ITHAR: THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE

Mumin Builder Retreat – October 2015

SELFISHNESS/EGOCENTRISM Self centeredness is natural

Development stage Baby Child

Theory of Mind

EMPATHY

EGOCENTRISMWestern society

Originally considered a sinShift

Present capitalist theorySelfish behaviour = Invisible hand economy

ex: Ayn Rand“If civilization is the survive, it is the

morality of altruism that men have to reject”

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

SECRET OF THE UNIVERSEIt’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”

SHARED EXPERIENCESInfuse meaning in life

ALTRUISMDefinition

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]

SACRIFICE We all sacrifice for something

Wordly or spiritual Causes are different

To give something up for some belief

Related to worshipHadith

“Perish the slave of the dinar and the slave of the dirham and the slave of fine clothing…” (Bukhari)

Sacrifice for the world = EmptinessSacrifice for a higher purpose = Satisfaction

HOLINESS What is sacrifice?

Sign of loveDefinition: to make holy

literally a way to get close to God -قربان

"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]

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)

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]

EXAMPLES Prophet giving cloak when asked Qays ibn Sad ibn Ubada – debt relief Hungry boy – feeding dog

ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE Rights & Responsibilities

In Islam, we discharge our responsibilities and give others their rights

Irrespective of what they do to us

PATH TO GODPath to God = SACRIFICE

He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me! [37:99]