# Practical Suggestions for Community Service

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Badi Shams, Practical Suggestions for Community Service, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Practical Suggestions for Community
> Service
> 
> Badi Shams
> 
> As responsible citizens, we often struggle to balance our time
> among our efforts at spiritual growth, our family life, our work,
> and render a service to the community. No thanks to technological
> advancement with so many gadgets that enable us to multi-task
> more and more, we have been transformed from human beings to
> human doings. Added to that is also the rampant spread of
> materialism that is consuming our spiritual growth and draining
> our energy. How can we have time for one more thing- one more
> social action, one more commitment? Though providing a service
> may sound like one more commitment to fit into our already busy
> lives, in reality, service does not necessarily need to become a big
> project. Any look, gesture, word or action that helps others is an
> act of service.
> 
> To serve humanity is one of the essential duties of the Baha’is.
> They have been asked to devote their time and energy to provide
> a service to make the world better for its citizens.
> 
> “It is incumbent upon every man of insight and
> understanding to strive to translate that which hath been
> written into reality and action…. That one indeed is a man
> who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire
> human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he
> that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and
> kindreds of the earth. In another passage He hath
> proclaimed: It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his
> own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world.
> The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” -
> Baha’u’llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 249.
> 
> “. . . all effort and exertion put forth by man from the
> fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the
> highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This
> is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of
> the people. Service is prayer. A physician ministering to the
> sick, gently, tenderly, free from prejudice and believing in
> the solidarity of the human race, he is giving praise.” -
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 176.
> 
> The concept of service has been part of all societies throughout
> human history and has helped it in its path. Serving others is
> nothing new to the people of all religions:
> 
> “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,
> and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Christianity, Mark
> 10:45.
> 
> “And do not forget to do good to one another.” –Islám, Qu’rán
> 2:238.
> 
> “That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to
> the service of the entire human race.” – Baha’u’llah, Gleanings
> from the Writings of Baha’u’llah, p. 250.
> 
> “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the
> service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
> 
> “Service to humanity is service to God.” -‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The
> Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 8.
> 
> How else can our world become united if, as citizens, we don’t
> try to help each other? How else can the sufferings of the world
> be reduced? The ordinary people of the world like you and me
> will ultimately make a difference and make this earth a better and
> more peaceful place if we take one more extra step to help our
> fellow human beings.
> 
> Serving others has the added benefit of solving one’s problems
> and can give peace and contentment to our souls. It helps us to
> deal with our problems and tests, which can destroy or
> undermine our happiness.
> 
> “Be not the slave of your moods, but their master. But if you
> are so angry, so depressed and so sore that your spirit cannot
> find deliverance and peace even in prayer, then quickly go
> and give some pleasure to someone lowly or sorrowful, or to
> a guilty or innocent sufferer! Sacrifice yourself, your talent,
> your time, your rest to another, to one who has to bear a
> heavier load than you — and your unhappy mood will
> dissolve into a blessed, contented submission to God.” -
> ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West. (This statement is a pilgrim note, it cannot be
> authenticated.)
> 
> Most of us want to do some service but do not know where to
> start. So perhaps it is a good idea to revisit this concept, and with
> the help of the list below, look at the possibilities of service open
> to us. There are countless ways that we can serve, and you can
> explore many other ways to serve your fellow human beings. If
> you approach the opportunity to serve others with a radiant
> 
> countenance and the pure motivation of kindness and love, you’ll
> find that the gifts you give will come back to you a thousandfold.
> 
> Below are some practical suggestions for you to find out if they
> match your passion and expertise:
> 
> ➢ Doing one’s job the best way possible is not only
> excellent service but an act of worship. We are blessed to
> know that doing our job to the best of our abilities is like
> saying prayers.
> 
> ➢ Offer a kind gesture, a kind word, a kind act. A smile
> can sometimes convey more than many words. It does not
> cost anything, and yet it is a fantastic way of creating a
> loving atmosphere.
> 
> ➢ Random acts of kindness, e.g. paying for someone’s
> coffee, paying for someone in front of you in line, giving
> your place in line for someone in a rush, presenting a
> stranger with flowers, mowing the neighbour’s lawn. Your
> imagination is the limit.
> 
> ➢ Paying for the education of poor children. Baha’u’llah
> has instructed us to educate the children and has stated that
> those who help educate a child are as if they have educated
> His children.
> 
> ➢ Paying for medicine. The cost of medication is
> increasing, and at the same time, the rate of poverty is
> rising, which leaves millions of sick people who cannot
> pay for their medicine. This is an opportunity to help the
> poor.
> 
> ➢ Visiting in senior facilities. Not many realize how lonely
> some of the old people are. Some have lost their family
> members or children, or families neglect to visit them. A
> short visit makes a significant difference in the quality of
> their lives.
> 
> ➢ Visiting the sick in hospitals. Experiencing pain and
> being confined to a hospital bed often leads to frustration
> and discouraging thoughts. A visit is a great diversion and
> helps to uplift their souls and aids in their healing.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering to serve residents in group homes. Having
> had the opportunity to work in a group home for people
> with disabilities, I have learned that it is not just a kind act.
> Still, rather it is an acknowledgement of acceptance, and
> that helps them in their integration into society.
> 
> ➢ Driving people to appointments. When people are sick,
> they are overwhelmed by their difficulties and their
> attempts to look after themselves. They may, therefore, be
> unable to drive themselves safely. Driving them to
> appointments keeps them safe and makes them feel cared
> for, which helps the healing process.
> 
> ➢ Shopping for your neighbours in need. Every person
> will go through some problems such as sickness or an
> accident. Being there in a time of need and helping with
> some of the chores will make them feel appreciated and
> loved.
> 
> ➢ Cleaning homes of people who cannot do it themselves.
> This reminds me of stories of great souls who did that and
> cared for the sick.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering in women’s centres. These centres provide
> help and support to the victims of domestic violence and
> other issues, and there may be volunteer opportunities to
> assist in that work.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering for the Red Cross/ Red Crescent. This
> organization provides a variety of services, one of which
> is collecting blood, and for that, they need volunteers to
> donate blood and also to care for those donating.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering in treatment facilities and similar
> organizations. These centres are very specialized, and
> training may be needed to help out, but there is always a
> need for caring helpers in this field.
> 
> ➢ Cleaning roads and highways or cleaning garbage in
> your neighbourhood or on trails. Many religious and
> other organizations have adopted this activity, but there is
> always a need to clean up our environment.
> 
> ➢ Teaching: Dance / Music / Painting / any other forms
> of the arts. These activities create a passion in life. To be
> 
> able to teach these arts is like opening the door to a new
> life.
> 
> ➢ Coaching sports. Like teaching art, sport is a passionate
> endeavour. It is also is a bridge that can bring people
> together.
> 
> ➢ Picking fruit. There is a lot of fruit in many places, and
> people do not have the time or the energy to pick it, so it
> goes to waste even though there are hungry people. By
> picking it and donating it to food banks or other charitable
> organizations, one can feed the poor.
> 
> ➢ Calling or visiting those in need or offering
> companionship to lonely people Tragedy strikes all of us,
> and when that happens, a visit or a simple phone call can
> make the difference for those who are feeling sad.
> Loneliness can cause depression, and visiting or calling
> may interrupt this process.
> 
> ➢ Connecting with Baha’is outside of meetings. Our
> relationship with Baha’i friends may be limited just to our
> meetings. Being in touch with Baha’is outside of the
> meetings either in their homes or out in the community,
> creates closeness of hearts.
> 
> ➢ Offering services to literacy agencies. Every town or city
> has an organization that provides educational services to
> newcomers to the country and those who require tutoring
> in reading, writing and computer literacy. They rely
> heavily on volunteers.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering at homeless shelters and halfway houses.
> The number of homeless people is on the rise. Besides
> providing shelter, there are other needs to be met, and
> every little contribution helps.
> 
> ➢ Manning school crossings. By helping in this way,
> children and their parents will feel safe.
> 
> ➢ Teaching yoga /Tai Chi/ martial arts/ any other
> exercise classes/coaching sports. This is another way of
> helping.
> 
> ➢ Self-help classes. Dealing with our personal and
> emotional issues is very important for our spiritual
> 
> development. Teaching these classes empowers others to
> have a sense of control in their lives.
> 
> ➢ Teaching product-making classes like soap or candle-
> making. In some underdeveloped countries, these skills
> are the only way people can make a living. In the absence
> of banks from which to borrow money or government
> institutions to help, this knowledge provides skills and
> empowers the poor.
> 
> ➢ Teaching gardening, farming classes. Gardening is a
> therapeutic activity. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá loved it. It creates a
> sense of achievement, and the added benefit can be fresh
> and organic food that enhances our health.
> 
> ➢ Teaching woodwork classes. This skill can change lives
> by empowering people to build and repair.
> 
> ➢ Providing classes for jewellery making, beadwork, home
> decoration, food preserving and others. All these enrich
> people’s lives.
> 
> ➢ Providing driving lessons. Being able to drive
> encourages independence and self-reliance for many
> people. For those who cannot afford the cost of driving
> lessons, this service is a great gift.
> 
> ➢ Providing foreign language lessons. For immigrants,
> learning the language of the new country is not a luxury
> but a necessity.
> 
> ➢ Teaching house repairs, appliance repair, car repairs.
> Acquiring these skills can help individuals save a
> considerable amount of money.
> 
> ➢ Teaching computer classes. Computers are the gateway
> to knowledge in this age. Many people do not know how
> to use this miracle of technology, and without it, they can
> feel quite lost. What a bounty to open up this new world to
> them!
> 
> ➢ Helping refugees and newcomers by volunteering with
> the welcome wagon or other like-minded
> organizations. When people come to a new country or a
> 
> new city, they need some orientation. The newcomers
> much appreciate any help in this regard.
> 
> ➢ Teaching adult education. Not every adult is educated. It
> is not easy for adults who were unable to get an education
> in their childhood. To succeed in getting an education
> when they are adults, they need help and encouragement.
> ➢ Picking up medicine, providing food, cooking, cutting
> the grass or doing landscaping for the sick. These are
> other ways we can care for those who are ill or unable to
> do this work for themselves, which creates an opportunity
> for providing a service.
> 
> ➢ Translating written materials or interpreting. Most
> newcomers in the country will take time to learn the
> language, and if they are older, it may take them much
> longer, so they have to rely on people to translate for them.
> 
> ➢ Babysitting. Babysitting for those who cannot afford to
> pay for it and yet desperately need a break at times is
> liberating for those parents so that they have a little time
> with each other and can charge their batteries for facing the
> constant challenges of their lives.
> 
> ➢ Doing taxes. Doing income tax is challenging and
> confusing for most of us, but for those who are new to it is
> an almost impossible job. Many can’t afford to pay
> someone to do it. Doing taxes is one of those gifts that not
> many can give to others, and that makes it very special.
> 
> ➢ Giving financial advice. Sound advice on finances can
> change the direction of one’s life. Not many know to
> manage finances properly. Some people have learned this
> skill and can impart it to those who are badly in need of it.
> 
> ➢ Offering to counsel those who need it. It is such a
> blessing to help someone who is struggling in life with
> mental or emotional, or physical challenges. It is highly
> rewarding.
> 
> ➢ Providing medical services. This, like counselling, is a
> specialized field, but it does not mean that ordinary people
> like you and me cannot volunteer to provide first-aid, for
> example, if we have the training.
> 
> ➢ Providing legal services. Though legal aid is a very
> affordable service, some people do not know how to access
> it. We can be the liaison to connect them.
> 
> ➢ Doing makeup or making the costumes for plays. This
> is a unique service with its own rewards.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering in community gardens. There is always
> some work in these gardens to help people who do not have
> land to grow their vegetables. Young people are always
> welcome to offer their manual services.
> 
> ➢ Connecting with volunteer organizations for
> possibilities. In every town or city, there are many
> varieties of organizations that are trying to provide service
> to people. They rely on volunteers to help them. By
> connecting and consulting with these organizations and
> agencies, we can find many opportunities for service in the
> community that we live in.
> 
> ➢ Volunteering with food programs in schools. Many
> schools have a food programme whose goal is to make sure
> no student goes to class hungry. They depend on the
> donations of stores and the services of volunteers to run
> them.
> 
> ➢ Providing accommodation for the sick and needy. Most
> of the sick people in rural areas have to travel to bigger
> cities to get treatment and naturally have to stay in hotels
> and motels. Besides being expensive, these
> accommodations are not welcoming and do not provide an
> ideal environment for getting healthy. To open our homes
> and heart to help the sick was Abdul’-Baha’s way and His
> wish for us to emulate.
> 
> ➢ Remembering in your prayers and supporting those who
> are going through difficult times. Even if we don’t have
> time to offer a service for our communities, we can always
> rely on the power of prayers that can have more beneficial
> effects than our physical efforts.
>
> — *Practical Suggestions for Community Service (Used by permission of the curator)*