Islam has given us a clear definition of unity and brotherhood and how it can be realized and implemented. The uniting factor is the `Aqeedah (creed) of Islam which defines the belief of a Muslim. Islam also teaches brotherhood with regard to the original parentage. Allah says:

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا

“Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. Remember the favour of Allah upon you, when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by his favour.” (Surah Al Imran 3:103)

Islam also teaches brotherhood with regard to the original parentage. Brotherhood in Islam is a comprehensive concept that is based on a good character with others, treating others the way we want to be treated, and uniting together upon common values. Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

“Only the believers (are) brothers, so make peace between your brothers, you consciously revere (Allah) and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10)

According to Islam, all human beings have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason, belong to one great brotherhood. Unlike other bonds (nationalistic, patriotic, etc.) which are superficial, animalistic, reactive, emotional, and completely devoid of a real solution for life’s affairs, the intellectuality of the ideological bond of Islam unites man irrespective of their race, nationality, and other factors which are irrelevant when it comes to bonding on an ideological creed. Allah says:

يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْأَنفَالِ قُلِ الْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

“They ask you about the spoils of war. Say, “The spoils of war (are) for Allah and the Messenger. So consciously revere Allah and set right that (which is) between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you are believers.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:1)

As the teachings of Islam clearly, show us that Brotherhood and unity in Islam are based solely on the `Aqeedah of Islam’ (which is the foundation of Muslim belief). The Muslim Brotherhood is the basis of a good Muslim society and making friends among Muslims paves the way for better understanding and building a better Muslim community. Allah says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

“The believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 10)

Human beings today are lonely as we have never been before. We live in a crowded world, but many of us feel very, very alone. When we help our brothers and sisters in Islam, in reality, we are helping ourselves. When we pray for them, the angels pray for us. Fulfilling the rights of brotherhood in Islam is a means for Allah to support us and reward us in the Hereafter. Failing our brothers and sisters in Islam results in Allah withdrawing this support.

Brotherhood in Islam we should know, to encourage us to create a strong bond between Muslims:

1. To purify the heart from hatred, malice, and animosity
2. To be united luminescence of Allah’s SWT blessing
3. Following Allah’s SWT Command in the Holy Quran
4. Every Muslim are related as brothers and sisters
5. Brotherhood build a powerful religion and faith
6. To assist Muslims according to one’s capacity
7. To see and feel the unity and bonds Muslims
8. Unity in brotherhood protects the Muslims
9. To help another Muslim from oppression
10. Brothers can stand up one to another
11. One of the important goals in life
12. A Proves of the similarity of Faith
13. A Strong Manifestation of Unity
14. It is the right of every Muslim
15. Islam is the source of unity
16. It’s an unbreakable relationship
17. To create allies between believers
18. To learn to treat we want to be treated
19. The closest bond possible in a lifetime
20. Islam is to receive mercy from Allah SWT
21. To remind not to commit disobeying Allah
22. The reconciliation between Muslim brothers
23. The strong bonds brothers alert to the enemy
24. Islam calls unity in a brotherhood of good deeds
25. Muslim could help due to a bond of brotherhood
26. The brotherhood helped to on the Day of Judgement
27. A close bond human is a natural medicine for health
28. Unity between brothers stronger under the flag of Islam

One of the greatest blessings of Islam is its admirable success in creating strong, warm, rich and durable bonds of love and brotherhood between human beings which no other religion has ever dreamed of. The level of brotherhood involves purifying the heart of all enmity, hatred, and grudge for those who have faith, including for the righteous predecessors of Islam, those who believed in the previous prophets, and the general masses of believers throughout all of history. Allah says:

لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ ۗ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

“…so through the Companions, Allah may enrage the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah Al-Fath 48:29)

Love is the basic food for wholesome life. Islam is the religion of love and affection. The entire world is a brotherhood of Allah’s people. Love and be loved is the wisdom that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) preached and practised. Islam establishes human brotherhood on the basis of faith.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

• “The Mu’minoon are but a single Brotherhood.” (Quran, 49:10)
• “And among His signs is the creation of heavens and earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours, verily in that are the signs for those who know.” (Quran, 30:22)
• “Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).” (Al-Anbiya – 21:92)
• “If only they had listened to us they would not have been slain.” Say: “Avert death from your own selves, if ye speak the truth.” (Surah Al-Imran, 168)
• “O, my Lord! forgive me and my brother! admit us to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!” (Surah Al-Araf, 151)
• “O, my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother: so separate us from this rebellious people!” (Surah Al-Maida, 25)
• “Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect-” (Surah Al-Araf, 111)

Having a close relationship between brothers is one of the basic needs of humans because as long as we lived, we would always need the assistance of another person. Remember to always be kind to everyone, because we never know whose help we will need someday. Let us all be brothers and sisters regardless of religion, faiths, beliefs, and race. Allah says:

وَإِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاتَّقُونِ

“And indeed this, your nation, (is) a nation singular/apart And I Am your Lord, so consciously revere Me.” (Surah Al-Muminun 23:52)

Among the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are that he cover his faults, forgive his mistakes, have mercy for his errors, overlook his missteps, reject his backbiting, always give him sincere advice, preserve his good traits, guard his covenants, answer his invitations, accept his guidance, repay his gifts, show gratitude for his favours, assist him in the best manner, fulfil his needs.  Allah says:

يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُمْ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ

“He wants to drive you out from your land, so what (do) you instruct?” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:110)

Human beings today are lonely as we have never been before. We live in a crowded world, but many of us feel very, very alone. Unless human bonds are again infused with affection and warmth of love and brotherhood, we will never be able to taste the rich joys and pleasures of living together. Allah says:

وَإِخْوَانُهُمْ يَمُدُّونَهُمْ فِي الْغَيِّ ثُمَّ لَا يُقْصِرُونَ

“But their brothers they plunge them in the error, then not they cease.” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:202)

We should promote brotherhood so that we can portray the true and best picture of the Islamic religion to the world so that non-Muslims would adopt this faith much more readily because they would see the fruits of this faith in its enthusiast. The feeling of brotherhood is mandatory for unity. May Allah help us to establish the true spirit of brotherhood by forgetting our so-called differences.