Recently I was doing some volunteer work with an Islamic organization in my area. The work was fine and, Al-Hamdulillah, the organization was getting a lot of work done. My parents then decided that they didn't want me working there anymore. What would be your opinion on this considering that the work was important to the Muslim community?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

No doubt that the voluntary (charitable) work in Islamic institutions is one of the obligatory acts in Islam. It is indeed a form of call and invitation to Islam which is a mandatory act on all Muslims whether for a salary or voluntary.

Allah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good - that you may succeed. And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him…} [Quran 22:77-78]

It is also helping in goodness and righteousness as ordered by Allah. Allah Says (what means): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety…} [Quran 5: 2]

So, if the institution where you were working helps the needy, brings relief to the afflicted, looks after orphans, fights poverty, ignorance and diseases, and if this institution needs you for its activities and does not have anybody else who can carry out the job as it should be done, then working in this institution becomes an individual obligation on you.

The individual obligation is given priority over the wish of the parents because your leaving the institution could lead to the cessation of its activities and that results in stopping the help provided to the needy Muslims. But if your leaving the institution does not cause the cessation of its activities because there is someone else who can perfectly do the job, then the obedience to your parent is given priority over this job.

Ibn Mas’ood narrated that he asked the Prophet : “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.” I asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To be good and dutiful to your parents” I again asked, “What is the next (in goodness)?” He replied, “To participate in Jihad (religious fighting) in Allah's cause.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

But we do not know why your parents want you to leave this job. Anyway, the benevolent work is a communal duty, so if you are not the only one who can do it, then you must obey your parents. But, if there is nobody else to do it, then convince your parents to let you do it until there is an alternative.

Allah knows best.