Brotherhood

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD

The Messenger of Allah stressed the importance of generosity of mind, courtesy and the spirit of sacrifice, on the part of the Muslims. A Muslim can never be a tyrant. He is sympathetic and a protector of the life, honour and dignity of his fellowmen. This virtue is of utmost importance because no good society can be founded on tyranny and oppression. For a peaceful life it is essential that every human being should exercise full control over his evil passions and should refrain from doing anything which may be harmful to others.

There are numerous forms of atrocities, which are perpetuated on humanity. In these forms both hand and tongue have an important role to play. An individual by his superior physical strength can make weaker beings the victims of his high-handedness. He can also sling mud on others and malign and slander them. Every act of high-handedness is condemned whether it is in the form of tyrannical rule or unjust social order or exploitation of the weak by the strong, or danger to the safety of the life, honour and property of the people. Similarly, every unjust word or verdict or decision, which harms the human race or injures the feelings of innocent human beings, is an act of tyranny on the tongue.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin al-‘Aas is reported to have said: “Verily a person asked Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) who amongst the Muslims was better. Upon this the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) remarked, ‘From whose hand and tongue the Muslims are safe.’”

We find a Hadith of “Tirmidi”, which is narrated on the authority of Ibn-e-Hab’baan, these words too: “From whose hand and tongue, the people are safe, which means that not only Muslims but also every human being should be respected and honoured.” 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

It is reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “There are three qualities for which anyone who is characterised by them will relish the savour of faith: that he loves man and he does not love him but for Allah’s sake alone; he is to whom Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) are dearer than all else; he who prefers to be thrown into Fire than to return to unbelief after Allah has rescued him out of it.”

It is reported on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) observed: “By Him in Whose Hand is my life, no bondsman (truly) believes till he likes for his neighbour, or he (Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam)) said, ‘For his brother, whatever he likes for himself.’” (Muslim) A true believer has a strong sense of fellow-feeling and inculcates love for his brother-in-Islam.

Sayyiduna Anas bin Maalik reported that the Apostle of Allah said: “Do not hate one another, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert each other, and, O Allah’s worshippers! Be brothers. Lo! It is not permissible for any Muslim to desert (not talk to) his brother (Muslim) for more than three days”. (Bukhari)

Sayyiduna Abu-Ayyub al-Ansaari reported that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) said: “It is not lawful for a man to desert his brother Muslim for more than three nights. (It is unlawful for them that) when they meet, one of them turns his face away from the other, and the other turns his face from the former, and the better of the two will be the one who greets the other first.” (Bukhari)