Understanding the All Encompassing Brotherhood in Islam

Understanding the All Encompassing Brotherhood in Islam!

One of the greatest achievements of Islam is its success in creating a strong bond of love, affection and a sense of brotherhood amongst believers.

For the first time in history, Islam created a faith-based community and brought together millions of Muslims all over the world – each of them having different nationalities and languages; and united them as being brothers (and sisters) of one another; the Umma.

Brotherhood in Islam is an embodiment of strong unity, friendship, a sense of community and a common purpose in living divine values.

Universal Brotherhood in the light of the Holy Quran

Islam gave birth to a true spirit of universal brotherhood by shunning differences of race, colour, language, and nationality.  

The following verse of the Glorious Qur’an signifies that the entire human race has originated from a single pair of male and female (Adam and Eve) and hence belongs to one single brotherhood. Islam preaches that the all mankind is one big family. Anyone who is righteous, pious and God-conscious, is honoured in the sight of Allah (SWT).

“O, mankind! Surely we have created you of a male and female and make you tribes and families that you know each other, surely the noblest among you unto Allah (SWT) is one who fears him. Lo! Allah (SWT) is Knower Aware” ~ Al-Hujurat [49.13]

Universal Brotherhood in the light of the Holy Quran

Allah (SWT) describes the believers as being brothers. “The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” ~ Surat al-Hujurat 49:10

Brotherhood in the light of Hadith

The importance of brotherhood in Islam is further emphasized in the hadith. For instance, Abu Musa mentioned the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as saying, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each one strengthening the other,” and the Prophet clasped his fingers together. ~ Ṣaḥih al-Bukhari 467

Brotherhood in Islam is a very deep and comprehensive concept that ensures the safety and the well-being of society at large. A Muslim can’t be a true believer if he enjoys his blessings and ignores the plight of his neighbors.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once stated, “A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbour is hungry.” ~ al-Sunan al-Kubrá 19049. It is this piety that mandates charity by way of Zakat and commends sharing by way of Sadaqah.

A Muslim’s faith depends upon his attitude towards other believers. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) reiterated, “None of you has Iman (faith) until he desires for his brother (or sister) Muslim that which he desires for himself (or herself).” ~ (Bukhari and Muslim)

Brotherhood in Islam

Similarly, it is considered unacceptable for a Muslim to look down upon his brother. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “It is sufficient evil for a Muslims that he looks down upon his brother.”

This kind of brotherhood involved getting rid of all animosity, malice and hatred for those who have faith in the Islamic religion.

“Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, do not turn away from each other, but rather be servants of Allah as brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to boycott his brother for more than three days.” ~ Ṣaḥih al-Bukhari 5718

Ali ibn Abi Talib reported the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as saying, “A Muslim has six rights over another Muslim regarding good conduct: to greet him with peace when he meets him, to respond to his invitation, to respond to his sneeze, to visit him when he is sick, to follow his funeral prayer when he dies, and to love for him what he loves for himself.” ~ Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2736

Brotherhood in the Early Years of Islam

The unique feeling of brotherhood first manifested in Medina (المدينة Madinah); the second holiest city of Islam. During the time of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Medina was plagued with differences, enmity and hatred. Two groups Ansars (the local inhabitants of Medina) and Muhajirun (those who emigrated with him from Mecca to Medina) were at loggerheads and considered themselves superior to each other. The Muhajirun had to abandon their wealth and property when they emigrated from Mecca (Makkah) to Medina and were living in extreme poverty.

In order to provide for the refugees; the Holy Prophet (PBUH) single-handedly instituted a pact of brotherhood between the Ansars (Helpers) and Muhajirun (Refugees) and said, “(O’ people!) Stand up so that I can make you brothers of one another (in the name of Allah).”

“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you for you were enemies and he joined your hearts in love, so that by his grace, ye become brothers; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it”. ~ Surat Ali Imran (3:103)

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “The Muslims are like a single man. If the eye is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted. If the head is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted.” ~ Ṣaḥih Muslim 2586

This sort of brotherhood which was established among a very small circle of people (helpers and refugees) in Medina went on to become a beacon of hope in the history of the world, growing to encompass Muslims the world over.