THE EMERGENCE OF BROTHERHOOD IN ISLAM

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, The Merciful. May His peace and blessings be upon the Noble prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his household, companions and those who believe in him till the day of Resurrection.

Lecture delivered to a group of Muslim brothers on the completion of their dawah week by Adigun Sherif on Saturday May 31,2014 at Ikotun.  

It is well known from the history of the Arabs before the emergence of Islam that they were involved in a lot of tribal wars with one another. Wars of great torture and hatred among various tribes. But when Islam arrives, and those who accepted it accepted it amongst them, they became brothers loving one another by the grace of Allah, assisting one another in good and piety. "... and remember the favour of Allah upon you- when you were enemies and he brought your hearts together and you became, by his favour, brothers and you were on the edge of a pit of the fire, and he saved you from it. thus does Allah make clear to you his verses that you may be guided."(Q3:103) "it is he (Allah) who supported you (Muhammad) with his help and with the believers and brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth you could not have brought their hearts together, but Allah brought them together, Indeed He is Exalted in might and wise. With Islam emerges the strongest brotherhood!

 

THE Islamic brotherhood from history is not based on economic interest, race or colour, it is based on the infinitely superior affair: Rejection of falsehood and acceptance of the truth as revealed by the creator, making it stronger than any other type of relationship, even blood relationships. This was clearly demonstrated by Mus'ab Ibn Umayr (one of the companions of the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and the believers) when he found his blood brother Abu ‘Azeez - who was among those captured during the battle of Badr. Upon reaching Madinah, Abu 'Azeez was lodged with Abu Yusr Al-ansari, and Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr said to Abu Yusr: "Treat him harshly, for his mother is a wealthy woman." Abu 'Azeez said: "Brother is it for you to give this counsel?" "You are not my brother," replied Mus'ab, "my brother is the one who is tying up your hands." [Ibn Hisham] "Indeed the Believers are Brothers"[Al-Hujuraat, verse 10]

Flash back to the three who were on the verge of death in one of the Holy wars fought during the time of the prophet peace be upon him, where they were extremely thirsty. A companion came to them with a jug of water and gave it to the first person, he said: give it to the next person first, he's more in need than I am while he was indeed in need. when it was given to the second person, he also said it should be passed to the third person, Subhaanallah!!! before they could get to the third companion, it was too late!! none of them drank the water before they answered the call of the Almighty!!! they loved one another as much as they loved themselves.

Take a look at the companions of the prophet: The uncle of the prophet, Hamza was an Arab, Salman bn Al- Farsi was a Persian, Bilal was an African from Ethopia, Shuayb was of Europian origin. All these people were from different races, languages, and even continents. yet they were united as brothers by Islam. such harmony has never been achieved by any other religion, law or nation, Even in modern world,

One of the strongest bonds of brotherhood was also held between the Ansaar (helpers) and the Muhaajiroon (Emigrants). They accepted the Muhaajiroon totally to their houses - when they (the Muhaajiroon) have been sent away from their houses and properties - sharing their properties into equal halves, and loving them. "...They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what they (i.e the Emigrants) were given but give them preference over themselves, even though they are in privation..."[Al- Hashr, 9]

However, today, it is a pitiable dismal pismal that the Muslim brotherhood is fading away.  Muslims are refusing to assist one another; leaving the ones in need helplessly; many are dying because there is no one to turn to for their needs; Muslims cannot trust one another anymore; and several others. this is as a result of the lack of proper understanding of Islam for if Islam is properly understood and practiced, strong binding brotherhood will surely exist as it has been in the past generations. This paper, insha Allah, will help highlight some of the ways we can re-strengthen the dwindling brotherhood among the Muslims of today. It is to be noted however, that the term brotherhood is meant to encompass both genders and to include sisterhood between Muslim sisters as well.

Our failure to practice and encourage strong brotherhood among the Muslims will undoubtedly cause our failure and loss. Allah says: "Obey Allah and his messenger and do not dispute with one another,  otherwise you will fail and lose your strength, have patience, Allah is with those who are patient".[Al-Anfaal 46] Also "And do not be among those who associate partners with Allah, (or) of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has [Ar-Rum30: 31-32]

WAYS OF STRENGHTENING BROTHERHOOD

There are several ways of strengthening the Muslim brotherhood which are Mentioned by Allah and his Prophet. Among them are:

·         HOLDING UPON AL-QUR'AN: "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah (the Qur'an) all together and  do not be become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you- when you were enemies and he brought your hearts together and you became, by his favour, brothers and you were on the edge of a pit of the fire, and he saved you from it. thus does Allah make clear to you his verses that you may be guided." (Q 3: 103) the prophet said: "I am leaving you with two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them- they are the book of Allah and my Sunnah-  [Bukhari and Muslim]. The Qur'an is actually what united the Muslims of the past. Can u see that in the verses quoted above? Read all over it once again.

·         CLINGING TO THE SUNNAH OF THE PROPHET:  "Say, [O Muhammad], if you really love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, And Allah is forgiving and merciful."[Ali-Imraan 3: 31] "Say, 'Obey Allah and the Messenger.' But if they turn away- then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers." [Ali-Imraan 3: 32] "and whoever disobeys  Allah and His messenger- then indeed for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein forever."[Al-jinn 72:23]

·         AND UPON THE WAY OF THE RIGHTLY GUIDED CALIPHS: "and whoever opposes the messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers, we will give him what he has taken and drive him into hell, and evil it is as a destination."[nisaa4:115] One day, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم delivered a very effective speech. As a result, eyes shed tears and hearts became softened. A man from among them said: "O prophet of Allah! it sounds as if this is a farewell speech, so advice us." He صلى الله عليه وسلم said " I admonish you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey even if a black slave has been appointed as your leader. For whoever among you lives after me will see much discord, so hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold fast to them. Beware of Bid'ah (innovation in religion) because every Bid'ah is a misguidance" [Abu Daawud and Tirmidhee]

·         PERFORMING ALL ACTS OF WORSHIP IN CONGREGATION: Acts of worship like salaat, fasting, hajj, when done in congregation strengthen our relationship. Establish salaat and pay your zakaat and bow with those who are bowing"[Al-Baqaroh 2:43] A blind man said: O messenger of Allah, I do not have anyone to guide me to the mosque", and thus asked the messenger, may the blessings of Allah be upon him to grant him special permission not to attend congregational prayers (to pray at home). the prophet granted him. but as he was leaving, the messenger of Allah called him and said: do you hear the call? he said: 'yes', the messenger of Allah then said: then answer (I find no excuse for you).[Ahmad]

if the blind man has no excuse to pray in congregation, how can there be an excuse for the one that can see? "whoever hears the call to salaat and does not respond, then there is no solaat for him unless he has a valid excuse". [Abu daawud]

·         STAYING AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS: "And always be with the Righteous" The prophet said: "Stay with the group (of righteous Muslims) for the wolf eats the sheep that strays away from the herd"[Ahmad]

·         SPREADING SALAAM, ACCOMPANYING FUNERAL PROCESSIONS AND ACCEPTING INVITATIONS: "Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim: to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, and to respond to the one that sneezes." [Bukhari & Muslim]

·         VISITING THE SICK: visiting the sick is from the clearest signs of mutual love, mercy and empathy. more than that, visiting the sick is a major responsibility that every single Muslim is duty-bound to fulfil. "On the day of Resurrection, Allah the mighty and majestic will say: O children of Adam! I became sick and you did not visit me! the person will say, O lord, how can I visit you and you are the lord of all that exists! God  will say, " did you not know that my slave so and so became sick, and you did not visit him? did you not know that if you had visited him, you would have found me with him [Sahih Muslim].

·         AVOIDING BACKBITING; we must refrain from initiating or participating in it. Allah says: "O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful." [Al-Hujjurat, 49:12]

·         ENVY AND JEALOUSY: these are also forbidden for they are common causes of problems amongst brothers and sisters. "Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him. O the slave of Allah! Be like brothers with each other. It is not allowed for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days." [Muslim & Tirmidhi]

·         ASSISTING THE NEEDY: The prophet of Allah said: "whoever relieves a calamity that has struck a believer in this world, Allah will relieve for him one of the calamities of the day of judgement, and whoever makes things easy for a person in trouble, Allah will make his matters easy in this life and in the hereafter and whoever shield the fault of a Muslim, Allah will shield his faults in this world and the hereafter, and Allah will help and support his servant as long as he is helping and supporting his brother" (Sahih Muslim). Al-Hasan said: "if a man stands by his brother to the end, then on the day of resurrection, Allah will send angels from beneath his throne to escort him to the garden of paradise."

·         LOVE FOR ALLAH SAKE: Allah will say on the day of Judgement where are those who loved each other for my sake? I will shade them today, when there is no shade but mine (Muslim). It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adaabul-Mufrad that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him know, since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love."

·         UMMAH FRAGMENTATION: One of the most fatal ideas to the concept of brotherhood that has been promoted is the concept of "Ummah fragmentation." This concept suggests that issues of Muslims in one country should not be of concern to Muslims in other countries. The fragmentation of the Ummah is like a fatal virus that, when adopted intentionally or unintentionally by the Muslims, leads to a clear violation to the aforementioned evidences in the Qur'an and Sunnah, and consequently causes a complete decay in the obligation of brotherhood.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم described the Ummah as one body; if one member becomes sick then the other members of this one body will take care of the sick one: "The Believers, in their mutual love, mercy and compassion, are like one body: if one organ complained, the rest of the body develops a fever." [Bukhari & Muslim]

Finally, it should be known that Brotherhood is an obligation, not a choice. "The believers are brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." [Al-Hujuraat ] The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which if you carry out you will love one another? Spread salaam amongst yourselves." [Muslim] Also he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Each of you is the mirror of his brother, so if he sees a fault in him he should wipe it away from him." [Tirmidhi]

These Hadiths, among others, reveals that faith is not complete and worship is not sufficient until strong bonds of brotherhood has been built among ourselves .

May Allah guide us all to implement the concept of brotherhood in our community and amongst one another, and to follow in the footstep of  the companions and the early Muslims who implemented the strongest form of brotherhood in their lives.

May 31,2014