One Body: Islam’s Blueprint for Strong Communities

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, gave one of the most powerful images of community ever described: “The believers, in their mutual love, mercy and compassion, are like one body. When one part aches, the whole body responds with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6011, Sahih Muslim 2586)

A healthy body does not leave any part behind. That is the standard Islam sets for a Muslim community, and it is the standard Aman Islamic Trust works towards in Wellington.

The mosque was always more than a prayer hall

When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, two of his first acts were to build a mosque and to join the migrants from Makkah with the local Ansar in bonds of brotherhood. The mosque became the centre of everything: prayer, learning, welfare, welcoming visitors and settling disputes. Community development in Islam has always started with a shared home.

Five principles for building community

1. Cooperate in what is good. “Help one another in righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression.” (Quran 5:2)
2. Celebrate difference. “O mankind, We created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another.” (Quran 49:13) Wellington’s Muslims come from many countries and cultures; that diversity is a strength.
3. Lift up the vulnerable. Zakat and Sadaqah exist so that no one in the community is invisible: the newcomer, the widow, the student far from home.
4. Be the best of neighbours. The Prophet said that Jibril kept advising him about the neighbour until he thought the neighbour would be made an heir. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6014, Sahih Muslim 2624)
5. Contribute to the wider society. Muslims are part of Aotearoa New Zealand, and serving the whole community is part of serving Allah.

What community development looks like at Aman

• Gathering: the five daily prayers, Jumu’ah, Tarawih in Ramadan and Eid prayers
• Welcoming newcomers: supporting the settlement of Muslim families arriving in Greater Wellington
• Care in hard times: funeral support, Janazah prayers and spiritual counselling for families
• Bridges: information sessions for schools and the public, and cooperation with government agencies, voluntary organisations and other cultural groups
• A voice for the voiceless: standing up for community members who are not heard

How you can strengthen the body

1. Come to one prayer or programme you do not usually attend.
2. Welcome someone new and learn their name.
3. Volunteer an hour a month: setting up, teaching, driving or mentoring.
4. Give regularly, even a small amount. The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if small. (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464, Sahih Muslim 783)
5. Share our work with Muslims outside Wellington who want to support community building here.

Every community needs a home

For six years, Aman Islamic Trust has done all of this from rented space. We are now planning to buy a permanent centre so this community can keep growing, but we do not yet have the funds. Support from donors around the world would be deeply appreciated. Read the permanent home appeal and see how young people fit into this picture in Raising Confident Muslim Youth.

Donate to the building fund