A Sense of Responsibility: 

Scott called once again. This time it was about the patient in intensive care unit who he found out was a Muslim. He was on the last leg of his journey and no one to look after him. So Scott called me to inform that the Muslim patient might be cremated after the death if no arrangement is made for his burial. Scott was concerned because he wanted a Muslim patient to be provided all the religious services that are needed at these moments.

Scott is a Christian chaplain in a local hospital and he always ensures that the needs of Muslim patients are always taken care of.  He keeps the copies of the Quran in his office and he always call to inform the kitchen about the special dietary and other needs of a Muslim patient.

What motivate Scott to do something out of his way to help Muslim patient? What inspires him to be so careful about the needs of Muslim patients? It is the sense of responsibility towards fellow human beings regardless of their religious or ethnic background that stirs many souls who go beyond the call of their duty to help others. In the words of God, these people are described ” Muhsineen”, i.e. people who are ready to rise above their ranks to identify with the rest of humanity.

Can we Muslims develop this spirit towards the other in this country and especially in countries where Muslims are in the majority? Can we at least take care of Muslims who are in situations similar to the one described by Scott? There are hundreds of philanthropist Muslims who are willing to help others at times of need especially when it comes to taking care of funeral rites. However, can we develop an institutional approach to ensure that anyone who is helpless and supports less is provided these services with no questions asked? Can we offer free services in these situations to those who have no one to take care of them regardless of their religious affiliations? Can we have that broader understanding of the divine message that the religious traditions of a person would not prevent us from showing our utmost respect to him or her?  Can we ensure that with our resources, a Christian or a Hindu is given the funeral that his religious traditions demand?

Perhaps this is a touchy subject because many in our ranks often ask why should we help a non-Muslims in moments of needs. They suggest that we should only be focused on Muslims. But is this what God Almighty wants from us and is this what our Prophet practiced?

Certainly, Allah described Himself the sustainer of the worlds, introduced his last messenger the mercy to worlds and identified His book as a reminder to worlds. Nowhere does the Quran tells us to neglect our responsibilities towards others.  On the contrary, it tells us to be the first one to rush to the help of others. What an irony that a people who are advised by their creator to dedicate them to the service of humanity are still struggling with the idea of helping their own folks in a systematic and organized manner.

AA