Altruism is a lofty and refined rank of generosity, giving, and selflessness that only a true believer, seeking the pleasure of the Lord of the worlds and firmly believing in meeting Him to reward them for their acts of favoring others over themselves, possesses. It involves prioritizing others over oneself in both private and public interests. This trait was exemplified by the people of Medina when they welcomed the migrants, sharing their homes, wealth, and work with them.
It is the virtue of altruism. Allah Almighty says about it: "Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." (Aal-Imran: 92). Abu Huraira told that when a man asked God’s messenger which sadaqa produced the greatest reward he replied, “That which you give when you are healthy and inclined to be mean, fearing poverty and hoping for a competence. Do not put it off and then say when you are about to die that you give such and such to so and so and such and such to so and so when it has already become the property of so and so.” (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
There are several positive incentives that drive a Muslim to embody the virtue of altruism, including:
- The Quran and Sunnah's Praise for Those Who Favor Others Over Themselves:
Altruism is mentioned in various forms in the Book of Allah, honoring its practitioners and highlighting its different manifestations. Allah says:
“A spring from which the servants of Allah will drink; they will make it gush forth in force. They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.’” (Al-Insan 76:6-9).
“And [also for] those who were settled in Al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.” (Al-Hashr 59:9).
This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) distributed the spoils from the wealth of Banu Nadir among the emigrants only and gave nothing to the Ansar except for three men. The Ansar were those who had protected themselves from the stinginess of their souls by willingly forgoing the spoils for the emigrants.
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Beware of oppression, for oppression will turn into excessive darkness on the Day of Resurrection and beware of niggardliness, for niggardliness destroyed your predecessors.” (Narrated by Muslim).
- Following the Example of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him):
Jabir ibn Abdullah narrated: We were digging (the trench) on the day of (Al-Khandaq ( i.e. Trench )) and we came across a big solid rock. We went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Here is a rock appearing across the trench." He said, "I am coming down." Then he got up, and a stone was tied to his belly for we had not eaten anything for three days. So the Prophet (ﷺ) took the spade and struck the big solid rock and it became like sand. I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Allow me to go home." (When the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed me) I said to my wife, "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) in a state that I cannot treat lightly. Have you got something (for him to eat?" She replied, "I have barley and a she goat." So I slaughtered the she-kid and she ground the barley; then we put the meat in the earthenware cooking pot. Then I came to the Prophet (ﷺ) when the dough had become soft and fermented and (the meat in) the pot over the stone trivet had nearly been well-cooked, and said, "I have got a little food prepared, so get up O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), you and one or two men along with you (for the food)." The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, "How much is that food?" I told him about it. He said, "It is abundant and good. Tell your wife not to remove the earthenware pot from the fire and not to take out any bread from the oven till I reach there."
Then he said (to all his companions), "Get up." So the Muhajirn (i.e. Emigrants) and the Ansar got up. When I came to my wife, I said, "Allah's Mercy be upon you! The Prophet came along with the Muhajirin and the Ansar and those who were present with them." She said, "Did the Prophet (ﷺ) ask you (how much food you had)?" I replied, "Yes." Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Enter and do not throng." The Prophet (ﷺ) started cutting the bread (into pieces) and put the cooked meat over it. He covered the earthenware pot and the oven whenever he took something out of them. He would give the food to his companions and take the meat out of the pot. He went on cutting the bread and scooping the meat (for his companions) till they all ate their fill, and even then, some food remained. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to my wife), "Eat and present to others as the people are struck with hunger." (Reported by Al-Bukhari).
- The Ultimate Reward in Paradise for Those Who Practice Altruism:
Allah says: “A spring from which the servants of Allah will drink; they will make it gush forth in force. They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.’” (Al-Insan 76:6-9).
- A Unique Social Solidarity Found Only in Muslim Lands:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised the actions of the Ash'ari tribe of Yemen. Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When the Ash'ariyun run short of food in the Jihad or when they are at home in Al-Madinah, they collect all the provisions they have in a sheet and then divide it equally among themselves. They are of me and I am of them." (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim). Imam Al-Ayni commented that this hadith highlights the great virtue of the Ash'aris in their altruism and mutual support, as testified by the Messenger of Allah, who honored them by associating himself with them. This also illustrates the virtue of altruism and mutual support. (1)
Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Two people’s food is enough for three and three people’s is enough for four.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
- A Sign of Complete Faith and One of Its Fruits:
Allah the Almighty has made altruism a companion to faith in Him, the angels, the scriptures, and the prophets. He says: "Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous." (Al-Baqarah: 177).
Ibn Mas'ud explained the phrase "in spite of love for it" as meaning that you give in charity while you are in good health and are tight-fisted, hoping to live longer and fearing poverty.
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