Egoism
Putting yourself first in every situation — pure selfishness.
Egoism (Ananiyyah)
Egoism is putting yourself first in every situation — a deep-rooted selfishness that makes you the center of your own universe. It is not looking down on others (that's arrogance) — it is simply not seeing them at all.
Definition
Ananiyyah is the disease of "I" — ana, ana, ana. The egoist sees every situation through the lens of "what's in it for me?" They take without giving, speak without listening, and make every conversation about themselves. It corrodes relationships, community, and worship.
Signs of Egoism
- Making every conversation about yourself
- Inability to feel genuine happiness for others' successes
- Expecting others to accommodate your needs without reciprocating
- Giving only when there's something to gain
- Difficulty making sacrifices for family, friends, or community
Islamic Perspective
Allah praises the Ansar: "And they give preference over themselves, even though they are in need." (Al-Hashr 59:9)
The Prophet ﷺ said: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Ithar (selflessness) is the opposite of ananiyyah, and it is one of the highest spiritual stations.
Treatment
- Practice ithar (selflessness): Deliberately put others first in small daily acts
- Give without expectation: Sadaqah purifies the heart from self-centeredness
- Listen more than you speak: Train yourself to be genuinely interested in others
- Serve your community: Volunteer work breaks the ego's grip
- Study the Prophet's character ﷺ: He was the most selfless human being — make his seerah your mirror
- Fast regularly: Hunger and restraint soften the ego and build empathy