Islam is a religion of peace that lays great emphasis upon mutual understanding and love among fellow Muslims. Great stress is laid upon the unity and development of brotherhood among fellow Muslim brothers. In the eyes of Allah, all Muslims are equal and no superiority is given to anyone on the basis of colour, caste, and creed. All historical experiences and also the holy sources of Islam urge us to establish unity and develop close ties and improve cooperation amongst ourselves as Muslims. 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.” (Surat Ali Imran 3:103)
The entire world is a brotherhood of Allah’s people. Love and being loved is the wisdom that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) preached and practised. Islam establishes human brotherhood based on faith. The level of fraternity consists of purifying the heart of all enmity, hatred, and resentment towards those who have faith, including for the just predecessors of Islam. Allah says:
وَمَن يُطِعِ اللّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَـئِكَ رَفِيقًا
“All who obey Allah and the apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,- of the prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of Truth), the witnesses (who testify), and the Righteous (who do good): Ah! what a beautiful fellowship.” (Quran 4:69)
Islam always gives prominence to living together in unity. Islam is the only religion that promotes unity and solidarity among Muslims. Islamic injunctions are valuable to establish peace and security. Islam also enjoins adopting moderation in every sphere of life.
Things you can do to develop a culture of Muslim unity:
- Muslim never charges of infidelity, heresy, and misguidance
- Muslims should be secure from the enmity of the desires
- Muslim secure the heart from every type of enmity
- Muslim over another Muslim is covered his faults
- Muslim should acknowledge his brothers’ merits
- Muslim brother except what he loves for himself
- Muslims should fulfil the rights of brotherhood
- Muslims should forgiveness and tolerance
- Muslims never turn away from each other
- Muslims should have empathy and care
- Muslims should love each other
- Muslims never hate each other
- Muslim love for each other
- Muslims have empathy and care
- Muslim should have a pure heart
- Muslims is a brothers to one another
- Muslims should love for the Sake of Allah
- Muslims are entitled to a religious community
- Muslim should brotherhood on the social level
- Muslim never hatred and malice towards them
- Muslim could help due to a bond of brotherhood
- Muslims should realize the rules of disagreement
- Muslims should be servants of Allah like brothers
- Muslim should brotherhood on the individual level
- Muslim has greeting of peace in the right of brotherhood
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. The Muslim Brotherhood is not based on economic interests, race or colour. It is based on something infinitely superior which is a rejection of the lie and acceptance of the truth as revealed by Allah. Allah says:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islam). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.” (Surah 49: Ayah 10)
The strongest level of brotherhood is the sense of community, friendship, and common purpose in Islam for the sake of Allah. 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:
وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“And He (has) put affection between their hearts. If you (had) spent whatever (is) in the earth all you could not (have) put effect between their hearts, but Allah (has) put affection between them. Indeed, He (is) All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:63)
A Muslim intercede for his problems, respond to his sneeze, refuse his misguided advice, protect him and does not take him as an enemy, support him against his oppressors, restrain him from oppressing others, not surrender him, not abandon him, and love for him what he loves for himself and to hate for him what he hates for himself. The Muslim Brotherhood is not based on economic interests, race or colour.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “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 selves, if ye speak the truth.” (Surah Al-Imran, 168)
- “O, my Lord! I have power only over myself and my brother: so separate us from this rebellious people!” (Surah Al-Maida, 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)
- “And they prefer (the Muhajirin) above themselves though poverty becomes there a lot.” (Al-Hasher.59:9)
- “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)
Brotherhood in Islam is a comprehensive 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. 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. Allah says:
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُن فِتْنَةٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ
“And those who disbelieve, some of them (are) allies (to) another. If not you do it, (there) will be oppression in the earth and corruption great.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:73)
Islam teaches the lesson of brotherhood between Muslims which we can say the Muslim Brotherhood. The cooperation that the Muslims will undertake in scientific, economic and political areas is the most significant foundation which will save them from the disasters that they are experiencing. When we help our brothers and sisters in Islam, in reality, we are helping ourselves. The feeling of brotherhood is mandatory for unity. Allah says:
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
“And to Aad (We sent) their brother Hud. He said, “O my people! Worship Allah, not for you any god other than Him. Then will not you consciously revere (Allah).” (Surah Al-A`raf 7:65)
May Allah SWT always gives us His blessing in every of our relationship. The feeling of brotherhood is obligatory for the unit. And it is only possible if we act upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet (SAW), especially in this regard. May Allah guide us to the Straight Path. Ameen!
