Service to others is not just an Islamic tradition but one found in many faiths and cultures, where the Golden Rule is a common cardinal virtue. Indeed, it was Aristotle, some 2,500 years ago, who asked, “What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.” One may ask today, besides the many injunctions and exhortations in the scriptures, why this notion is emphasized so frequently. Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, in creating the Ismaili Volunteer Corps 100 years ago, told us that “labor for the welfare of others is the best way of improving ourselves because results are sure and certain. If you work for yourselves, you are never happy. This is not a new idea, but this is an outcome of the experience of thousands of years of history.” This sentiment is also echoed in one of the last century’s most important books: Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning.
Service to others has other benefits from kind acts and charity. Harvard’s Robert Putnam examined the notion of social capital and the breakdown of traditional communal bonds and isolation. Among the indicators for this change in the US, he named a reduction by individuals in community organization membership, engagement in public affairs, volunteering, informal social activities, and in norms of social trust. In contrast, our Jamatkhanas offer a place for bonding, and reinforcement of our identity as American Ismaili Muslims, while our faith and institutions encourage us to act on our ethical principles, one of which is serving others. Amongst Ismailis who take advantage of the programs and activities available, there is no shortage of social capital.
Volunteering can be done individually with great impact, as seen in some of the stories in this issue, but having a social network, such as our formal Ismaili Volunteer Corps, provides organization, discipline, and social cohesion for its members. Working together with a common goal and a shared understanding of the tradition of service in the Ismaili tariqah also contributes to personal development, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Author Robert Byrne has written, “The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.” Knowing that one is making a difference in the lives of others is a positive outcome that can be an antidote to the effects of social fragmentation. Retired seniors, in particular, find companionship and a new purpose in life through volunteering, which may have health benefits, such as reducing the risk of depression and feelings of loneliness.
As the global Jamat celebrates this centenary, it is evident that Ismaili volunteers are more than just that; they are indeed volunteer professionals, including those serving in appointed positions, who understand and embrace the significance of their service and perform with humility. They are the anchors of the Jamat who allow our institutions to function efficiently and effectively, and are valued as contributing to the communities in which we live, extending their services beyond our own. Recent examples of the latter include helping those affected by Hurricanes Harvey in Houston and Irma in Florida and include our regular collaboration with cities and organizations in preparing food for those in need, and in environmental initiatives.
The Jamat can be proud of our volunteers’ generosity of time, talent, and commitment to making the lives of others better, and this issue is dedicated to them. As has been said by Sherry Anderson, “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”
