3. EGOCENTRISM
Western society
Originally considered a sin
Shift
Present capitalist theory
Selfish behaviour = Invisible hand economy
ex: Ayn Rand
“If civilization is the survive, it is the morality of
altruism that men have to reject”
4. ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
“So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can; listen
and obey; and spend in charity, that is better for yourselves. And
whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, then they are the
successful ones” [64:16]
Takes self-interest and makes it for the akhira
5. SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE
It’s all about us
Want to share with others
WHY?
It’s all about Him
Yunus Emre:
Yaratilami severiz, Yaratandan ötürü
“We love the creation because of the Creator”
7. ALTRUISM
Definition
Action at cost to onself but for the benefit of others
without expectation of reciprocity
Ex: Ansar
“…but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are
in privation…” [59:9]
8. SACRIFICE
We all sacrifice for something
Wordly or spiritual
Causes are different
To give something up for some belief
Related to worship
Hadith
“Perish the slave of the dinar and the slave of the dirham and
the slave of fine clothing…” (Bukhari)
9. Sacrifice for the world = Emptiness
Sacrifice for a higher purpose = Satisfaction
10. HOLINESS
What is sacrifice?
Sign of love
Definition: to make holy
قربان - literally a way to get close to God
"Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches
Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you
may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good
tidings to the doers of good"[22:37]
11. ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Charity is giving away what we have
Hadith
"Charity does not decrease wealth" (Muslim)
"Proof of faith"
Only thing of true value that lasts
Hadith
“All of it remains except the shoulder“ (Tirmidhi)
12. HONOUR IN ISLAM
Most honoured person:
Mother
Why?
SACRIFICE
Highest form of goodness:
Birr = righteousness
"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that
which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well"
[3:92]
13. EXAMPLES
Prophet giving cloak when asked
Qays ibn Sad ibn Ubada – debt relief
Hungry boy – feeding dog
14. ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
Rights & Responsibilities
In Islam, we discharge our responsibilities and give
others their rights
Irrespective of what they do to us
15. PATH TO GOD
Path to God = SACRIFICE
He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!
[37:99]