Thursday, April 17, 2025
Divine Generosity vs. Human Miserliness: A Multidisciplinary Exploration
By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof, New Age Islam
17 April 2025
The Quranic verse 17:100 presents a profound critique of human nature, contrasting human selfishness with divine abundance. It states that if humans were entrusted with the "treasuries of the mercy of my Lord," they would withhold them out of fear, underscoring humanity’s innate tendency toward miserliness. This verse has long served as both a theological beacon and a point of departure for debates on resource distribution across history. In this essay, drawing on insights from psychology, evolutionary biology, economics, philosophy, and anthropology, we aim to demonstrate that integrating these perspectives can lead to practical interventions that nurture a generous, divine-like disposition in human society.
The Psychology of Scarcity and Fear
The Quran’s assertion that humans hoard resources due to fear finds strong support in psychological research on the scarcity mind-set. Mullainathan and Shafir (2013) demonstrate that perceived lack triggers cognitive tunnelling, where individuals fixate on immediate survival at the expense of long-term cooperation. This is evidenced in experiments such as the Dictator Game, where participants consistently allocate fewer resources to others than rationality or fairness would dictate. Recent neuroimaging and behavioural economics studies further illustrate how scarcity can constrain cognitive flexibility and decision-making processes, reinforcing short-term self-interest.
Moreover, attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969) suggests that early experiences of deprivation foster lifelong insecurities, reinforcing possessive behaviours. However, it is important to note that factors such as cultural background and individual differences might moderate these effects. The Quranic depiction of God’s mercy as boundless challenges this mind-set by urging a shift from anxiety-driven accumulation to trust in abundance—an idea that finds echoes in contemporary therapeutic practices such as mindfulness and gratitude interventions.
This psychological foundation of scarcity and fear sets the stage for examining how these tendencies intersect with our evolutionary heritage, economic behaviours, and moral philosophies.
Evolutionary Roots of Selfishness and Altruism
From an evolutionary perspective, selfishness can be seen as a survival mechanism. Dawkins’ (1976) concept of the "selfish gene" posits that organisms naturally prioritize genetic propagation. Yet, the concept of reciprocal altruism (Trivers, 1971) shows that cooperation evolves when mutual benefits outweigh individual costs. For instance, hunter-gatherer societies thrived by sharing resources, ensuring collective survival during times of scarcity. Furthermore, emerging theories such as group selection or multi-level selection offer nuanced insights into how both selfish and altruistic behaviours coevolve, illustrating that altruism can be an adaptive strategy in certain environmental contexts.
The Quran’s critique mirrors this duality: while humans might instinctively hoard due to evolutionary pressures, societies flourish when they embody a spirit of divine generosity. Empirical evidence from contemporary anthropological studies reinforces this view, highlighting communities where collective sharing practices have directly contributed to social resilience.
Economic Models: From Zero-Sum to Abundance
The verse implicitly critiques zero-sum thinking—the belief that resources are finite and must be monopolized. In contrast, modern economics often challenges this perspective. Keynesian models emphasize wealth circulation, while game theory (Axelrod, 1984) demonstrates that cooperative strategies, such as Tit-for-Tat, can lead to superior long-term outcomes compared to short-sighted, self-interested defection. Historical examples, such as the post-war Marshall Plan, illustrate how equitable distribution of resources can foster innovation and economic growth.
Key economic concepts such as zero-sum dynamics, post-growth economics, and cooperative game theory should be clearly defined for interdisciplinary audiences to enhance clarity and accessibility. Additionally, while theoretical models provide important insights, it is crucial to recognize that real-world complexities sometimes limit the straightforward application of these models, necessitating a careful balance between theory and practice.
Philosophical Ethics: Beyond Hobbesian Self-Interest
Philosophical debates on generosity have long contrasted the self-interested view of human nature with ideals of moral duty. Hobbes (1651) famously depicted humans as brutish and self-serving, thereby necessitating social contracts to enforce cooperation. In contrast, Kant (1785) argued that rational agents should act out of duty, embodying generosity not from fear but from principled commitment.
To enrich this discussion, modern ethical theories, such as care ethics and contemporary interpretations of virtue ethics, can be incorporated. These perspectives offer additional insights into how generosity can be cultivated as a moral habit in both personal and societal contexts. The Quran’s call to embody divine generosity resonates with these ethical frameworks by suggesting that repeated acts of kindness—whether driven by duty or collective welfare—can reshape character and societal norms.
Cultural and Anthropological Insights
Anthropological research further underscores that gift-giving in many traditional societies is not merely transactional but a moral obligation integral to communal life (Mauss, 1925). For instance, by examining non-Western and indigenous cultures, we can see a diverse range of practices that emphasize communal sharing and reciprocal generosity—an insight that broadens the cultural scope of this analysis. In contrast, modern capitalist systems often incentivize hoarding and individualism, thereby exacerbating miserliness.
Highlighting additional examples, such as indigenous resource-sharing traditions in Latin America or community-oriented practices in Southeast Asia, can deepen the multicultural analysis and illustrate how these insights might inform policy reforms elsewhere. The Quran’s message thus serves as both a theological ideal and a social blueprint, suggesting that trust in divine abundance can counteract prevailing cultural narratives that prioritize personal gain over collective well-being.
Toward a Generous Civilization
The multidisciplinary analysis of the Quranic verse 17:100 reveals a compelling truth: while human miserliness may be deeply ingrained due to psychological, evolutionary, and economic factors, it is not an unalterable fate. This essay demonstrates that through targeted cultural, ethical, and systemic interventions, societies can cultivate an abundance mind-set that mirrors divine generosity.
To translate theory into practice, policymakers and community leaders might consider implementing educational programs that emphasize gratitude and mindfulness, designing social policies that promote wealth circulation and equitable resource distribution, and fostering community initiatives that celebrate collective well-being. Moreover, future research should continue to explore the intersections of these disciplines, further illuminating pathways to a more generous civilization.
Bibliography
Axelrod, R. The evolution of cooperation. New York: Basic Books, 1984.
Bowlby, J. Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. New York: Basic Books, 1969.
Dawkins, R. The selfish gene. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1976.
Mauss, M. The gift: The form and reason for exchange in archaic societies (W. D. Halls, Trans.). London: Routledge, 1925. (Original work published 1925)
Mullainathan, S., & Shafir, E. Scarcity: Why having too little means so much. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2013.
Nowak, M. A., & Highfield, R. Super Cooperators: Altruism, evolution, and why we need each other to succeed. New York: Free Press, 2011.
Trivers, R. L. (1971). The evolution of reciprocal altruism. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 46(1), 35–57. https://doi.org/10.1086/406755
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V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar specializing in Islamic humanism. With a deep commitment to advancing Quranic hermeneutics that prioritize human well-being, peace, and progress, his work aims to foster a just society, encourage critical thinking, and promote inclusive discourse and peaceful coexistence. He is dedicated to creating pathways for meaningful social change and intellectual growth through his scholarship.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/divine-generosity-human-miserliness/d/135196
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism
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