One way of looking into the concept of brotherhood in Islam is considering it a duty and social or may be moral obligation. Another way is looking into it as a need- a solution to much of the moral predicaments plaguing our modern age.
Brotherhood, a two-word expression radiating the kind of warmness and compassion that’s supposedly between biological brothers who are united, bound by mutual care and love, let alone morally, socially, and spiritually connected.
This is how Muslims are supposed to be, as prescribed by Almighty Allah: non-biological brothers yet united by force and identity of Islam, bound by its noble teachings, and loving one another for the sake of Allah.
In the holy Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
“It is He who supported you 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.”– Quran 8:62-63
As vast the meaning of brotherhood is, encompassing all moral and social obligations that’s between an individual and his brother, as unpretentious its connotation can be: being connected, morally, as brothers supposed to be, united and interconnected and tightly woven as a social network, a family can be, and supportive as bricks of a single building can be, each carrying the one above it and held by the one below it.
One way of looking into the concept of brotherhood in Islam is considering it a duty and social or may be moral obligation. Another way is looking into it as a need- a solution to much of the moral predicaments plaguing our modern age.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is narrated to have said:
“The Muslims are like a single man; if his eye hurts his whole body suffer, and if his head hurts, his whole body suffers.”- Narrated by Imam Muslim (may Allah be pleased with him)
It was Islam that first imbibed emotions of love and sentiments of love and brotherhood amongst the Arab.
In his “Ideal Muslim Society”, Dr. Muhammad Ali Hashimi, describes the life-altering impact of Islam in inspiring a moral boundary of brotherhood among Muslims, saying;
“This was a brilliant human achievement, which turned the Arabs from warring tribes who hated one another and fought one another in famous battles such as the battles of Sarath, al-fada, Hatib and Bu’ath, and waged wars against one another such as war of dahis and al-Ghabra and the war of al-Basoos, into a society of love, brotherhood and solidarity…”
Reviving the impact inflicted upon Muslims as a result of brotherhood, originally installed amongst them with the advent of Islam, can’t be more intriguing in our modern times. Re-installing bounds of brotherhood amongst ourselves can indeed mend the crack that split the Muslim Ummah throughout the years and widened further with the passage of time, taking the form of political rifts at some time, fight over ideologies and conflict of interests at others, and egocentric struggles all the time.
We ought to remind ourselves of the divine ties we’re supposed to uphold amongst one another. We need to become one united entity again; one strong building that can stand in the face of any hazard or enemies endangering its well-being.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is narrated to have said:
“The likeness of believes in their mutual love, compassion and emotions is that of the body, if one part of it is afflicted, the rest of the body joins it in suffering fever and staying awake at night.”—Ibid
This is the kind of interconnectedness and unity we should aspire for and work hard to attain, at a time where individuals live “individually”, each locked up in his own cocoon of worries, interests, belongings, and self-centered goals and aspirations, without the least care for others or the need for them.
Islam manifestly encourages unity and brotherhood as a fine attitude and highly plausible manner through almost all acts of worships Muslims are ordained to observe.
For example Muslims are encouraged to Pray in congregation, which increases the reward of their prayers many folds. The act of prayer itself promotes brotherhood and unity. While praying, the entire Muslim population, wherever it resides, stands facing on single direction, demonstrating their unity and brotherhood.
Also in fasting, Muslims start and break their fast at a given set of timing that brings together the entire Muslim brothers of one nation or many neighboring nations to eat at the same hour.
Zakah, or paying alms, is another act of worship ordained upon Muslims that promotes social cohesion and sincere emotions of brotherhood and solidarity, with that involves of care, kindness, compassion and mutual respect and love.
And in the Hajj, or annual Pilgrimage, the Muslim brotherhood manifests in its best forms, as Muslims, from all spots of land, diverse nationalities, their different looking, varying cultures, and more varying languages gather in one place, with eyes directed toward one object of attention, that’s the House of God, join in one set of processions, wearing the same garments, same color, and reciting the same supplication, thereby renewing their vows to their Lord, collectively, and jointly asking for forgiveness.
Brotherhood is to be thought of as a moral and social need essential for every Muslim individual and one that is not to be compromised, lest he/she lose ground in an increasingly overwhelming life that weakens the strong body of the Muslim Ummah, which is in a bad need to stand firm till the end of time.
It’s a duty on every Muslim to love for his brothers in Islam what he loves for his own self, can you see how noble and carring the Muslim Ummah (nation) can be and foremostly supposed to be?!
This will lead, as a direct and logical consequence, to the primarily essential yet greatly lacking sense of security, love, gratitude and social warmness most of us yearningly need nowadays.
Wassalaam
Maha Youssuf
maha@muslimtribune.org
Posted on: October 9, 2011
