *
With the address in my hand, I asked the porter of our house where to find this place. To my astonishment, he said it was just across the bridge and that it would only take me five minutes via a side road.
"So near!" I said to myself. "Anyway, I have my camera, I'll take a few shots and then I'll do the writing at home."
* * *
As there was no way for a car to pass through, I walked on foot through the narrow, muddy streets. "Here goes my US$150 shoes," I whispered to myself. The road I was on was getting narrower and the smell was terrible — where did all the air go? The garbage was more than the people themselves, with half-naked children everywhere. I thought,
"Next time I will get some clothes for these children, and maybe my brother and sister could too. I will ask the porter to do it, because there won't be a second time for me around here."
"But why aren't these children at school? It is still morning!"
I gathered my courage and approached one of the kids.
"Good morning, sweetie. Why aren't you at school?" The boy looked at me as if I was from another planet.
"What school? You must be joking me! My mother and my little brother haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning. Go away and leave me alone," he said angrily.
"Next time I will send plenty of food with the porter. We throw a lot away everyday," I said to myself.
* * *
Going further down the road of misery, I ran into another tragedy. "Why are you crying?" I said to a middle-aged man.
"My wife is very sick," he answered with a bad look.
"Why don't you take her to the doctor, sorry, maybe the public hospital?" I inquired.
"Even the public hospital needs money and I can't afford buying medicine. Leave me alone, young lady with the fancy dress," he replied.
I am at a loss. We do throw away medicine even after taking just two pills. We even have free medical samples. How come we get free sample while they have nothing?
* * *
With my hands on both sides of my head, I was feeling confused, but now I understand this look in their eyes. I looked around me, totally helpless. People are living in nests. I thought nests were for birds — at least they fit. As for me, I look totally ruined. My fancy dress isn't fancy anymore, but dirty. I am the one crying now. Oh Allah, what can I do to help these people?
A teenager came out from nowhere. I tried to give him some money as I thought he was asking for charity.
"No lady, I don't want your money — it is not yours anyway! Allah gave it to you to spend it in the right way. Give us OUR RIGHT. You people don't follow His orders, and that's why we are poor. We are smart and talented. We just need a fair chance in life. We can do miracles if you and your people allow us. Allah is fair lady, but people aren't."
His wise words were clear and simple. It explained everything to me without the long eloquent speeches.
There will be many times spent here for me; not the porter, but me. I will go to all my neighbors to collect things they do not need. Our rich streets can feed all of this area. A little project and maybe a school can be set here — this is no problem for my uncle.
* * *
I found my car, but not with the same face or the same heart with which I left it. I headed straight to my professor, the one who sent me to that area. He met me with a knowing smile.
"Thank you," I said. "I now know why you sent me. I have many ideas, for there must be hundreds of places like that. We can make small projects for these people where they can earn their living, a small clinic where we can provide medicine, and a school for those children so they can have a better future. What do you think?"
"I think that my little spoiled student is becoming mature at last," replied my professor with a smile on his face.
He continued, "He who does not have mercy upon people, Allah's mercy will be kept from him. Those upon whom Allah bestowed His grace and who see their Muslim brethren hungry, in need of clothes, or miserable, and still do not help them, will indeed deprive themselves of Allah's mercy. Islam calls upon people to spend freely in ways that please the heart of the donor and evoke generosity, goodness, reverence, and obedience to Allah, who says in the Qur'an, [And spend out of what He has made you to be successors of; for those of you who believe and spend shall have a great reward] (Al-Hadid 57:7).
But when we avoid people and deprive them of their rights in the money that Allah gave to us as a trial, poverty increases."
* * *
Spending in the way of Allah is a tool that plays a wonderful role in society. It satisfies the needs of the poor and strengthens a mutual bond between the rich and the poor. Zakah, is not the only means to maintain social solidarity and cooperation among Muslims. Islam warns us against satiating our appetites while a neighbor goes hungry, and those I spoke of are your neighbors.
* * *
After a year had passed, an association of family members and neighbors began to build a clinic, a workshop, and a school to help their poor neighbors.
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