Islam is the religion of love, peace, and affection. Islam teaches the lesson of brotherhood among Muslims that we can say about the Muslim Brotherhood. 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. Brotherhood is not only based on faith, but it is also part of that faith. Allah says:
يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“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)
Equality, love, and peace among people are encouraged by Islam. The religion refers to all its followers as brothers; the brotherhood of Islam is universal, disregarding the differences of colour, race, and ethnicity. Islam also teaches about fraternity concerning the original relationship to the earthly origin. All are descendants of the same pair of human beings are Adam and Eve. 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)
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. Love is the basic food for wholesome life. Islam is the religion of love and affection. Islam teaches that all humanity is only one family, as such, all men and women are brothers and sisters. 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. 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 Ali Imran 3:103)
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 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:
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give charity and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have mercy upon them, for Allah is Almighty and Wise.” (Surah Al-Tawba 9:71)
Islam also teaches brotherhood about the original parentage. As far as their earthly origin is concerned, they are all descendants of the first pair of human beings. So, the original common parentage is that of Adam and Eve and to this parentage, every human being belongs and of it, he partakes. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ
“O, mankind! Surely we have created you of a male and female and make your tribes and families that you know each other, surely the noblest among you unto Allah is one who fears him. Lo! Allah is Knower Aware.” (Surah al-Hujurat. 49.13)
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 the One True Lord Almighty Allah. Allah says:
“And they prefer (the Muhajirin) above themselves though poverty becomes there a lot.” (Al-Hasher.59:9)
Here is some importance of Brotherhood in Islam:
- A close bond human is a natural medicine for health
- To be united luminescence of Allah’s SWT blessing
- Islam calls unity in a brotherhood of good deeds
- Brotherhood build a powerful religion and faith
- To see and feel the unity and bonds Muslims
- Unity in brotherhood protects the Muslims
- To remind not to commit disobeying Allah
- The closest bond possible in a lifetime
- A proves of the Similarity of Faith
- It’s an unbreakable relationship
- A strong manifestation of unity
- Islam as the source of unity
- To strengthen our Imaan
- It is the right of every Muslim
- Brothers can stand up one to another
- Following Command in the Holy Quran
- Islam is to receive mercy from Allah SWT
- The reconciliation between Muslim brothers
- The strong bonds brothers alert to the enemy
- Muslim could help due to a bond of brotherhood
- The brotherhood helped to on the Day of Judgement
- Unity between brothers stronger under the flag of Islam
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. The feeling of brotherhood is obligatory for the unit. And this is only possible if we act according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (SAW), especially in this regard.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “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 selves, if ye speak the truth.” (Surah Al-Imran, 168)
- “O, mankind! Surely we have created you of a male and female and make your tribes and families that you know each other, surely the noblest among you unto Allah is one who fears him Behold! Allah is Knower Aware.” (Quran, Al-Hujurat (49.13)
- “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-A‘raf, 202)
- “But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practice regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.” (Surah At-Tawba, 11)
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. May Allah SWT always gives us His blessing in every of our relationship. Islam establishes human brotherhood based on faith. Allah says:
لَّا يَتَّخِذِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ فِي شَيْءٍ إِلَّا أَن تَتَّقُوا مِنْهُمْ تُقَاةً وَيُحَذِّرُكُمُ اللَّهُ نَفْسَهُ وَإِلَى اللَّهِ الْمَصِيرُ
“(Let) not take the believers, the disbelievers (as) allies instead of the believers. And whoever does that, then not he (has) from Allah in anything except that you consciously revere from them, (as) a precaution. And Allah warns you (of) Himself, and to Allah (is) the final return.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:28)
May Allah help us to establish the true spirit of brotherhood by forgetting our so-called differences. And it is only possible if we act upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and Holy Prophet especially in this regard. Let us step forward to promote the ‘Islamic concept of brotherhood’ throughout the world. The world will Inshallah be changed into a heavenly place. Where the differences of colour, language, race, and nationality will get vanished. May Allah guide us to the Straight Path. Ameen!