By Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen

                  DURING a recent youth camp organised by the Institute of Islamic
                  Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) at Port Dickson, Wan Mohd Hafizam Wan
                  Ismail, who donated a fifth of his liver to a dying baby Mohd Afiq a few months
                  back, made a very interesting statement.

                  He said: "I am not an organ donor. I am an organ sharer."

                  Wan Hafizam has a valid point.

                  He now "shares" his liver with another person in order to save his life. What the
                  23 year-old youth did has been well-documented and well-publicised by both
                  the print and electronic media but it is the notion of "sharing" that is worth
                  looking at here.

                  In case of Wan Hafizam, he shares a liver, a vital organ with another person.

                  Sharing an organ may not be everyone's cup of tea.

                  Not everybody is willing or is able to do this.

                  In reality, there are many other things in life that require sharing, both tangible
                  and intangible. It could be sharing a room or a meal, knowledge or experience.

                  Mankind does not live in isolation. We live in a community.

                  The smallest community is no doubt the family. No one in the right mind can
                  live without having to depend as well as co-operate with other people.

                  The fictitious Robinson Crusoe has his Friday.

                  Even Datuk Azhar Mansor who sailed around the world on his own kept in touch
                  with his family and others through satellite communications and e-mails.

                  If we look around today, we will find the reality of the pre-21st Century
                  somewhat depressing.

                  Individualism and egoism seem the order of the day.

                  In life, we have to give and take. We have to learn to tolerate each other's
                  idiosyncrasy. No one is perfect in terms of character.

                  Hence, we have to accept this reality and adjust accordingly.

                  After all, we are sharing this world with others. It does not belong to one person
                  alone.

                  The world has been created for all mankind to develop, care for and look after.

                  This is part and parcel of the duties assigned to mankind as the khalifah of God
                  on this planet.

                  God has mentioned in verse 61 of surah Hud in the Holy Quran to the effect
                  that: "It is He who hath produced you from the earth and settled you therein (to
                  make it prosper)."

                  Being able to share what little we have with others is a sign of humility on our
                  part.

                  Being concerned with other people's hardship is an indication of iman.

                  During the youth programme Mahrajan Remaja Rabbani the participants were
                  introduced to the concept of moral intelligence.

                  One of the characteristics of moral intelligence is to put others before one's self.

                  This is very much in tandem with the definition of "altruism" or "unselfishness."

                  In today's society, this aspect is very much lacking.

                  When we get on a crowded bus for example, how often do we see people giving
                  up their seats for the elderly?

                  This is just one very simple illustration of an oft-quoted example of individualism
                  and selfishness.

                  The best time to instil this positive trait is from a very young age.

                  The Malay proverb melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya rings true in this
                  instance.

                  Childhood is the best time to imbue positive values. The best teachers are no
                  doubt parents and the best method is undoubtedly by examples.

                  Children who see their parents practise what they preach would no doubt be
                  easily influenced to follow and consequently inculcate those characteristics
                  they observe from their parents.

                  Many people think that lectures and talks are the best way to inculcate positive
                  values.

                  However, when participants of the Mahrajan Remaja Rabbani were asked about
                  this, they almost unanimously believed that leadership by example was the
                  best way.

                  There is no point talking about the importance of punctuality, for instance, if
                  parents themselves do not practise it.

                  If parents are always on time, the children will automatically follow suit as they
                  can "see" the virtue of punctuality.

                  This probably explains why many participants were thrilled to meet Wan Mohd
                  Hafizam and to talk to him in person.

                  What is more important is seeing a living example of selflessness.

                  When it comes to practising altruism, it is easier said than done. Perhaps it is
                  worth noting a hadith related by Al-Tabrani in which the Prophet of Islam said:
                  "Three acts that can strengthen brotherhood with your brothers are uttering the
                  salam when meeting him, reserving a seat for him in a majlis (function) and
                  calling him by a name he is comfortable with."

                  In another hadith, the Prophet said: "A person's iman is not complete until he
                  loves (and cares for) his brother as much as he loves (and cares for) himself."

                  Today, people are becoming more individualistic. The "I" mentality has taken
                  over from the "we" way of thinking.

                  Many people will no doubt put themselves before others. This is very much in
                  contrast with the true teachings of Islam.

                  For example, in Islam, it is even sinful for a person to ignore his hungry
                  neighbour when he has enough food to share.

                  It is sometimes saddening to see people with academic intelligence who lack
                  moral intelligence.

                  Some with high academic prowess seem unable to consider other's happiness
                  before their own.

                  The more knowledge one has, the more humble one should become. However,
                  some become more arrogant and selfish instead.

                  It all comes back to sharing. If we can share whatever little we have, then many
                  problems in this world can be solved. Of course, this is idealistic and to a
                  certain extent, unrealistic.

                  While this may be the case, we have to remember the apophthegm that in a
                  society, no man is an island. We rely and depend on others and vice versa.
                  That is how a community survives.

                  If we open our eyes to other people's plights, then our hearts would be open to
                  help them.

                  We do not lose anything by sharing. On the contrary, we gain more from
                  sharing.

                  Shaikh Mohd Saifuddeen is a research officer with the Institute of Islamic
                  Understanding, Malaysia.