Īthār
Definition
Ithar is the highest station of generosity — the deliberate choice to give others priority over oneself in matters of comfort, resources, and opportunity. The Quran praises the Ansar for their ithar: they gave to the Muhajirun who came to them from Makkah even when they themselves were in need. Al-Ghazali presents ithar as the summit of the cure for bukhl: the person who has achieved genuine ithar has so thoroughly overcome the miserly impulse that not only do they give willingly, they give preferentially — they find more satisfaction in another's comfort than in their own, because their ego's claim to priority has been dissolved through years of spiritual discipline.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
Appears in
2 books in the library
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