Project Soam

2010

What is Soam?

The word Soam or its usual transliteration into English as Sawm is a word widely used in the Qur’an in its form AlSiyaam الصيام meaning “abstinence, self restraint, stopping, preventing  and abandonment”.  The most interesting aspect of this word is how it has been used throughout the Quran in different contexts.  Here at the DRC through our research we have attempted to revive many of the neglected and misunderstood potentials of the Qur’an which became lost by history or distorted by interpretation.

One of the most noteworthy examples of this is in our explanation of the Qur’anic term Hajj meaning “to dispute or determination of a cause”, which we have been able to show that the goal of Hajj as used in the Qur’an is for it to be a global summit and conference for mankind rather than its traditional religious function. Similarly, through my research of how the Qur’an has used the word Soam, I have come to the conclusion that it has a much wider and productive implication than what it holds today in its traditional interpretation. 

Historically the concept of Soam in the Arabic and Semitic context amongst Jews and early Christian communities was usually viewed as fasting and withdrawal from all worldly life.  In fact, this term is still viewed today amongst Jews in religious functions such as the Yom Kippur and during Lent by some Eastern Orthodox Christian sects. While, the Qur’an affirms the fact that it has prescribed Soam just as it was prescribed and practiced before by earlier Anbia and Messengers, rather than replicating the belief of how people viewed the term in its setting it rather tried to revive the idea behind the concept by placing it in various contexts. 

 يأيها الذين امنوا كتب عليكم الصيام كما كتب علي الذين من قبلكم لعلكم تتقون

2:183- O You who have chosen to take responsibility to uphold peace and security in the creation! Abstinence(AlSiyaam الصيام) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you become mindful of benefiting the creation and living upright(تتقون = from Taqwa= traveling through a thorny path without becoming entangled=mindful of the principles of the Developing force of Universe in the creation=journeying in security and balance=awareness and observance=avoiding overstepping boundaries in actions and surroundings=living upright through good deeds and conduct that benefits others and the creation.الذين امنوا= From those who choose Amina= trust to maintain peace and security in surroundings)

As shown by the above verse and the verses that follow that defines the concept of Soam, one finds that its purpose is as a means for societal security and development rather than a means of abstinence from certain actions as a form of ritual.  

Additionally as verse 2:185 states when the majority of the society performs Soam as a program, they in fact establish the supremacy of God on earth. The reason for this is due to the fact that when Soam is done as a program all individuals are working tirelessly to carry out the plan of developing force of the Universe.

The Qur’an uses the term ‘Aakifoon عاكفون   for those who perform Soam as an indication that they are on I’tikaaf =special affairs, tasks, assignments and projects that are deputed(2:187). This further shows that the goal of Soam is to not only inculcate the awareness of others needs but also to find ways to provide for the needs of development and security of individuals in the society through projects and causes.  

While it has been traditionally believed by many religions that self denial of one’s basic needs and rituals brings both individual and  societal development this belief however is not supported by the Qur’an. Rituals can provide inner peace and social purpose, but discipline in human beings can only be inculcated in their daily lives when individuals work concertedly with their efforts to implement the goal of what they hope to accomplish.

The Qur’an expects individuals to be personally responsible for their own individual vices; therefore it has not set any specific method or ritual to perform for this issue other than the individual controlling the vices at all times.  Although, self denial of individual needs or vices can make one stronger in withstanding the duration of time that an individual can go without that particular need, it however does not translate into the strength of abstaining or desire of taking responsibility of other needs and actions, thus proving the action purposeless in this sense.

The philosophy in which the Qur’an promotes holds that development of both the societies and individual self comes through actions that promote the service and benefit of the creation.  

For it is in the experience of human life of fortunate individuals that there are many joys,comforts and pleasures provided by ones own hard work and security of the society (7:31).  Hence, the logic of concept of Soam is for individuals to abandon their own actions of personal interest and time in order to dedicate themselves to a duty or cause which helps others around them who are in need of it and thereby gain the full results in doing so.  Mankind must be aware of the needs and limits of resources  given to people in the society. Factors such as these if neglected hold parts of societies back from progressing and could potentially have detrimental results.

Furthermore, even more interesting with the use of Soam in the Qur’an is how it has been used as a means for repentance(Taubah=replacing good deeds that benefits others to wipe out effects of bad deeds) for crimes and compensation for situations for people who do not have the means to afford a cause.

Thus, additionally from my research I have found that the Qur’an was one of the first law systems to make reconciliatory reform actions through humanitarian aid, community service and societal development  as a major part of its criminal justice system, a factor which unfortunately has been neglected in modern times by many legal systems in the Muslim World.

On the other hand, here in the West after a long process of trial and error this concept has been able to take great precedence in our legal system. This is in fact part of the system that Qur’an wants mankind to establish to gain success in our societies as shown by the following verses.

 واقم الصلاة طرفي النهار وزلفا من الليل ان الحسنات يذهبن السيئات ذلك ذكري للذاكرين

11:114 - Strive to establish and consolidate the actions that promote balance, development and security, day and night. Actions that create balance in the society and benefit others remove the harmful effects of enervating deeds. This is a reminder for those who are aware of their duties. (Alhassanat  الحسنات =Good deeds that help other human beings=good deeds that produce beneficial results in environment and society.)

 واصبر فان الله لا يضيع اجر المحسنين

11:115 - Be steadfast in service in your duties and affairs. For verily, God never fails to reward the efforts of those who benefit humanity.

When Soam is viewed in this light it becomes clear as to why throughout the book the Qur’an equates the concept with either charity or relieving individuals from oppression, bondage or situations of economic hardship through financial means.(4:92,2:196,2:184,5:89,5:95,58:4).

 Modern scholars of economics have referred to this philosophy as part of a gift economy, in which simultaneous and frequent giving and service  functions to redistribute valuable goods and needs within the society.  In general, Soam has simply been used as sacrificing ones self-interests and daily schedule to help others who are in need.  Hence, the concept of Soam has been given a much wider implication in the Qur'an that is both universal and secular that can be used in modern times in various ways.

Objective of Project Soam

Project Soam 2010 will be a collaborative societal project founded in the Dallas, TX U.S.A to promote social awareness, solidarity, development and co-existence amongst humanity.

Humanity’s Global Crisis

      From global poverty to environmental issues and degradation of communities and nations worldwide the beginnings of the new millennium have presented humanity with challenges on a scale never seen before.

            The prevalence of these trends has shown that we now exist in a pivotal time in our history that could potentially determine the direction of the future state of mankind. Major issues facing mankind today:

 The Realities of Global Poverty 

Extreme Poverty is defined by the failure to meet basic needs such as  food, water, shelter, sanitation, and health care.

The World Bank estimates that 1.4 billion people

currently live under these conditions.

"The lack of basic security connotes the absence of one or more factors enabling individuals and families to assume basic responsibilities and to enjoy fundamental rights. The situation may become widespread and result in more serious and permanent consequences. The lack of basic security leads to chronic poverty when it simultaneously affects several aspects of people’s lives, when it is prolonged and when it severely compromises people’s chances of regaining their rights and of reassuming their responsibilities in the foreseeable future” – (Joseph Wresinski -ATD Fourth World)

Need for Environmental Conservation and Societal Development Efforts

In the poorest regions of the world an estimated one in five children will not live to see their fifth birthday, primarily because of environment-related diseases.

If vast improvements are made in human health, millions of people will be living longer, healthier lives than ever before.

Eleven million children die worldwide annually, equal to the combined populations of Norway and Switzerland, and mostly due to malaria, acute respiratory infections or diarrhea— illnesses that are largely preventable.

Need for Relief Efforts

Most notably, the recent tragedy in Haiti, has displayed a sign that much of the world has never seen before. For the first time humanity has witnessed solidarity, coexistence, and promotion of social awareness amongst all nations and peoples to respond quickly and willingly to the dire needs of human beings and the society around them. For some the tragedy in Haiti, exposed them for the first time to realities of poverty, human suffering and societal degradation. Moreover, what is unknown by some of these people is that these issues exist in many nations and communities around the world.  

Question Arises

Thus, this calls one to wonder if we as international communities are able to unify to respond so quickly and willingly to a humanitarian and global cause why can’t other ones around the world be met with the same amount of awareness and effort.  If there are so many other social issues around the world that should be brought forth why are they not addressed?

Additionally, if there are so many vital causes why can’t we dedicate our time, effort and knowledge to solve them? These are all important questions asked by many people around the world that have recognized the dire need for change of the state of mankind and our planet.  But interestingly, what is not known by many people around the world is that there exist sufficient resources, knowledge and welfare to solve many of these issues.

As a result, many leaders around the globe have come to the realization that the path to sustainable peace and development of all nations and societies is not based on national interests or the efforts of government leaders but must in fact start with the individual citizen.

For humanity to move forward as one global community we as global citizens must not only come together in unity to educate ourselves about these issues but also work concertedly with our efforts and welfare to resolve them.  We must not only come to accept and treat each other equally as human beings but also uphold, provide and protect the basic rights of all people.

Here in the United States of America as one of the most pluralistic countries in the world that has established itself based upon the notions of equality, liberty and justice for all there exists a great opportunity to initiate this global movement towards sustainable peace and development of all humanity.

As a part of this movement we at the Foundation for Pluralism have proposed a project in an effort to promote this cause, it will be called Project Soam. Project Soam will be a collaborative societal project in Dallas, TX USA this April to promote social awareness, solidarity, development and co-existence amongst humanity.  Several organizations such as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and a few others have given their support to establish the project.

Organizations such as the Red cross that have international causes abroad will be lecturing and recruiting  volunteers for different international service opportunities that work on service.  The following Week after our lecture nights with these organizations we will have the featured Week of Soam in which individual volunteers will choose different days to work on local causes of their choice. Volunteers from High School age levels and above are all welcome to join in and participate.

This year’s attendance is expected to be low but in time we hope to build on this concept and turn it into a conference for volunteer recruitment, education and discussion of innovative ideas between of citizens and non-profits.  If you have a non profit organization in the U.S. that performs service locally or abroad and would like to possibly participate in next year’s event please leave a comment or email your contact information to kamrancheikh@gmail.com.