Tradition

"تَفَضَّلْ عَلَى مَنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ أَمِيرَهُ، وَاسْتَغْنِ عَمِّنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ نَظِيْرَهُ، وَافْتَقِرٌ إلى مَنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ أَسِيْرَهُ"

Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is narrated to have said: “Do good towards whomever you like and you will rule over them. Be self-sufficient over whomever you like and you will become equal to them. And be dependent on whomever you like and you will become their slave.”

Brief Commentary

When it comes to the social interactions of people, this is a rule which holds completely true in regards to their relationships with one another. Those who consistently give are always at an advantage, while those who consistently receive are always at a disadvantage. This also applies to nations as well, for if a nation is one that primarily receives from others, then it is treated much as an inferior and slave.

Those nations that give are treated as the masters and leaders of those who receive. A true Muslim is one who establishes a social relationship with others based on both giving and receiving, and not simply based on one of these aspects. Those who receive aid should be those who are disabled and truly unable to work or provide for themselves.