Muslim Voice
By Fathiyyah Bashshar

The importance of brotherhood in Islam cannot be over stressed. There are many hadiths relating to the fact the Muslims are a single united body, each part responsible for the other. Accordingly if one of the parts is injured or hurt then the rest of the body immediately feels that pain and is certainly uncomfortable at the situation until it is rectified without delay. The brotherhood of Muslims is a very deep and wide concept that guarantees the safety and well being of the Society at large. Islam being a complete way of life is primarily for the society, it promotes a healthy and a well disciplined life style in every sense of the word.
It is forbidden, for example, for two Muslims to start a whispering conversation in the presence of the third. This might offend the one left out and weaken the Brotherhood. It is not permissible for a Muslim to sever relations with his brother for more than three days.
“   It is sufficient evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother. The life, wealth, and honor of a Muslim are inviolable by another Muslim” [Sahih Muslim]. As Muslims, our faith is not complete, and our worship is not sufficient, until we have built the strong bonds of brotherhood amongst ourselves. This fact is frequently forgotten by many Muslims, and these bonds are broken over minor disputes and arguments. This article discusses the importance of brotherhood in Islam, with evidence from the Quran, Sunnah.
Brotherhood in the light of Holy Quran:
Islam also teaches brotherhood with regard to the original parentage. As far as their earthly origin is concerned, they are all descendants of the first pair of human being. So, the original common parentage is that of Adam and Eve and to this parentage, every human being belongs and of it he partakes.
“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 is one who fears him .Lo! Allah is Knower Aware” Al-Hujurat [49.13]    However, Islam also teaches us another important aspect of our faith, which are the manners of how to deal with others. These manners are often neglected by Muslims. Unfortunately, it is all too common to find Muslims who perform their prayers and fasting perfectly, yet they lack the basic etiquettes taught to us by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). We as Muslims need to perfect both our worship and our manners in order to be successful and gain the pleasure 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.
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 a 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 which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) preached and practiced. Islam establishes human brotherhood on the basis of faith. The brotherhood of Muslims is a very deep and wide concept that guarantees the safety and the well being of the society at large. For example, a Muslim is not really a believer if he eats his full while ignoring the plight of hungry neighbor.
Ibn Abbas reported Allah’s Messenger (May peace be upon him) as saying: the person who eats his full and the neighbor in his surroundings is hungry is not Muslim” Thus, the Islamic concept of brotherhood is a blessing for us. It remained the greatest asset of Muslims in the past and it helped us a lot in order to overcome our difficulties. We get united against our enemies. The feeling of brotherhood is an essential prerequisite for unity. It shuns turmoil, turbulence, strife and dissension. But in the present era, the spirit of brotherhood is found absent among Muslims. Perhaps, never before in history has the Ummah been so aloof to the sufferings of their Muslim brethren as they are today.
In short, if we want to regain our lost glory we should forget our self-made differences and be united as we are being directed by Allah in the Holy Quran:
“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 favor on you for ye 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”. Al Imran [3:103]
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 ‘Islamic concept of brotherhood’ throughout the world. The world will InshaAllah be changed into a heavenly place. Where the differences of color, language, race and nationality will get vanished? May Allah guide us to the Straight path?
Ameen!