Altruism Or Helping Behavior In Islam

Altruism in Islam and the Holy Quran can be summarized in the

following points:

• In Islam, there are no distinctions in dignity and fundamental rights between one person

and another. These rights are recognized in all people, without distinctions of race, sex,

blood relations, or wealth, and they are guaranteed in Islam by virtue of a prescription of

the prophet Muhammad: “There is no advantage for an Arab over a non-Arab, or for a

white man over a black man, excepting by piety.” The unity of the human family is

taught through Islam’s proclamation that the best of people in the sight of God are those

who are most useful to that family

• Islam calls for acquaintance and cooperation for the common good, as well as for the

performance of all kinds of righteous deeds towards all human beings, regardless of their

citizenship or religion. Such is the law of God prescribed by the Quran: “O you people

(humankind); we created you from the union of a twain, male and female, and we

divided you into nations and communities and dispersed you over the earth to get to

know each other and not to boast your descent or rank. The one among you whom God

values most and who is held precious in His esteem is he who keeps God in mind and

acquaints his heart with wisdom, and regards God with breast filled with reverential

awe. God is Omniscient, intimately acquainted with all things”(Surah Al- Hujarat, Aye

13).

• Islam promotes religious freedom for everyone, and prohibits any compulsion in this

respect. For it is written in the Quran: “Compulsion is incompatible with religion,

therefore let there be no compulsion in religion. Now has the path of rectitude been

made distinct from the path of error and holiness from vindictiveness. Therefore, he

who rejects false beliefs and turns his attention to God with a religious mind, will have

grasped firmly at the eternal, the unchangeable and the most secure hand-hold which

shall never separate nor shall it suffer a break, and God is Omnipresent with illimitable

audition, Omniscient” (Surah Al- Baqarah, Aye 256).

• Also, it is written in the Quran: “Had God willed (O Muhammed), He would have

induced all people domiciled on earth to conform to His will and to His system of faith

and worship. Would you then twist peoples’ opinions into accordance with your party

and force them to conform to Islam!” (Surah Yunus, Aye 99).” Thus God reproves any

pressure exercised by one person on the conscience of another.

• Islam prohibits any attack on the property or the life of anyone. The prophet of Islam

solemnly declared, “Property and blood of others are a sacred trust.”

• Islam guarantees house immunity for the protection of human freedom. This immunity

is guaranteed by virtue of the Quranic verse: “O you who have conformed to Islam: Do

not enter houses which are not your own until you have asked permission and greeted

those who dwell therein. This is best for you and mannerly, and it is hoped that you

shall bear this in mind” (Surah Al-Nur, Aye 27).

• There is no fanaticism in Islam. Islam is not a religion of fear but a religion of love and

peace, good character, and human rights. For it is written in the Quran: “And make it the

heart of your purpose to fight in the cause of God those who wage war against you, but

do not take the initiative to transgress; God dislikes those who go beyond the limits

prescribed by Him” (Surah Al- Baqarah, Aye 190).

Islam Urges Believers to Observe the Following

Islam ensures full justice by actions and statements

Islam enjoins altruism and urges Muslims to practice it

Islam suggests maintaining a good character and morals

Islam enjoins on Muslims to offer their help and assistance to others free of

charge and for the Pleasure of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala).

Islam enjoins on Muslims to be generous

Islam enjoins Muslims to be kind and benevolent to others

Islam commands Muslims to be kind and accommodating to others and

encourages people to do so.

Islam enjoins on Muslims to hide omissions of others, and help each other to

achieve their decent and honest goals

Islam enjoins upon patience

Islam enjoins Muslims to control their temper and forgive others, though one is

capable to take revenge.

Islam has supported its theoretical consideration and practical plans with the

spreading of the best of human sentiments in the hearts and souls. These feelings of love

of the good for mankind and the attitude of altruism, even at the time of need:

‘And do good. Truly Allah loves the good-doers.’

(Surat-al-Baqarah (2), ayah 195)

The ordaining of good-deeds is not restricted only to dealings involving

other humans, but it extends to include our dealings with animals as well. For, the doors

of paradise are opened to he who gives water to the thirsty dog, and hell swallows a

woman for imprisoning a kitten - not feeding it nor allowing it to even feed itself. Many

other examples are narrated in the Hadeeth to the extent that the companions of the

Prophet (PBUH.), in utter amazement once said: "Is it so that in the good treatment of

animals there is a reward for us, O Prophet of Allah?” "Yes, in the kind treatment of

every ‘soft livered’ being, there is a reward for you." (Narrated by Muhammad). There is

no doubt that these compassionate virtues cultivate, the qualities of love and lead one to

appreciate the value of universal brotherhood.

History tells us that the Islamic society prospered with the implementation of these

values in all the generations in which the message of Islam flourished, and where the

believers practiced it correctly. For instance, at the time of the Prophet, Salmaan the

Persian was side by side with Suhaib the Roman next to Bilaal the Abbysinian and with

them Abu Bakr the Quraishite, all bound together with the brotherhood of Islam. They

knew not any of this ethnic racism except on the day when they had no belief in true

Islamic teachings and were surrounded with the evils of blind ignorance. Islam has

binned all muslims in a single thread of brotherhood and no matter where they live we

feel them as being close to us and feel their pain as our own, and pray for them and try to

reduce their pain this fundamental altruistic behavior is present among all muslims and

not just muslims of a particular country. We not only feel the pain of those Muslims that

live in our country but of all the Muslims living in different parts of the world.

Altruism in Islam is different from other religions because

Muslims donot practice altruism on the basis of what others think or for any material

gains but purely to please God Almighty. All their actions are guided by Quran And

Sunnah, which emphasize on the importance of altruistic behavior and that the followers

of Islam must try to help other fellow human beings regardless of age, sex and religion.

Muslims donot only help others because they cannot stand the pain of others but also

because Allah like those who help others and because the Quran and Hadeeth strongly

emphasize on not only helping other human beings in trouble but even the animals who

are in need of help. They donot show altruism to get the praise of others but purely

because of their desire to please Allah. Moreover they not only help their relatives or

those with whom they have blood relationship or are genetically related to as the

evolutionist says but their pattern of helping behavior is far beyond the circle of their

relatives or with whom they are genetically related but they try to help everyone whether

they are related to them or not regardless of the religion, nationality or race of the person

because Islam is a religion that cares for the benefit and well-being of the mankind as a

whole and not just of muslims. Whereas in other religions or countries people help others

or show altruistic behavior either to get material gains or personal satisfaction or to get

the praise of other people or simply because they cannot stand the pain of others, and not

just to please God.

Finally, Altruism in Islam is different from other religions because every

religion requires you to be kind, but Islam goes down to the minutest details. For

example, Muslims are supposed to know their neighbors well enough to be able to help

them out with their problems. Finally, when we look at the precedent set by actual

societies, we find that among the happiest of societies was the first Muslim society.

Those Muslims were the reflection of Islamic doctrines in the Quran and Sunnah; they

were helping each other, neither for money, nor for fame but for the sake of Allah. 

"A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other," said the

Prophet Muhammad (saws) (Bukhari)."