From the establishment of the Muslim state in Madinah following the blessed Hijrah, the Islamic society has been characterized by love, compassion, integration, and mutual support. The first foundational principle was the brotherhood between the Muhajireen (immigrants) and the Ansar (supporters). The Ansar opened their homes to the Muhajireen as genuine brothers, granting them all rights of brotherhood. Believers shed all traces of selfishness and individualism from their hearts, replacing them with altruism and generous giving instead of despicable selfishness.
However, where did these dangerous diseases come from, the ones that have polluted the Islamic society? How did they arise and spread to become alarming phenomena that threaten the community with hatred and disintegration?
One of the gravest moral illnesses that can afflict an individual or a community is selfishness and self-centeredness, which destroys the heart and undermines societal values.
Selfishness in Light of Islamic Teachings
Like all negative traits, Allah warns His servants through examples to clarify concepts and provide guidance so that Muslims do not fall into such behaviors out of ignorance. Allah says, “Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning.” (Al-Qalam: 17)
The apparent sin of the companions of the garden was their insistence on secretly reaping the fruits of their garden and accumulating all its bounty, neglecting the right of the needy in it. (1)
Another example is Allah’s words: “And inform them that the water is shared between them.” (Al-Qamar: 28) Here, Allah forbade the people drinking in the day which the she-camel doesn’t drink from monopolizing their share of water and instructed them to show solidarity with the people drinking in the day the she-camel drinks. (2) Furthermore, Allah says, “And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].” (Al-Baqarah: 188) This ayah addresses the entire Muslim Ummah, warning against consuming each other’s wealth unlawfully through deceit, fraud, lies, denial of rights, or similar manifestations of selfishness. (3)
Ibn Mas’ud narrated: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Soon others will be preferred to you, and there will be things which you will not like.” The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) asked, “O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! What do you order us to do (in this case)?” He said, “(I order you) to give the rights that are on you and to ask your rights from Allah.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The Prophet also said to the Ansar: “You will find after me, others being preferred to you. Then be patient till you meet Allah and meet His Apostle at Al-Kauthar (i.e. a fount in Paradise).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Additionally, ‘Ubada b. as-Samit said: “We swore allegiance to God’s Messenger agreeing to hear and obey in time of difficulty and time of ease, in what we liked and what we disliked, to give way to others’ interests, not to dispute about government with those in power, and to say what was right wherever we were, not fearing for God’s sake what anyone who blamed us might say.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Allah praises the believers saying, “And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful.'” (Al-Hashr: 10)
Negative Effects on Individuals and Society
Selfishness and individualism have numerous negative effects on individuals and the Muslim society as a whole. Among these are:
- Self-centered individuals do not love goodness for others, thereby stepping outside the framework of Islamic values and ethics. They fight goodness and prioritize their personal interests over divine commands and the welfare of others.
An example is what Ibn `Abbas narrated: Musailama-al-Kadhdhab (i.e. the liar) came in the life-time of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) with many of his people (to Medina) and said, “If Muhammad makes me his successor, I will follow him.” (Al-Bukari and Muslim) Musaylimah was not concerned with the truth but only with securing his own interests, even if it meant perpetuating falsehood.
- Additionally, among Selfishness effects on society that it leads to widespread hatred, injustice, and the violation of rights among people. It results in societal discord, the neglect of the poor due to the absence of mutual support, and the weakening of family ties and bonds of kinship. This, in turn, undermines the sense of brotherhood that is built on love, empathy, and generosity, replacing it with division and competition over worldly gains.
Anxiety and Depression as Consequences of Selfishness (5)
Many believe selfishness is merely a moral illness affecting social relationships among Muslims. However, it also has psychological consequences, transforming tranquility into anxiety and happiness into deep depression.
Dr. Michael McGee, a professor at Montclair State University in New Jersey, states: “What do you think about throughout the day? If it is mostly about yourself, you may be suffering from selfishness. People often view selfishness as a negative personality trait. If you are selfish, the first thing you need to do is not berate yourself for it, or your shame will grant you another reason to be occupied by yourself. Instead, recognize it as a symptom of underlying anxiety. Selfish individuals often feel threatened, weak, and insecure with others, and narcissistic selfish people have an addiction to their own sense of uniqueness, in addition to an underlying insecurity related to loving others safely.”
Selfishness, therefore, affects mental health, leading to an unstable and unhappy life.
Solutions
The ultimate solution lies in praying to Allah, as only He has the power to change hearts. Every step toward healing this illness must be accompanied by seeking Allah’s help through sincere du’aa. The first step in remedy is proper upbringing, accompanied by gentle discipline, which prevents individuals from developing resentment toward others. Justice among children is also critical to fostering generosity and kindness in their hearts.
An-Nu`man bin Bashir narrated: My mother asked my father to present me a gift from his property; and he gave it to me after some hesitation. My mother said that she would not be satisfied unless the Prophet (ﷺ) was made a witness to it. I being a young boy, my father held me by the hand and took me to the Prophet (ﷺ). He said to the Prophet, “His mother, bint Rawaha, requested me to give this boy a gift.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do you have other sons besides him?” He said, “Yes.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Do not make me a witness for injustice.” Narrated Ash-Shu`bi that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I will not become a witness for injustice.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) This also involves raising a child to share generously, such as offering food to those who do not have it and sharing toys with others without being harsh to them.
Raising by example: ‘Amr b. ‘Abasa said: God’s Messenger led us in prayer facing a camel which had been taken in booty, and when he had given the salutation he took a hair from the camel’s side and said, “I have no right to as much as this of your booty, but only to the fifth, and the fifth is returned to you.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood)
Also remember the consequences of selfishness as mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet (ﷺ): “Do you know who is the bankrupt?” They said, “The bankrupt among us is one who has neither money with him nor any property.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The real bankrupt of my Ummah would be he who would come on the Day of Resurrection with Salat, Saum and Sadaqah (charity), (but he will find himself bankrupt on that day as he will have exhausted the good deeds) because he reviled others, brought calumny against others, unlawfully devoured the wealth of others, shed the blood of others and beat others; so his good deeds would be credited to the account of those (who suffered at his hand). If his good deeds fall short to clear the account, their sins would be entered in his account and he would be thrown in the (Hell) Fire.” (Narrated by Muslim)
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- “The Graphic Interpretation of the Holy Qur'an” by Bint Al-Shati (2/63).
- “Al-Muharrar Al-Wajiz” by Ibn Atiyyah (5/218).
- “Tafsir al-Qurtubi - Al-Jami' li Ahkam al-Quran” (2/338).
- Michael McGee, Professor of Sexual Health at Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA.
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