specifics
How specifics help?
Why and when should we publicize our deeds?
Many of us, for various reasons, are "trained" or "conditioned" not to reveal our experiences, achievements etc. I’ve encountered people, who write (or talk) critically about an organization / Club / group, but don’t reveal the reasons or drop the names. After some persuasion, they tell their experiences and logic. Probably they are trying to be modest, but it doesn’t help the listeners.
At the same time, we also see some excess (obscene) revelations, like writing the names of donors on the fans and tube lights/fixtures in Masajids. Another horrible display happens in Ramadhan. "Stand in front of my house. I will give each beggar 5 rupees. This is my Zakaath". This is a demeaning publicity, and against the norms of humanity and Islam.
[O Prophet,] tell My servants/devotees who have believed, to establish Salah (regular five times daily prayers) and spend in charity, openly and secretly, out of the sustenance which We have given them, before the coming of that Day in which there will neither be trading nor any friendship. {Al-Qur'an 14:31}
There is a difference between publicizing private deeds (donating to a family) and public deeds (Dawah, outreach). Shared knowledge helps the community.
When we talk/write on a topic or incident, I think we should give out our experiences and encounters on that topic. This will
- Help the listeners/readers to understand the context, and
- Add legitimacy/authenticity to what we say
- Motivate them to replicate the good things
Example 1:
An Imam is asking us to do Dawah. He talks at length on the importance, benefits, history, the sin of not doing it, etc of Dawah, and, but no action items. What is the end result? NOTHING.
Suppose that another Imam, who is an active Da’yee (Caller), tells a few verses of Qur’an and Hadeeths, and narrates his experience and techniques of Dawah. He also tells the areas (in the city) and the kinds of people who live there. Now, there’s a chance that people can implement his preaching.
Example 2:
An Imam of the Masjid quotes Quran and Hadeeths, and is asking us to donate for the extension of the Masjid. How much would we contribute?
Suppose that he says his salary is 5000, and that he is willing to donate 500 every month, for the next 10 months? That is, 500 x 10. Now, how much would we contribute? If I have at least some taste of Eeman (Faith), I will feel ashamed if my salary is 10,000 and wanted to contribute only 500. I’ll feel compelled at least to make that 500 for 10 months (500 x 10). (Fund raisinig is another area where we can improve)
Please do not hesitate to share your experiences, contributions or achievements if they will help the larger community. Your rewards from Almighty will get multiplied. At the same time, we try to make sure pride (kibr) doesn't enter our heart. I say "try", because it's impossible for us to stop that. BUT, Shaytan (Satan) will definitely whisper to us "See, you will become proud when you tell others. So, Don't tell". What he really likes is this: Very few people to do good, and he doesn't want you to get the reward of motivating others. So, go ahead, my dear brother / sister.