The Bond of Brotherhood

Brotherhood is a responsibility that we each have as members of the Muslim Ummah. To fufill our obligation, we first need to understand what is required of us.


"...And lower your wing for the believers (be courteous to the fellow-believers)."
[Al-Hijr 15:88]

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"None of you has Iman (faith) until he desires for his brother (or sister) Muslim that which he desires for himself (or herself)."
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]

He (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) also said,
"The Muslims in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human body where when one of its parts is in agony the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever."
[Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]



To love for the sake of Allah (Ta'ala)

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"On the Day of Judgement, Allah, the Most High, will announce, 'Where are those who love each other for the sake of My pleasure? This day I am going to shelter them in the shade provided by Me. Today there is no shade except My shade."
[Muslim]

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"If a person loves his brother, he should inform him of this fact."
[Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidi]



To be merciful and compassionate toward others

Allah (Ta'ala) says,
"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against the disbelievers, and merciful among themselves..."
[Al-Fath 48:29]

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"Do not be envious of other Muslims; do not overbid at auctions against another Muslim; do not have malice against a Muslim; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him; do not make an offering during a pending transaction. O' servants of Allah, be like brothers (or sisters) with each other. A Muslim is the brother (or sister) of another Muslim; do not hurt him (or her), or look down upon him (or her) or bring shame on him (or her). Piety is a matter of heart (The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) repeated this thrice). It is enough evil for a person to look down upon his Muslim brother (or sister). The blood, property and honor of a Muslim is inviolable to a Musilm."
[Muslim]



To keep company with others

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"Keep company with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous."
[Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidi]

He (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) also said,
"A person is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend."
[Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidi]



To help when necessary and cover shortcomings

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"One who helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world, Allah will remove the former's distress on the Day of Judgement. He who helps to remove the hardship of another, will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. One who covers the shortcomings of another Muslim, will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah. Allah continues to help a servant so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister)."
[Muslim]



To encourage to the right

Allah (Ta'ala) says,
"The believers, men and women. are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamio Monotheism and all that Islma orders one to do), and forbids (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat); and give the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His mercy upon them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise."
[At-Tauba 9:71]

When the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) instructed,
"Help your (Muslim) brother (or sister) when he commits a wrong and when a wrong is committed against him, someone asked, "O Messenger of Allah, I understand how I can help him if a wrong is committed against him, but how can I help him if he is himself committing a wrong?" At that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) answered, "Stopping him from committing the wrong is helping him."
[Sahih al-Bukhari]



To fulfill one's minimum duties and beyond

The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said,
"A Muslim owes six obligations towards another Muslim: when you meet him (or her), salute him (or her) saying 'Assalamu Alaikum; when he (or she) invites you, accept his (or her) invitation; when he (or she) solicits your advice, advise him (or her) sincerely; when he (or she) sneezes and praises Allah, respond with the supplication Yarhamuk Allah (Allah have mercy on you); when he (or she) falls sick, visit him (or her); on his (or her) death, join his (or her funeral)."
[Muslim]

He (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) also said,
"When a Muslim visits his (or her) Muslim brother (or sister) who is sick, he (or she) certainly gathers the fruits of Paradise until he (or she) returns (from visiting)."
[Muslim]