ایثار

It is narrated from Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) that a woman came to the Messenger of Allah ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam bringing a shawl (as a gift and present) and said: “O Prophet! I wish to drape this shawl upon you.” He accepted the shawl and wrapped it around himself, and his condition at that time was that he was in need of it. One of his Companions saw him wearing that shawl and said: “O Messenger of Allah! This shawl is very fine indeed; bestow it upon me.” He said: “Very well” (and taking off the shawl at that very moment, he gave it to that Companion). Then when the Messenger of Allah ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam rose from that gathering, some of the companions reproached that man and said: “You did not do well; you saw that the Messenger of Allah ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam himself needed it and had accepted this shawl from that woman in a state of need. In spite of this you asked him for it, though you know that his noble habit is that whatever is asked of him, he gives it away.” The man said: “I did this only for the sake of blessing, because the Messenger of Allah ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam had worn it, and now I hope that this very blessed shawl will become my shroud.” Sahl ibn Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) says that that shawl indeed became his shroud. (Bukhari)

Among the moral qualities of a Muslim, and among the graces and blessings he has gained from the teachings of the religion and the excellences of Islam, is also self-sacrifice (ithar) and love for others. It is only then that he attains the station of ithar: he gives another precedence over himself, stays hungry himself but feeds another to the full, is thirsty himself but quenches the thirst of his companion — indeed, he will even die for the life of others; and this is nothing strange for anyone who is endowed with the qualities of perfection and brimming with love of goodness, grace and beauty.

In this blessed hadith an incident of the self-sacrifice of the Messenger of Allah ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam is related. Ithar is in reality a lofty degree of benevolence and character. Ithar is that a person, overlooking his own need, fulfils the need of another. The Prophet’s own conduct was that of ithar, and he used to encourage and teach others to it too. Such was the effect of his teaching and training that the lives of the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) will be found filled with incidents of sacrifice and self-giving.

The Holy Qur’an has enjoined self-sacrifice upon those who follow it in this way. Allah Most High says: “And do not forget graciousness between yourselves; indeed, Allah sees whatever you do.” (al-Baqara 237)

All the excellent morals of a Muslim and all his praiseworthy fine qualities are drawn from the pure spring of Muhammadan wisdom ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam, or drawn from the outpouring of divine mercy — as on one occasion the Master of both worlds ṣalla’llahu ʿalayhi wa-sallam said: “None of you can be a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” (Reported by Muslim)

Acting upon this guidance brings elevation, greatness and loftiness into the character of a Muslim.

Regarding the self-sacrifice and giving of the Ansar after the migration from Makka al-Mukarrama to Madina al-Tayyiba, these words in praise of the Ansar’s sacrifice and self-giving have come in the Holy Qur’an: “And they give preference (to their Emigrant brothers) over themselves, even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the covetousness of his own soul — it is they who are the successful (and the attainers of their goal).” (al-Hashr 9)

One who takes this verse to heart will give deserving others precedence over his own self, family and children, and will keep advancing ever further in this self-sacrifice. Among these Ansar there is also a most remarkable example of one Ansari’s self-sacrifice: he had two wives, so he offered to divorce one wife so that, after her waiting period had passed, his Emigrant brother might marry her. (Reported by Bukhari)