Altruism and Social Cohesion: An Islamic Perspective of Charitable Acts for Sustainable Development

Mohammad Jaber Thalgi

doi:10.32350/jitc.142.04

Mohammad Jaber Thalgi Department of Islamic Studies, Yarmouk University, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8753-4878

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32350/jitc.142.04

Keywords: altruism, Islamic Perspective, Islamic Education, sustainable development, social relationships, social harmony

Abstract

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This study aims to explore the role of altruism in Islam and its impact on achieving sustainable development goals. It highlights altruism as a catalyst for fostering positive Islamic social relationships and its significant role in promoting societal peace. The current research explores the topic from two key perspectives: Islam's comprehensive framework for social harmony, which serves as the foundation for social charity, and it’s encouraging charitable actions through socioeconomic and educational means. Thus, by using a historical method to review previous studies, the research focuses on faith, legislation, and diversity in Islam. The emphasis is on promoting social peace through conflict resolution, positive communication, justice advocacy, and recognizing diversity as a social asset. The study also examines the role of Islam in combating poverty, emphasizing aid to needy people as a required act of worship. Additionally, it analyzes the Islamic economic system’s balance between individual property rights and wealth distribution. The paper outlines educational strategies within families, mosques, and schools to foster charitable attitudes and behaviours among students. The study further underscores a series of Islamic principles that place charity at the core of social relationships, spanning familial, social, economic, and educational dimensions, which are crucial in meeting sustainable development goals. The results show Islam's approach towards human behaviour, centralizing altruism in its teachings. Through its intellectual, moral, and legal systems, Islam promotes social harmony, peace, and cooperation, urging preventive measures against conflict while emphasizing education in fostering charitable values in families, mosques, and schools.

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