Altruism in Islam is defined as "preferring others over
oneself and prioritizing their well-being over one's own." It is also
defined as "giving others priority over oneself in providing them with
benefit and protection, which is the ultimate form of brotherhood."
Altruism is the highest degree of generosity, the most
complete form of munificence, and the highest level of giving. Generosity is
defined as "giving without difficulty or fear of poverty or need."
Munificence is defined as "giving the most and keeping something for
oneself, or keeping an amount equal to what one has given." Altruism has
three levels or degrees. The first is to feed them while you go hungry, clothe
them while you go naked, and give them drink while you go thirsty, within the
bounds of what is not forbidden by religion. The second is the will and action
to please God Almighty, even if it angers people. This is the level of the
prophets, and the highest level is for those of firm resolve among them, and
its pinnacle is for our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The third is
to attribute your selflessness to God, not to yourself, and to acknowledge that
He alone is the source of selflessness, not you. It is as if you have
surrendered selflessness to Him. So if you give something to someone else, it
is God who gives it, not you. He is the true giver, and this is what is known
as the selflessness of God Almighty (Ibn al-Qayyim). Altruism has many
benefits, the most important of which is that it eliminates stinginess and
selfishness, encourages generosity and giving, and helps one gain acceptance
among people.
The Quran urges altruism in the words of God Almighty: “And
those who, before them, had homes (in Al-Madinah) and had adopted the Faith,
love those who emigrate to them, and have no jealousy in their breasts for that
which they have been given (from the booty of Bani An-Nadir), and give them
(emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that.
And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the
successful.” (Surat Al-Hashr: 9) Al-Tabari explains this verse, saying, “God
describes the Ansar, saying, ‘And those who had settled in the city and
embraced the faith before them,’ meaning before the Muhajireen, ‘and preferred
them over themselves,’ meaning they gave the Muhajireen their money, preferring
them over themselves, ‘even though they were in dire need,’ meaning even though
the Ansar were in need of what they preferred from their money over
themselves.” The Quran also urges altruism, saying: “It is not Al-Birr (piety,
righteousness, and each and every act of obedience to Allah, etc.) that you
turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the
quality of) the one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book,
the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to
the orphans, and to Al-Masakin (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those
who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and gives
the Zakat, and who fulfill their covenant when they make it, and who are
As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) in extreme poverty and ailment (disease)
and at the time of fighting (during the battles). Such are the people of the
truth, and they are Al-Muttaqun (pious—see V. 2:2).” (Surat Al-Baqarah: 177).
Thus, God, blessed and exalted is He, clarified that among the acts of
righteousness, after belief in God, the Last Day, the angels, the scriptures,
and the prophets, is feeding the needy and giving to those who desire it, along
with loving, craving, and desiring it. And attaining righteousness is only
achieved by spending from what we love, from the best and purest of our wealth,
as God Almighty says: “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” (Surat Al Imran: 92). Spending from the purest and most
virtuous of one's wealth is among the greatest proofs of a generous soul,
characterized by noble morals, compassion, and tenderness. It is also one of
the clearest signs of loving God and prioritizing His love over the love of
wealth, to which human nature is inherently attached.
The prophetic tradition encourages altruism, as narrated by
Abu Hurairah: “A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and
said, ‘O Messenger of God, which charity is most rewarding?’ He replied, ‘That
you give charity while you are healthy and stingy, fearing poverty and hoping
for wealth, and do not delay until your soul reaches your throat, then you say,
“This is for so-and-so, and this is for so-and-so,” when it already belongs to
so-and-so.’” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah; Source: Sahih Muslim). This hadith
clarifies that the more difficult acts of charity are, the greater their
reward. For example, a healthy but miserly person, fearing poverty and hoping
for wealth, finds it difficult to give. Satan tempts him with the idea of a
long life and the onset of poverty. Therefore, whoever gives charity in such
circumstances is prioritizing God's reward over their own desires. This
selflessness may be innate or instinctive, or it may be motivated by faith—that
is, loving good for others at the expense of one's own pleasures and desires.
Innate altruism, like that found in fathers, mothers, and lovers, is driven by
intense, overwhelming love. Love is one of the strongest intrinsic motivators
for sacrificing oneself and all that is connected to one's interests and needs
for the sake of the beloved's well-being, satisfaction, happiness, or joy. This
innate altruism is exemplified in the story narrated by the Mother of the
Believers, Aisha, may God be pleased with her, who said, "A poor woman
came to me carrying her two daughters. I gave her three dates, and she gave
each of her daughters one date. She raised the third to her mouth to eat it,
but her daughters asked her for it. So she split the date she was about to eat
between them. I was impressed by her compassion, and I remembered what she had
done for the Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him." The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “God has guaranteed her
Paradise and freed her from Hellfire.” (Narrated by Aisha, the Mother of the
Believers; Source: Sahih Ibn Hibban). Thus, the mother’s selflessness stemmed
from her love and compassion for her two daughters.
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