[cigsstorenick]

brother. I think you are proposing something beyond individual volunteer efforts here, correct? I don't mean to hijack your post but my opinion on community volunteerism is (and I've been itching to voice this a number of times in other posts but this is a more appropriate context): organized efforts in certain areas are either lacking or ineffective. The example I am specifically thinking about is the situation of family/spousal abuse and neglect. In an ideal world, in that time when the ummah will approximate perfection, insha'Allah Muslim families will fare better. At this time, many families are suffering and struggling. While learning new skills and increasing the family's earning capacity are important too (I recall reading somewhere about the link between financial stress and family problems), I think the two efforts should be launched simultaneously - Insha'Allah. At least in 'the west,' and at least in the context of the communities I've encountered, I feel we really need to acknowledge the problems and step up efforts at finding Islamically sound yet context specific solutions to these problems. Insha'Allah, strong/healthy families will form a strong/healthy ummah.

JazakAllah

You are correct.. I mean to develop all sectors of life.. Since I am much into business and use it as a tool to uplift brothers and sisters, you see a lot of my posts related to employment and career. But I don't mean to talk only about these things.

We really need to educate people about family matters too which is very important. Because a family can be happy and thank Allah even if their economy is low and had good relations between them. And I also believe the more money people get, the more lavish they become. When I speak of earning, I only mean reasonable income for oneself and remaining can be distributed to others.

On one facebook group "Be a man, Not a Beggar to ask Dowry" I posted this

Asslamua'laikum

Good page.. I don't want to brag, but want to share something about my marriage.

I am an Electrical Engineer worked for 3 years as Team Lead in an MNC and then also did my MBA from Marketing. The following companies were developed by me www.botqhomeneeds.com, www.sendtomyplace.com and www.improvmanagement.com which are private limited companies.

Alhamdulillah in my marriage, I hardly spent 75,000 rupees. And we didn't take even a single rupee in any form. My father told to brides parents, that even if you send items on your will we wont accept and they would be sent straight away because we only will buy what ever required for marriage (only one new bed was brought). Though the brides parents were given flexibility in giving clothes and jewelry to their daughter. Hence apart from a medium sized suitcase, my wife didnt bring anything from her home.

My nikah was in masjid, where only one kind of ice cream was served and I wore just a kurta pyjama. I was busy at office and couldn't buy new chappals, so I wore the same one which I used to wear daily. The new topi which my mother brought for marriage was smaller (which I saw at the last moment), so I wore the same old one.

After nikah everyone went to their own homes. At about 10 PM, only 5-7 ladies went to bride house and brought the bride to our house.

The walima was at our house where only 200 people attended. We did valima in our house only. The items were Mutton Biryani, Chicken 65 and Kaddu ki kheer.

And we didn't print cards or anything. We just invited all people on mobile phones and alhamdulillah all of them came.

I wish each and every muslim brother does marriage like I did. Our life is very joyous and alhamdulillah we also have a lovely daughter now.

Please stop israaf in marriages and lead a simple life. I too have good money to spend lavishly, but I prefer spening it on poor and needy people rather than wasting it on unnecessary things.

Please remember me in dua's