Sustainable Community Development in

Islam: Policies and Practices

• One of the commonest explanations of community development is the one
provided by United Nations as ―the process where community
members come together to take collective actions and generate
solutions to common  problems”
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• Community development is a grassroots process through which
communities become more responsible by organizing and planning their
development strategies together, developing healthy lifestyle options,
empowering themselves, reducing their poverty rate and suffering,
creating employment opportunities and achieving social, cultural,
environmental and economic goal. Community development is a well-
planned long term endeavour, that is inclusive and equitable, holistic and
integrated, and initiated and supported by community members for the
benefit of the community
 1. Community Development in Islam
• Islam has inherent principles and practices that fosters the attainment of
community development in a sustainable way. In the Holy Qur‘an, Allah
emphasizes on community building through so many ways. For instance,
when He wants to talk to the individuals He does not talk to individuals
one by one. But as a plural, in group, as community, a society, mankind or
humanity by mentioning ―Al -Naas‖,
meaning people or mankind. This (―Alnaas) appeared over 200times in
the glorious Qur‘an.
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• in some cases, He mentions ―Al insaan‖, meaning human beings. Though
this only appeared fewer than 80 times in the glorious Qur‘an, but it also
depicts group consciousness. Similarly, Allah regard His followers as
―Oh those who Believe‖ or ―Oh those who have faith‖, not ―Oh one
who Believe‖.
 2. An institutions and instruments for
community development in Islam
• The institution of Zakat
• Charity (Sadaqa h).
• Waqfi.
• Ransome (kaffarah).
• One-fifth of war booty (khums al-ghana‘im)
• Discovered ancient treasure
• Mosques
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• Schools
• Hospital
• Hostels for the homeless and poor ones
• Free food serving restaurants for the needy
• Clean water on roads (e.g. wells and water canals)
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• Foundations for roads and bridges maintenance
• Foundations for the deceased persons‘ dress
• (alkafn), care for the orphans, old persons, inmates
• Foundations for marrying the youths, poor bachelors who cannot afford to
marry
• Community libraries
 3. Volunteerism as Mechanism of Sustainable
Community Development in Islam
• Volunteerism is about commitment of time and energy for the benefit of
the society undertaken freely by choice, without concern for financial
gain.
• They offer themselves for service provision to their communities,
especially to the poor, and needy through welfare packages.
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• In Islamic context, volunteerism is about offering one's effort, skill, time,
energy and knowledge for the sake of Allah‘s pleasure; while promoting
goodness in communities, without wealth earning, recognition or fame 
 4. Principles of Muslims volunteering

• Principles Muslims should abide by when volunteering as follows:

• Volunteers are to avoid discrimination while doingcommunity service
• Volunteers must not brag about giving their time, effort, energy,
knowledge and memory when doing it fisabilillah (in the way of Allah)
• Volunteers should not accuse the employees that they are receiving money
from the general budget of the community, while they (volunteers) are
doing it for free
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• No volunteer should accept a job or title for the sake of show, or else it
will become hypocrisy.
• A volunteer should accept a title or job only when they are qualified for it.
• No volunteer should accept a title, while knowing they have no time for
such a job
 5. volunteers qualities
• They forgive the faults of others
• They spend their wealth for the welfare of humankind
• They strive against evil in the way of Allah
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• They are generous
• They are humble
• They are righteous, have taqwa (they fear Allah by doing what He
commands and abstain from doing what He forbids), and are patient
• They establish salat  and pay Zakat