سُـبْحٰـنَ الـلّٰــه ‎! Dear Islamic brothers! It becomes clear that self-sacrifice is also a deed that pleases Allah Almighty.

What is Self-Sacrifice?

It means: giving preference to the need and desire of another over one’s own need and desire.^[1]

In a blessed Hadith, it is stated: “Whoever desires something, then restrains his desire and gives preference to someone else over himself, Allah Almighty forgives him.”^[2]

The Selflessness of Sayyidah Bibi Fatimah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا

Sayyiduna Imam Hasan Mujtaba رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ says: One day, after observing a fast for a full day, food was prepared in our home. My respected father, Mawla Ali, and my younger brother, Sayyiduna Imam Husayn رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما, had finished eating, but my mother, Sayyidah Bibi Fatimah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا, had not yet eaten. As soon as she was about to begin her meal, a beggar came to the door and said, “O daughter of the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم! I have not eaten for two meals. Please give me some food.”

Sayyidah Fatimah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا immediately stopped eating and instructed me, “Go and give this food to the beggar. I have missed only one meal, whereas he has been hungry for two.”^[3]

The Great Reward of Feeding Others

Dear Islamic brothers! You have heard how Sayyidah Bibi Fatimah رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا, despite being hungry herself, preferred another over herself and gave away her food. We should take lessons from the lives of these blessed personalities.