even when they themselves are in dire need.” (al-Hashr 59:9)

How did they give others precedence over their own selves? When the Emigrants first arrived in Madinah, the Helpers welcomed them with honor, respect, and material generosity. One of them would even say to his Emigrant brother, “If you wish, I will give up one of my wives for you”—that is, he would divorce her so that, after her waiting-period, the Emigrant could marry her. Such was the depth of their altruism—may Allah be pleased with them—toward their Emigrant brothers.

Allah the Exalted also says: “They give food—despite their own love for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive” (al-Insān 76:8).

Meaning: they feed the needy, the orphan, and the prisoner while they themselves desire that food, choosing to forgo it. This, too, is a manifestation of altruism.

1/564 – Abū Hurayrah narrated: A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “I am utterly exhausted.” The Prophet sent to one of his wives, and she replied, “By the One who sent you with the truth, I have nothing except water.” He sent to another, and she said the same, until all of them said, “No, by the One who sent you with the truth, we have nothing but water.” The Prophet ﷺ then said, “Who will host this man tonight?” A man from the Helpers said, “I will, O Messenger of Allah,” and he took the guest to his home, saying to his wife, “Honor the guest of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”

In another version he asked his wife, “Do you have anything?” She said, “Nothing but the supper of my children.” He said, “Keep them busy with something, and when they ask for dinner, put them to bed. When our guest comes in, extinguish the lamp and make him think that we are eating.” They sat down; the guest ate, and the couple spent the night hungry. The next morning he went to the Prophet ﷺ, who said, “Allah marveled at what you both did for your guest last night.” Agreed upon.