Human beings are naturally self-seeking—but the highest form of self-interest is not worldly gain; it is seeking God’s mercy through compassion, justice, and obedience, argues Souman Nazki
I was reading an article about how Ayn Rand understood the concept of selfishness, and then a thought struck me to write my response. Rand believes that the concept of selfishness has been hijacked by society. According to the author, a selfish person is someone who respects and supports himself and does not sacrifice himself for others, nor others for himself. She further argues that selfishness in a human being is objective because every person has biological and psychological needs, and those needs form the basis of one’s interests. Basically, she argues that altruism is not the moral ideal and that selfishness, when rational, is ethical. However, she opposes the idea of being selfish to the detriment of others. She does not classify those who exploit others for their personal interests as selfish; rather, she considers them brute or immoral. Rand believes that if such people are labelled selfish, then altruism appears to become the only ethical solution, an idea with which she completely disagrees.
She further argues, “Altruism permits no concept of a self-respecting, self-supporting man, a man who supports his own life through his own effort and neither sacrifices himself nor others. It permits no concept of benevolent coexistence among men; it permits no concept of justice.” This idea can be applied to how God wants this world to function. For if people were not selfish, they would sacrifice themselves to hell for others, wouldn’t they? God created us in such a way that we are inherently selfish, and without this selfishness, we would not even do what is right. We perform good deeds to please our Lord God, and in return, the Lord has promised divine rewards. We seek His mercy and patiently stand in line for His benediction. Objective morality cannot be fully implemented in a being programmed with subjective desires and self-interest unless it is given a higher purpose to strive for. This is what I call “Selfish Altruism,” which means sacrificing oneself for others in pursuit of one’s own ultimate interest. God created us, and He perfectly understands our nature. If He had not created us to be selfish, He would not have created Heaven. However, what He desires from us is that we be selfish for the true reward, a need greater and better than the needs of this world. He wants us to seek His mercy above all else. It is likely that we may work day and night for our worldly needs while leaving our spiritual needs unaddressed, which may ultimately lead us astray. The true moral ideal, therefore, is to be selfish for the sake of the Lord’s mercy, because His mercy fulfills every need of this world and the next. I use ‘selfishness’ in an extended sense that takes in ultimate concern for one’s eternal comfort, which inevitably involves moral action toward others.
So, be selfish for what He has promised you, for it is better than this world. Even in this world, He has not forsaken you. He has given you shelter, clothing, food, and parents—all because of His mercy. Therefore, this conveyed self-interest reforms moral life into methodical compassion, where justice toward others becomes the pathway to divine approval. And He tells you how to gain His mercy in the same chapter. He says: “So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him]. And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him]. But as for the favour of your Lord, report it.” (Qur’an 93:9–11). He tells you not to oppress the orphan, and you will receive His mercy. Then, do not repel the petitioner; rather, help him, and you will attain God’s mercy. Then proclaim the favour of your Lord—the Qur’an—and you will receive His mercy. The next chapter reassures us even further, saying: “We raised high for you your repute. For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” (Qur’an 94:4–6) God assures us that our repute has been elevated not among the people of this world, but among those who will be victorious on the Last Day. Among them, our reputation will be honoured, and it will remain forever. Therefore, be selfish for that reputation, the one with your Lord, which can only be attained by following what He commands. By selfishness, I do not mean gluttony or self-centredness, but the natural human quest of accomplishment and safeguarding, which religion redirects toward eternal rather than momentary ends.
In the same chapter, our Lord, the One True God—says: “So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.” (Qur’an 94:7–8) Indeed, this “selfishness” is manifested through altruism, through submitting to the commands of the Lord. The Qur’an says: 49:10: “The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.”
49:11: “O believers! Do not let some men ridicule others; they may be better than them. Nor let some women ridicule other women; they may be better than them. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the true wrongdoers.” 49:12: “O believers! Avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is the Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.” 49:13: “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” Be merciful to one another. I say this with all my heart: please be merciful to one another. Each one of us will be held accountable for what our Lord, the One True God, has commanded in the verses above. These rights must not be violated, for our Lord will not forgive injustice against others when the appointed time comes. Therefore, be selfish for the Lord’s mercy and for His forgiveness. 21:92: “Indeed, this community of yours is one single community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”