Self-Sacrifice

Those who think that lifeis restricted to this earthly life do not put
themselves out for others unless they stand to get something out of
it, and they will not take the initiative to help someone in need.
This is because they do not realise that we will receive perfect
recompense in the afterlife for the good and the evil we have done in
this world. In some verses of the Qur'an, Allah draws our attention to
their perverse way of thinking:
Truly man was created headstrong in greed. (Surat al-Ma'arij: 19)
Have you seen him who turns away and gives little, and that
grudgingly? (Surat an-Najm: 33-34)
As for those who are tight-fisted and direct others to be
tight-fisted, and hide the bounty Allah has given them, Wehave
prepared a humiliating punishment for those who disbelieve. (Surat
an-Nisa': 37)
A person must rid himself of the selfishnessand meanness of his
self.In this regard, our Lord reveals the following:
So have taqwa of Allah, as much as you are able to, and listen and
obey and spend for your own benefit. It is the people who are
safe-guarded from the avarice of their own selves who are successful.
(Surat at-Taghabun: 16)
For this reason, a person who lives according to the teachings of the
Qur'an will avoid selfishness and make an effort during the day to
share what he owns with others around him. For example, he will
takepleasure in sharing his food with someone whois hungry. He will
happily give prized possessions to someone whose need for them is
greater than his own. Hewill give whatever is surplus to his needs to
the needy (Surat al-Baqara: 219). He knows that he will receive a
greater rewardfor it in the afterlife. In the Qur'an, Allah shows us
the exemplary behaviour in this regard of the Companions of our
Prophet:
Those who were alreadysettled in the abode, andin faith, before they
came, love those who have emigrated to them and do not find in their
hearts any need for what they have been given and prefer them to
themselves even if they themselves are needy. It is the people who are
safeguarded from the avarice of their own selves who are successful.
(Surat al-Hashr: 9)
Believers take delight in the knowledge that their act of
self-sacrifice has made someone else happy. They live with the inner
peace of mind that comes from acting out of a good conscienceand
knowing that Allah is pleased. Even when they themselves are in need,
they will give up their own rights withouta thought. They will never
mention their act of self-sacrifice, they willnot behave in order to
be praised or singled outand they will try to makethe other party not
feel obliged because of the favour they have done.