' Charity begins at home 'is a saying everyone has heard but only a few have had the opportunity to witness. In my opinion in the layman's point of view charity is giving alms to the beggar at the streetlight or to the ones who come knocking at your door on festivals or giving your old clothes to servants or even to giving sums of money to a charitable organization.
Have you ever seen people who regard charity as a way of life? Have you seen people who open their homes and hearts to orphans? Have you seen people who give not days or months but years of their life and their families to help the needy?
I had the opportunity to observe such selfless people tonight. And believe me it makes one look puny and selfish. Here were people who sacrifice pleasures and comforts to give others a better life.
So many of us have at various stages have been lectured about the importance of helping those who cant help themselves. Whatever be the religion or faith charity is paramount and that's what makes the faith a humanitarian one. We feel good about ourselves if we help old ladies or give ten rupees to a beggar on the road on a Friday but really what is the big deal about that.
Putting money on the table only goes so far and is only a secondary issue. Something that smoothens the way. It is the personal touch, the effort that does it. An organization run near my house is home to 87 orphans who are taken care of from childhood until they get married. They are educated in whatever field they want ,they are dressed well and fed well. They are well mannered, educated and I noticed even happy. The organization gives zakat to about 1500 people every year. A large amount of grains,sugar,oils etc. The people who run it have no qualms about accepting their extended family.
What are we doing? Nobody needs the money. It is the time. It made me think about what I was doing. How sad that I was living only for myself. Look at those who feel ashamed to live for themselves. How sad to have come in to this world and not to have touched a single life while you were here. How sad to not have shared your bounty with your neighbor. How sad to have never risen above our own existence.
2 comments:
its a pity no doubt...but such are the easy measures adopted to salve our conscience and supress the subliminal guilt of being not so unfortunate!!
The first thing i would like to write is your mails are as ifferent as you. Your point of thinking and imagination is so different and amazing it makes every one who reads it to picture around themselves a potray of what you are trying to say. talking about m i would say that youare doing a great work... and continue wih it... good luck......
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