Informal congregational social workers and promotion of social welfare in sermons: a study of Shia women religious scholars of Pakistan

Abstract

The promotion of social welfare is dependent on the three-fold partnership between the state, private bodies, and community groups including formal and informal social workers. This paper evaluates how Shia women’s religious scholars are providing guidance for social welfare during sermon delivery in congregations.AqualitativedesignwasusedtointerviewfiveShiawomen scholars, who also define themselves as informal congregational social workers, across different cities of Pakistan. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed through the thematic content analysis approach. Four themes were found: (1) Women’s Status, Rights and Protection of the Disadvantaged, (2) Care Ethics, Social Justice, and Community Service, (3) Universal Charity and Religious Taxes, and (4) Development of a Spiritual Capital for Sustenance of Social Welfare. There is a role for diverse Muslim sects, and other religions, in pluralistic societies to coordinate and strengthen social welfare using religious ethics. Professional social workers can benefit from partnering with congregational social workers to promote commitment and allegiance to social welfare.