Of altruism in Islam By Abdul Rasool Syed.

UNPRECEDENTED downpours coupled with subsequent heavy floods have wreaked havoc in our country.

Nearly seventy percent of our homeland is directly or indirectly affected; thousands of houses have collapsed, crops standing on thousands of acres of land have severely damaged and countless animals were either dead or facing extreme starvation due to devastation caused to the plant kingdom by recent voluminous inundation.

In such a predicament, where people have not only lost their loved ones but also their precious belongings and are now compelled to lead a life of miseries and deprivations; those who are blessed with fortunes must come forward to help them.

It is, indeed, a high time to demonstrate altruism as admonished by our religion Islam. Our religion Islam holds altruism in high esteem and requires its adherents to practice it voluntarily in order to erect a society based on socio-economic justice and humanitarianism.

The holy book mentions those who observe altruism in their life in the following rewarding words'...But they favour others over themselves, even though they are in privation.

And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful (Quran 59: 9].

In addition, the books of traditions are replete with myriad Ahadis (traditions) in which the Holy Prophet (SAW) admonished his followers to exercise altruism- called 'Esaar' in Islamic terminology.

He (SAW) not only advised others to espouse altruism in their day-to-day affairs but also presented himself as an epitome of self-sacrifice.

It is recorded in the books of tradition that once a woman came to the best of creation, the Last Prophet (SAWW), and presented a garment to him, saying: 'O Messenger of Allah, this is [a gift] for you.

' The Last Prophet, (SAWW), accepted it and wore it as he was in need of it; then, one of the Companions saw him wearing it, and said to him, 'What a beautiful garment! Give it to me!

' The Prophet (SAW), indicated his willingness to do that; then, when he had left, the other companions, may Allah be pleased with them, reproached the man, saying, 'You did not do a good thing when you asked the Prophet (SAW) to hand it to you while you see that he is short of [clothes]; and you know that he never declines to give anything if asked. '

He explained, 'I sought the blessing of the garment as the Prophet (SAW) had worn it; and I wished I could be shrouded in it.

' Moreover, we also see the holy companions...