Brotherhood in Islam!
As Muslims, our faith is not complete, and our worship is not sufficient, until we have built the strong bonds of brotherhood amongst ourselves. This fact is frequently forgotten by many Muslims, and these bonds are broken over minor disputes and arguments.
This concept of brotherhood is emphasized in the Quran and in the Sunnah, and through the practical actions of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). This brotherhood that is established by Islam places upon us certain rights and responsibilities that we must fulfill towards our Muslim brothers.
Before we proceed any further, it must be made clear to anyone reading this that although we use the term "brotherhood" in this article, it is meant to encompass both genders, and to include sisterhood between Muslim sisters as well.
The first important point to note is that this brotherhood between believers was established by Allah (swt) Himself, in the Quran: "Believers are indeed brothers" (Al-Hujurat, verse 10)
Allah (swt) also tells us in the Quran how important this brotherhood between the believers is: "And adhere to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not be divided..." (Al-Imran, 103).
Allah (swt) also says in the Quran: "The believers, both men and women, are awlia (helpers, supporters, allies) to each other." (Al- Tawbah, 71) Allah (swt) warns us against disunity, and how being divided and having disputes with each other will result in failure and loss: "Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another, otherwise you will fail and lose your strength. Have patience - Allah is with those who are patient." (Al-Anfal, 46)
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another." (Sahih Muslim). He also said: "You will not be a believer until you love for your brother what you love for yourself" (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
In fact, this feeling of love and brotherhood between the Muslims brings us joy in our life as well. It will give us this wonderful feeling of the sweetness of faith, a feeling of true pleasure and satisfaction. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "There are three things that if one has them, he will find the sweetness of faith. That Allah and His messenger be more beloved to him than anything else, that he love a person for no reason other than for the sake of Allah, and to hate to go back to disbelief as much as he hates to be thrown into fire." (Sahih Al- Bukhari)
Our love for our Muslim brothers should extend beyond just feelings. It should be manifested in our actions as well. This brotherhood should push us to help each other in any way we can, and to push ourselves very hard to help our brothers. If we do this, Allah (swt) will reward us greatly, as Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said:
"... and whoever shields the faults of a Muslim, Allah will shield his faults in this world and the hereafter, and Allah will help and support his servant as long as he is helping and supporting his brother".
The Prophet also said, "... working to help my Muslim brother is more beloved to me than making I’tikaf in this masjid for a month, and whoever controls his anger, Allah will conceal his faults, and whoever controls his ill feelings, Allah (swt) will fill his heart with contentment on the day of Judgment, and whoever strives to help fulfill a need for his Muslim brother, Allah will make his feet steadfast on the day of Judgment, and bad manners ruin good deeds just like vinegar ruins honey." (Sheikh Al- Albani said it is a sound hadith)
So let us implement this concept of brotherhood in our lives. It is part of our religion, and it is part of our history. It is our identity that defines us as Muslims and as followers of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Let us search for opportunities to help our fellow Muslim brothers. When we hear that one of our brothers needs help or is facing a problem, let us really push ourselves and go out of our way to help.
May Allah (swt) guide us all to implement the concept of brotherhood in our community and amongst each other, and to follow in the footsteps of the companions and the early Muslims who implemented this practically in their lives.
This concept of brotherhood is emphasized in the Quran and in the Sunnah, and through the practical actions of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). This brotherhood that is established by Islam places upon us certain rights and responsibilities that we must fulfill towards our Muslim brothers.
Before we proceed any further, it must be made clear to anyone reading this that although we use the term "brotherhood" in this article, it is meant to encompass both genders, and to include sisterhood between Muslim sisters as well.
The first important point to note is that this brotherhood between believers was established by Allah (swt) Himself, in the Quran: "Believers are indeed brothers" (Al-Hujurat, verse 10)
Allah (swt) also tells us in the Quran how important this brotherhood between the believers is: "And adhere to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not be divided..." (Al-Imran, 103).
Allah (swt) also says in the Quran: "The believers, both men and women, are awlia (helpers, supporters, allies) to each other." (Al- Tawbah, 71) Allah (swt) warns us against disunity, and how being divided and having disputes with each other will result in failure and loss: "Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another, otherwise you will fail and lose your strength. Have patience - Allah is with those who are patient." (Al-Anfal, 46)
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another." (Sahih Muslim). He also said: "You will not be a believer until you love for your brother what you love for yourself" (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
In fact, this feeling of love and brotherhood between the Muslims brings us joy in our life as well. It will give us this wonderful feeling of the sweetness of faith, a feeling of true pleasure and satisfaction. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "There are three things that if one has them, he will find the sweetness of faith. That Allah and His messenger be more beloved to him than anything else, that he love a person for no reason other than for the sake of Allah, and to hate to go back to disbelief as much as he hates to be thrown into fire." (Sahih Al- Bukhari)
Our love for our Muslim brothers should extend beyond just feelings. It should be manifested in our actions as well. This brotherhood should push us to help each other in any way we can, and to push ourselves very hard to help our brothers. If we do this, Allah (swt) will reward us greatly, as Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said:
"... and whoever shields the faults of a Muslim, Allah will shield his faults in this world and the hereafter, and Allah will help and support his servant as long as he is helping and supporting his brother".
The Prophet also said, "... working to help my Muslim brother is more beloved to me than making I’tikaf in this masjid for a month, and whoever controls his anger, Allah will conceal his faults, and whoever controls his ill feelings, Allah (swt) will fill his heart with contentment on the day of Judgment, and whoever strives to help fulfill a need for his Muslim brother, Allah will make his feet steadfast on the day of Judgment, and bad manners ruin good deeds just like vinegar ruins honey." (Sheikh Al- Albani said it is a sound hadith)
So let us implement this concept of brotherhood in our lives. It is part of our religion, and it is part of our history. It is our identity that defines us as Muslims and as followers of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Let us search for opportunities to help our fellow Muslim brothers. When we hear that one of our brothers needs help or is facing a problem, let us really push ourselves and go out of our way to help.
May Allah (swt) guide us all to implement the concept of brotherhood in our community and amongst each other, and to follow in the footsteps of the companions and the early Muslims who implemented this practically in their lives.
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