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Unselfishness - one of the best attributes a person could have. The word 'unselfish' is described as an adjective, meaning 'putting the general good or the needs or interests of others first.' The characteristic of selfishness is just the opposite, described as an excessive and destructive expression of self-interest. Alas, I can unfortunately say that in my lifetime, I have met more than my share of just the opposite, an amass of selfish people! They seem to be everywhere. I'm convinced that human beings are inclined to be selfish. Have you ever observed children at play? They tend to be selfish don't they? Hence they have to be taught the social graces of sharing and not to be self-centered. Yes, they/we have to be taught to be unselfish; it certainly is not an attribute we want to go through life with. I quote "A narcissist society, in which each person is busy looking out for number one, can build neither brotherhood nor community." How true, selfishness is not a progressive element at all.

On Monday, 13th October, at Bermuda's National Stadium, I had the distinct honour and esteemed privilege to witness the declaration of Bermuda's first National Hero, in that of Dame Lois M. Browne-Evans. This lady is the epitome of unselfishness. Not only did she fight for the rights and liberties of citizens and residents of Bermuda, but she was a family woman as well, taking care of the needs of her husband, children, grandchildren, even her elderly parents and relatives. Indeed, Dame Browne-Evans was a person of exemplary character and we would do well to acquire her beautiful giving spirit. Imagine the benefits of our unselfish contributions to our families, our organizations, our churches, our schools, our country, ourselves if we follow her example. Sir Winston Churchill said "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

In Islam, the Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw) was an unselfish man. There are many stories of events when his unselfish characteristic was displayed. Whenever the Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw) received anything, he did not sit in peace until it was shared with others. Umm al-Momineen Um Salamah, reported that one day the Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw) came home looking disturbed. She asked him what the matter was. He replied that the seven dinars (coins) he had received the day before had remained on the bed until evening and had not been distributed. He did not rest until they were given away. Such a generous spirit was his.

It is better for us to be unselfish as Allah rewards the unselfish, for example in the following hadiths: "A generous person is close to Allah, close to Paradise, close to people, and far from Hell. However, a miserly person is far from Allah, far from Paradise, far from people, but close to Hell. Allah loves more an ignorant man who is generous than a worshipper who is miserly."(Tirmidhi.) "Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) related that the Noble Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "The best men in view of faith is the most openhanded."

As we can see from the above that unselfishness and generosity are most beloved by God, hence the unselfish are surely in His favour, whilst the selfish and I quote "One way or another, the selfish will be shattered, whimpering, against the jagged, concrete consequences of their selfishness."

So to be selfish is really self-destructive as in the end they are the losers.

Allah (swt) gives back to us ten-fold when we are unselfish: "Verily, as for men and women who accept the Truth as true, and who offer up unto Allah a goodly loan, they will be amply repaid, and shall have a noble reward [in the Life to Come]." [al-Hadid 57: 12-18]. Ameen.

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