Brotherhood in Islam is a concept that is based upon a good character with others, treating others the way we want to be treated, and uniting together upon common values. It has three levels of degree: religion, family, and humanity. Each of these levels has a set of rights and duties that a Muslim must uphold with others. 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. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10)
Human beings today are lonely as we have never been before. The strongest level of brotherhood is the sense of community, friendship, and common purpose in Islam for the sake of Allah. At this level, the believers work together towards fulfilling the goals of the religion and living out its divine values. 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 is a complete code of life for all mankind. Islam has given us a clear indication of brotherhood and unity, and how it can be realized and implemented. Islam directs us toward brotherhood among ourselves. The spirit of the Muslim Brotherhood is the basis for a good Muslim society. And brotherhood factor is the “Aqeedah” (creed) of Islam which defines the belief of a Muslim. The powerful layer of brotherhood is the sense of community, friendship, and common relation in Islam for the sake of Allah.
Here are some ways to strengthen brotherhood among Muslims:
- To purify the heart from hatred, malice, and animosity
- Following Allah’s SWT Command in the Holy Quran
- To be united luminescence of Allah’s SWT blessing
- Every Muslim are related as brothers and sisters
- Islam calls unity in a brotherhood of good deeds
- Brotherhood build a powerful religion and faith
- To assist Muslims according to one’s capacity
- The reconciliation between Muslim brothers
- To see and feel the unity and bonds Muslims
- Unity in brotherhood protects the Muslims
- Islam is to receive mercy from Allah SWT
- To help another Muslim from oppression
- The Closest Bond Possible in Lifetime
- Brothers can stand up one to another
- A Proves of the Similarity of Faith
- One of the Important Goals in Life
- Advise him if he seeks your advice
- Brotherhood on the individual level
- Realizing the rules of disagreement
- Acknowledging your brothers’ merits
- To remind not to commit disobeying Allah
- Visiting the sick and offering prayers for him
- The strong bonds brothers alert to the enemy
- Greeting of peace is the right of brotherhood
- It is necessary to praise Allah for this blessing
- Responsibility to pray for him when he sneezes
- A close bond human is a natural medicine for health
- No one can abandon a brother more than three days
- Giving advice and recommending truth and patience
- Unity between brothers stronger under the flag of Islam
Making brothers among Muslims opens the path toward better compromise and preparing a peaceful Muslim community. The spirit of brotherhood is noble and dignified. We are charged to promote it. Brotherhood conducts huge prosperity in our community and society at large. Allah describes the believers as being brothers. 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-Mu`minun 23:52)
Islam also teaches brotherhood with regard to the original parentage. Islam also teaches brotherhood with regard to the original parentage. Although we use the word “brotherhood,” what we really mean is a faith-based community that includes both men and women as brothers and sisters in religion. At this layer, the believers deed together towards touching the purpose of the religion and living out of its divine values. Allah says:
يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“They say: Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts any resentment toward those who have faith. Our Lord, you are kind and merciful.” (Surah Al-Hashr 59:10)
All mankind is from Adam, and Adam is from the soil, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “Bring unto me a brother ye have, of the same father as yourselves, (but a different mother): see ye not that I pay out full measure, and that I do provide the best hospitality? “ (Surah Yusuf, 59)
- “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-MaÂ’ida, 25)
- “But their brethren (the evil ones) plunge them deeper into error, and never relax (their efforts).” (Surah Al-Araf, 202)
- ”Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect-” (Surah Al-Araf, 111)
The Mu’minoon are believers in one another and this belief has nothing to do with race or any other type of invalid reason to unite but is rather a bond based on an ideological belief in Islam. 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:
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
“Indeed, this (is) your religion – religion one, and I Am your Lord, so worship Me.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:92)
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. Allah says:
وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا ۖ وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا ۖ وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ
“If they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in the world with good conduct and follow the way of those who turn back to Me.” (Surat Luqman 31:15)
May Allah give us tawfeeq to establish the spirit of brotherhood and make us one united Ummah bonded with faith, love, affection, and honour. The world will Insha Allah be changed into a heavenly place then. And it is only possible if we act upon the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Speech of Prophet (PBUH) in this matter. May Allah instil in our minds mercy, sympathy, blessings and forgiveness to one and another and guide us to the straightway.
