Activism
Ma’ruf’s model is designed to instill habitual volunteering amongst the Muslim community by providing the model and channels needed to steer activists into the realm of humanitarianism. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those performed continuously, even if they are small.” Ma’ruf recruits only the best, most efficient, and highly skilled organizers to lead its projects, developing the most ideal platforms for channeling in volunteers from the greater community. To date, Ma’ruf is accredited with building a rich portfolio of activism on behalf of the Muslim community, from neighborhood cleanups to food, clothing and book drives–from creating survival kits for the homeless and distributing them, conducting college and corporate tours to instill hope amongst inner-city youth, and building homes for the impoverished, to creating a community reentry program to help rehabilitated individuals develop professionally and find jobs, to helping the elderly prepare for the winter and spring by winterizing their homes, raking their leaves, and helping with gardening. Ma’ruf is in a steady pursuit of bright and energetic volunteers who are committed to Ma’ruf’s motto of putting faith into action. Social Justice
‘O you who believe, stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, your relatives, and whether it be against rich or poor.” (The Holy Qur’an 4:135)
Maruf emphasizes that the purpose and nature of the Islamic faith is to be a source of guidance for humanity—one that is built on justice for all. As representatives of Islam, Muslims are required to help the needy, assist the poor, feed the hungry, embrace the orphans, stand up for the oppressed, give charity, maintain public cleanliness, care for the elderly, visit the sick, educate the uneducated, and speak out for those who cannot help themselves. This is the prophetic model of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that Ma’ruf has embraced as the model for Muslim engagement in society. To better serve those in need, Ma’ruf concentrates its efforts on communities that lack socio-economic resources for competitive development in society—particularly the socially disenfranchised populations void of quality education, jobs, and community development.
