What is altruism?
The term originates from the French word “altruisme,” derived from “autrui,” meaning “other people,” with its first known use dating back to 1853. It is an action where an individual or an organization places significant importance on maintaining the well-being and happiness of others. This action is an act of selflessness that is opposed to being selfish without expecting any return. Some examples of altruism are giving food to the homeless and donating blood. It could be as simple as lending a hand to your friends, family and the people around you. Altruism is basically an act of kindness without expecting reciprocation.
Does Islam practice altruism?
In Arabic, altruism is known as Īthār, which means “altruism, preference, love, affection.” Yes, altruism is one of the most significant values in Islam. Zakat, a religious obligation, requires Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to charity. Known as one of the five pillars of Islam, it is also a practice of altruism. In Islam, being altruistic means more than just giving to charity. It’s about making selfless choices every day and showing kindness and compassion to others. It’s not just about helping when you’re supposed to, like giving to charity. Also, Islam encourages people to be generous, thoughtful, and considerate, creating a culture of compassion and goodwill.
In business, some ways businesses can be altruistic in an Islamic framework include being generous and helping those in need. Here are some ways to apply altruism in businesses within an Islamic framework:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
CSR is a strategy for a company to make a positive impact on the community. It is an act of altruism. When businesses do good things like helping the community, protecting the environment, or supporting social causes, it’s like they’re being really kind without just thinking about making profits. This shows that businesses are being altruistic by making an effort to make a positive difference in society and caring about the well-being of the community.
Ethical Business Practices
In order to gain trust from customers and provide a good atmosphere with the people within an organization, being ethical is crucial. Ethical means making honest and fair decisions and doing what’s right instead of focusing on sales and profits. When a business acts ethically, it builds trust with customers who like dealing with a truthful and upfront company. It also makes employees feel important and happy. Ethical practices help a business have a good reputation for being reliable, honest, and caring about the community. This helps the business do well in the long run.
Employee Welfare
Taking care of employees is like showing kindness in business, and it’s an example of altruism. This means giving them fair pay, making sure they have a nice work environment, and giving them chances to grow in their careers. Businesses can also set up programs, trainings and benefits to help employees with things like health or personal issues. When businesses do these, they’re also caring about the well-being of their workers. This makes employees happy, and when they are well taken care of, they can have better job performance. This also brings benefits for the business. It’s like being kind to the people who work hard for the company.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental stewardship means taking care of the planet. This involves doing things in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. Businesses can be good environmental stewards by using eco-friendly practices and making sure their operations are sustainable, which means they don’t use up resources too quickly. They can also help the environment by supporting projects that protect nature and fight against problems like climate change. By doing these things, businesses show they care about the Earth and want to keep it healthy for everyone.
Philanthropic Partnerships
Philanthropic partnerships mean working together with groups that help others, like charities and non-profits. In these partnerships, a business can give a part of its profits or resources to support important social issues. This collaboration aligns with Islamic principles that emphasize giving back. By teaming up with charitable organizations, the business can make a positive impact on the community and follow the idea of generosity in Islam. It’s like businesses and these groups are teaming up to do good things for people who need help.
Altruism, which is not only present in Islamic values but is also practiced by other religions. When businesses practice altruism, it makes the world a better place to live. By applying altruism, businesses can not only practice altruism but also show a commitment to Islamic values and contribute to making society better. It does not only align with Islamic values but also increases the image and reputation of a business.
