Be a force for good [5:2]

Loving and Living the Quran

Sura Maidah verse two says: O, You who believe . . . help one another in goodness and piety. [5:2]

Cooperating with others in goodness is one of the basic principles for a society build on spiritual and ethical values. When people of faith work together, they motivate and provide encouragement and enthusiasm for each other. The energies of the universe synchronize to further a cause which is thus initiated.

Why?

1. The law of synergy: All of us have different and complementary talents. When we cooperate and work together as a team, we create synergy, which is an interaction of multiple elements to produce a result greater than the sum of their individual effects.

To put it simply, when two people combine different talents to cooperate on a worthy project, their efforts produce the equivalent not of four people but rather the work of twenty two or more. This is simply the scientific law of synergy which is apparent in the world of nature [such as the flight of geese].

Every act of goodness, no matter how small, contributes to creating positive change in the world. Whether it's advocating for social justice, protecting the environment, or uplifting marginalized groups, cooperating with others in pursuing common goals adds up and amplifies and compounds the impact of our efforts.

2. When believers cooperate in goodness, they also attract the help and blessings of Allah [swt]. The Holy Prophet [saw] has said: People will continue to be blessed so long as they invite each towards good, discourage each other from evil, and cooperate in goodness and piety. (Tahdhībul AHkām, 6:181)

3. Being part of a group is fulfilling and validating to the human spirit. We are encouraged and inspired when we see people working towards something positive and we are motivated to put in a little bit more effort ourselves. Working towards worthy goals strengthens the bonds within communities. When people come together to support each other, whether it's through volunteering, charity work, or simply offering a helping hand, it builds trust, solidarity and a sense of belonging and a supportive network. By cooperating with each other in acts of goodness, we can inspire a culture of empathy, compassion, and altruism that spreads far beyond our immediate circles.

How: Sometimes we want to go it alone, either because we find it difficult to work with others, or because we want the limelight of good actions on ourself. Or we may have become habituated to become critical of what others are doing.

At times like this, let us remind ourselves of this verse. Here are just some ways we help each other towards piety and goodness:

By collaborating on Community Projects: Working together on community projects such as clean-up initiatives, food drives, or educational programs allows us to combine resources and expertise for maximum impact.

Supporting Each Other's Initiatives: By lending support to each other's charitable endeavors, volunteering efforts, or advocacy campaigns, through money, effort or simply sharing with others, we amplify the reach and effectiveness of our actions.

Sharing Skills and Resources: Sharing skills, knowledge, and resources such as professional expertise, providing financial support, or sharing relevant information, collaboration enhances our collective ability to enact positive change.

Building Alliances with Like-minded Groups: Forming alliances with like-minded individuals and organizations allows us to pool our strengths and work towards common goals. By joining forces, we can tackle larger-scale issues and advocate for systemic change.

Promoting a Culture of Cooperation and Solidarity: Encouraging cooperation and solidarity within our communities fosters a culture where individuals are motivated to support each other in acts of goodness. By promoting empathy, understanding, and inclusivity, we create an environment where cooperation thrives, and collective action becomes commonplace

So let us

1. Look around and see what good is already happening. Let us ask ourselves how we can help. What skills, talents and resources do we have that might be of use here? And then reach out and ask how we can support these initiatives from those that are on the ground doing the work.

2. Offer our skills, resources and connections to others who may be struggling to get a project started or funded.

3. Share our ideas with others and request help and support in starting projects of our own.

There is something uniquely satisfying in cooperating in good actions and becoming part of a force for goodness.