Speaking on Al-Kawthar program “Problems and Solutions”, Sami Khadra noted that the concept of “Al-Takaful el-Ejtemaei” (or social solidarity) has been popular for decades, adding that the expression of “Al-Takaful el-Ejtemaei” is a new Arabic expression which has roots in the Quran and Sunnah.

The expression means cooperation, serving others and doing good deeds, etc, the cleric said, adding these concepts exist in Islam. However, he said that the expression “Al-Takaful el-Ejtemaei” itself is new.

Social solidarity is a kind of cooperation between two individuals or two groups with the aim of bringing benefits or countering a specific damage, Khadra said, noting that it will benefit both sides as the one who is taking the initiative and providing help will enjoy psychological comfort and get thawab (or reward).

He further said that Social Solidarity is not only a material issue, noting that there are also moral solidarity and ethical solidarity.

Khadra added that Social Solidarity is said to be an ethical system as “the Muslim's doctrine should not remain theoretical” and the Muslim person “have to move from speech to action”, to love, conscientiousness, charity, forgiveness and mercy, quoting a verse in the Quran that says “They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, ‘Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.’"

The cleric noted that there is Individual solidarity, which is endured by individuals, and public social solidarity, which is endured by the government.

Regarding Individual Solidarity, Khadra said that the Islamic society outperforms the western society in the field of social solidarity through Sadaqah (voluntary charity), Zakat (alms), the Khums (or one fifth of gain), Kaffara (atonement) and Awqaf (charitable endowments), etc.

Islam considers that there are people whom you have to help and towards whom you have responsibilities, such as relatives, widows, orphans and neighbors, the cleric said, quoting the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “He who sleeps on a full stomach whilst his neighbor goes hungry is not one of us”.

He also quoted a verse in the Quran that says: “And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction [by refraining]. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good”, noting that refraining from giving charity to the needy people leads to destruction.

Khadra also quoted another verse in the Quran that says “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”