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 Altruism, selfless acts
done for another’s benefit in spite of oneself, is a humanitarian endeavor
praised by all societies. Practically every nation on earth has stories of
great kings, brave warriors and noble men and women who sacrificed their material
possessions, status or even themselves for some or other common good. Yet, it
is without any reservation or hesitation whatsoever that we can point to the
religion of Islam for the most perfect, sincere and comprehensive expression of
altruism (eethaar in Islamic terminology). The Prophet Muhammad, may
the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said in a narration, known to
perhaps every devout Muslim:
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his
brother what he loves for himself.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
And with that, altruism instantly becomes a condition of
true faith in God, Most High. This act of faith was demonstrated so many times
throughout the history of Islam, from Muhammad’s commission as a prophet up
until our present times, that to recall even a fraction of the authentic
narrations that have reached us would barely touch the surface. However, for
the purpose of this discussion, we will do just that.
During the great battle of Yarmuk between the fledgling
Islamic state and the Roman Empire, a Companion of the Prophet, Ikrimah b. Abu
Jahl, and two other noble warriors were mortally wounded. An able Muslim who
was attending to the wounded offered one of the injured warriors some water,
but the selfless soldier refused, insisting that one of the other fallen men be
offered water first. When the water reached the second man, he too refused to
drink before the thirst of the other wounded soldiers was quenched. Alas!, by
the time the water had reached the third man, it was already too late: he and
the other two soldiers had died. Truly these three paragons of self-sacrifice
made manifest the words of their Prophet when he said:
“The best charity is that given when one is in need
and struggling.”(Ibn Katheer)
“…And they give others preference over themselves even though
they were themselves in need….” (Quran 59:9)
The above verse was actually revealed in connection to
what was, perhaps, the single greatest act of communal altruism ever witnessed
in the history of mankind: the establishment of brotherhood between the Muslim
emigrants fleeing persecution in Mecca (the Muhajiroon), and their
helpers who took them in Medina (the Ansaar). The Ansaar made
previously untold sacrifices for their brothers in faith, despite the fact that
they were themselves in great need. By their deeds, the bonds of brotherhood
in the new Medinan society were strengthened and solidified in a manner not
seen before or since. Arab was matched with non-Arab, freeman with former
slave, Qurayshi (a member of Prophet’s own tribe) with non-Qurayshi, and so on.
“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you spend
of that which you love….” (Quran 3:92)
As an amazing example of how this brotherhood manifested
itself, we have the case of the two Companions of the Prophet: Abdur-Rahman b.
Awf, who was a Muhajir, and Sa’d b. al-Rabee, an Ansari. Abdur-Rahman
narrates in his own words:
“When we came to Medina, the Messenger of God
established bonds of brotherhood between me and Sa’d b. al-Rabee. Sa’d said:
‘I am the wealthiest of the Ansar,
so I will give you half of all my wealth. And see which of my wives you
prefer, I will divorce her for you, and when she becomes lawful (as a
divorcee), you can marry her.’ I (Abdur-Rahman) said to him: ‘I do not need
that. (But tell me), is there a marketplace here where people trade?’ Sa‘ad
said: ‘There is the marketplace of Qaynuqa’… And so, the following day Abdur-Rahman
went to the market to begin trading. Before long, he was once again wealthy,
as he had been in Mecca, and able to marry of his own accord.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
“And those who, before them, had homes (in Madina) 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 booty and the like),
and they give (the emigrants) preference over themselves, even though they were
themselves in need. And whomsoever are saved from the covetousness of their
own souls, such are they who will be successful.” (Quran 59:9)
The altruism of the Medinan Muslims, praised by God in
the Quran, was so great in its scope and impact that the Meccan recipients of
their brothers’ selflessness were worried there would be no grace left for
them! The Companion, Anas b. Malik, said:
“When the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of
God be upon him, came to Madina, the Muhajiroon came
to him and said: ‘O Messenger of God, we have never seen any people more
generous when they have the means and more helpful when they have little, than
the people among whom we have settled. They have looked after us and they have
let us join them and share in all their happy occasions, to such an extent that
we are afraid that they will take all the reward (from God in the Hereafter).’ The
Prophet said: ‘Not so long as you pray for them and praise them.’” (Al-Tirmidhi)
God Himself praised the Companions of Muhammad, both Muhajir
and Ansar, for their great many selfless sacrifices and services in His
Cause. He, the Almighty, also praised whoever would follow in their footsteps.
Let us then follow them, perchance we may too be rewarded in heaven.
“The foremost (in faith) from the Muhajiroon and the Ansar
and those who follow them in righteousness; God is well-pleased with them
and they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them (the Companions
and their followers in righteousness) gardens under which rivers flow to dwell
therein forever - that is the supreme success.” (Quran 9:100)
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