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Recently, I was shocked to read that 400 thousand homeless people are not cared for in the French capital. What saddens me even more is that this number surely includes people of different ages. Those people are currently taking refuge in metro stations and mosques in Paris.
To be realistic, France is not the only country facing this sad phenomenon; there are many rich capitals facing the same chronic problem. If this is the case in rich countries, then it is more catastrophic in poverty-stricken areas in South Africa, Egypt, Sri Lanka and many others.
I myself know of homeless people in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo. What adds more fuel to the fire is that this heart-rending scene was just a few meters away from the most luxurious hotel in the capital, Galadari Hotel. At that time, my heart pulsated when thinking of the punishment the negligent well-off will receive as a result of ignoring the plight of the poor and the wretched. The following Qur’anic verses crept into my mind,
[But he hath not attempted the Ascent. Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! (It is) to free a slave, and to feed in the day of hunger an orphan near of kin or some poor wretch in misery. And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity.] (Al-Balad 90: 11-16)
These Qur’anic verses call upon us all to rescue ourselves from punishment in the Hereafter as well as to strive to attain the highest ascent in Paradise by feeding in a day of hunger, gently touching an orphan’s head, and alleviating the suffering of any human being. Allah addressed the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying,
[We sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.] (Taha: 21: 107)
These and many other religious texts urge us to share the sadness and affliction of our brothers and sisters in humanity, before we share their joy. Once a Jew passed by `Umar, the second Caliph, and he asked for charity saying that he was so old to earn his living and that he was also blind. To this tragic scene, `Umar’s heart was moved and he accompanied the man to his house and gave him charity from his own money, and after that he ordered the people responsible for bayt al-mal (Muslims’ charity house) to give that man charity on a regular basis saying:
“Take care of this man and those similar to him. By Allah we have done little for him. We have devoured his youthfulness in his prime, and now we are leaving him begging in public!”
Let us share and encourage each other to alleviate our social suffering. It is not required that you give a relatively large amount or spend a lot of time to solve the problem. One Euro is enough. A few cents are enough. A few minutes to share the suffering of a passerby is enough. Sheltering a homeless child in your apartment, even for a single night is enough. Don’t belittle your efforts. When we join our hands together, and when we get rid of our stinginess, and when we become victorious over our inner selfishness, we will attain inner tranquility.
Once, the well-known lilterary man, ar-Rafi`ie said, “If people show mercy towards each other, you will never see a hungry man among them, nor will you see a half-naked man begging in public. To the contrary, you will notice mercy snatching out wretchedness in the society in the same way you notice daylight snatching away darkness.”
Finally, the issue is not an individual responsibility rather it is a collective one. All concerned authorities should rise to the situation. Everyone should try his best according to his position and capability. Let us raise this slogan or at least try to apply it even gradually:
No relaxation or rest until the social status of our wretched brothers and sisters moves from worse to good, from good to better, and from better to the best.
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