One of the qualities of the believers described in the Qur’an is the readiness to sacrifice one’s interests for the sake of another; that is, holding the needs of others to be above one’s own; taking the trouble to help others; giving preference to others, occupying a back seat oneself. This human quality is termed eesar (sacrifice) in the Qur’an.

After the emigration a number of Muslims came to Madinah from Makkah. These people were evidently going to become a burden upon the Madinan Muslims. Because at that time the emigrants were empty-handed, while the local inhabitants (Ansar) had houses, lands, orchards, etc. But the Madinan Muslims gave a hearty welcome to these newcomers, who were apparently about to become a source of economic liability. Referring to this question, the Qur’an observed: “Those, before them, who had homes in the City (Madinah) and embraced the Faith before them, love those who have sought refuge with them; they entertain no desire in their hearts for what they are given, but rather prefer them above themselves, though they are in want. Those that preserve themselves from their own greed shall surely prosper.” (59:9)

This willingness to sacrifice is a superior human quality. It is something which is experienced daily by the people. Almost every morning and evening such occasions arise when one feels the necessity for one kind of sacrifice or the other, the need to recede into the background and leave the path clear for others to go forward; to suffer oneself in order to give comfort to others; to cut down one’s own expenses to be able to help others; to suppress one’s own personality so that others may come to the fore, to remain silent to allow others to speak; to keep one’s conveyance to one side in order to give room for others to go ahead to their destinations. Such self-sacrifice is called eesar. It is a form of altruism. According to the Quran, it is those who possess this quality who will prosper.

We have been advised in the Qur’an that goodness and evil are not equal. Therefore we should return good for evil (41:34). This has been expressed repeatedly in the Qur’an in different wordings.

This means that believers should always react positively. At all events they should refrain from negative reaction. Their behaviour should be proper, not only in normal circumstances, but also in abnormal circumstances. That is, even when any group displays bad behaviour, it is still incumbent on the believers not to display a retaliatory mentality.

At that moment, too, they should prove to be men of principle. They should maintain their good behaviour, even in the face of bad behaviour from others.

A believer is one who begins to lead his life in accordance with the higher realities; the level of whose thinking is above that of ordinary human beings. Such a person comes to have a limitless capacity for tolerance. His inner-self is so deeply immersed that in peace, no outward event can disturb his emotional balance. He takes pity on those who are easily angered. Where ordinary people become provoked, he remains blissfully serene.