Salaam Sister,
I think that a Muslim Corps would be an amazing idea. I don’t know how to start one but if you have any ideas I’d love to help out

wa `alyakum assalamu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh ya Shaykh!

very good point, and actually interestingly enough the man referenced in the story embodies exactly that if we look at it a little deeper. If I recall correctly, although there was a call for people to join Salah al-Din’s army, many chose not to respond. He was likely voluntarily there, clearly not being isolationist.

Its also important to note he simply recognized the usefulness of chemistry and pursued it. The objective was to pursue a useful talent–not disconnect–and in end he used it to actually engage with those around him more and help solve the problem. A parallel can be draw to someone investing time and money into computers in the 90s because they were on the rise.

Also, we should note that the talent he used was something on the side, not his professional skill. So when considering the following ideas, just because we’re not pro doesn’t mean we can, learn train and benefit.

Some quick examples:

• UMMA Clinic — Medical Students at UCLA who started a free clinic in LA for the uninsured
• Sons of Service — A group of young professional brothers who take care of tasks and projects at the Muslim Community Association in Santa Clara
• InFocus — Southern California Muslim News paper
• Youth Groups around the country
• Islamic Center of Irvine Annual Youth Camp — many jobs these days require organizing and project management, why not use the same skills for our communities

Some other ideas:

• iPod app for your masjid that could have: prayer times, khateeb schedule, podcasts, video streams, updates
• Free Seminars
–car maintenance
–how to write a resume/get a job
–public speaking
–leadership
• Articles for newspapers/blogs/websites
• Project managers or web developers can offer consulting services for free
• Teaching weekend school
• Outings and projects for the community and/or children
• After school programs
• and the list goes on! feel free to add I’m sure I missed a lot

1. Doctors. We have no shortage of Muslim doctors, but so many of them seem interested only in building profitable practices. The Muslim world desperately needs unselfish doctors to go into impoverished and war-torn communities and offer their services.

2. Human Rights. Muslim silence on human rights issues in the Muslim world is deafening. Our governments are the worst torturers, the most corrupt, the least free. We need Muslim voices to speak out against this en masse and start a movement for reform based on progressive Islamic principles.

3. Media. Obviously there is a massive need for Islamic filmmakers, reporters, photographers, and television producers to produce material that can connect to the Muslim youth and inspire them to improve their societies. We also need honest, unbiased news reporting with an Islamic perspective. Al-Jazeerah is not enough.

4. Psychologists, therapists, counselors. We need people with training and clinical expertise who also understand Muslim cultures and issues and can help Muslim families and societies deal with their problems. Right now the choices are either stay silent about whatever problems you may have, or go to a non-Muslim. And of course silence rules.

I could go on and on. Environmental problems in the Muslim world are serious but are largely ignored. Islamic education for youth is either rote memorization or is absent. Animal rights do not exist, and yes even that is an Islamic issue. Hygiene, health, disaster relief, sustainable farming practices, watershed conservation, forest conservation, all of these issues are vital to a society’s health and are lacking in the Mulim world.

We need trained professionals who are willing to spend time and sweat to work on these issues. Actually, I just had an idea. We need a Muslim Corps, kind of like the Peace Corps, where educated and trained men and women would give two or four years of their life to work on these critical issues.

Definitely saving the recogition for Allah alone is much sweeter….

Alhamdulillah

1- No action, no matter how large or small, has value until Allah honors it.
and
2- May Allah `azza wa jal use us to benefit His deen (way of life) and be instruments of positive social change for His sake.

That what we do should be to benefit our societies and that they should be done for Allah, for indeed, if it’s for any other reason, there is no real honor to it …that the real blessing in what we do is when it’s done for His Sake and as a benefit to humanity.

Jazak Allahu kul khayr