All Praise is due to Allah Who set us on the course of brotherhood and united our hearts. Allah the Exalted says, "And remember the bounty of Allah upon you as you were enemies and He united your hearts (in love) and you emerged, out of His bounty, as brothers. And you were at the edge of a pit of fire and He saved you from it." ([1]). I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger, may the mercy and peace of Allah be upon him, his family, and companions.
Brotherhood is a duty of the Muslim community. Just as praying the five daily prayers and fasting the month of Ramadan are duties, brotherhood is also a duty. In fact, brotherhood and salvation, both of which are fruits of true faith in Allah, are mentioned side by side in the above verse. While contemporary society emphasises individualism, Islam emphasises the community. There is also no concept of monasticism in Islam; it is far better for a Muslim to interact with others and tolerate their possibile irreligiousity than it is for him to seclude himself. Brotherhood is actually a part of our daily prayers. In every unit of every prayer one recites, "It is You (Oh Allah) alone we worship and it is in You alone that we seek help. Guide us to the straight path." ([2]). It is necessary to make this prayer in plural. Muslims are as a single body: if the entire community is not guided the entire community will suffer.
Brotherhood requires training. Contemporary society idolises fame, promotes individuality, and glorifies ambition. For many, this society is the only one they know. It will take an immense amount of self-deprogramming to unlearn selfishness. The first step is to acutely observe one's emotions and actions when dealing with other Muslims. One should gather data about himself and analyse it honestly and carefully. What emotions does dealing with others evoke? Is one easily frustrated or angered at the first signs of contention? The fundamental assumption of brotherhood is that families interact lovingly, each member looking out for the interests of the other. It then follows that if all Muslims are brothers and sisters, the community will act as a single extended family. The fact that family relations are often dysfunctional acts as a complication to the issue of brotherhood. One certainly should not treat other Muslims as he treats his brothers if he treats them with contempt. A more appropriate goal is to achieve the Islamic golden rule, "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself." ([i]). Upon introspection, one will be able to ascertain whether or not he is living up to this principle, both with blood relations as well as with Muslims in general.
Brotherhood is not the same as unity. It is possible for people to unite based on military strategy, economic welfare, or logistical principles while contravening Islamic values. Pursuing material unions may often be of temporal value. However, the goal of brotherhood is the unity of hearts, something that material unions can never achieve. In describing those who united to fight against the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Allah says, "You would think they are united but their hearts are divided." ([3]). Spiritual brotherhood is a uniquely Islamic phenomenon. Furthermore, proper faith in Allah is the only means to achieve it, "Were you to spend all wealth on earth you would not have united their hearts, but Allah united their hearts." ([4]).
The Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,
Do not envy (1) one another, do not cheat one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and do not undersell one another. Be, oh slaves of Allah, brothers! A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He doesn't opress him, desert him, lie to him, nor does he hold him in contempt. Piety is here (2). It is evil enough for one to hold his Muslim brother in contempt. All of a Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth, and his honour. ([ii])In this speech the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) starts by warning Muslims of actions that destroy brotherhood. (As a pedagogical principle, one of the best ways to learn a new concept is to first learn those things that invalidate it.) Before one's heart can receive true faith and bear the fruits of brotherhood, one needs to cleanse it of diseases. Envy is a disease that Muslims must deracinate from their hearts, for "Envy (1) consumes good actions as fire consumes wood." ([iii]) Why is envy is such a terrible disease? Whatever one values in one's own life or in the lives of others is from Allah. Allah created some people more beautiful than others. Allah gave abundant wealth to some and less to others. Allah distributed strength, intellect, knowledge, and receptiveness of heart to people in different proportions. Envy is essentially a dissatisfaction with the Will of Allah, a disbelief in His Wisdom in choosing others above oneself in some matters. Faith in Allah is incomplete unless one gracefully accepts His Will as just. Iblees's (3) fall is a result of his inability to accept the high station that Allah appointed for Adam.
Since diseases of the heart stand in the way of true faith, and thus brotherhood, the obvious question is how one can cure himself. The simplest way is through supplication, asking Allah to remove one's envy or hatred and to bless the person in question. The decree of Allah will remain though the whole of humanity may boil in envy. Whatever good Allah has decreed for a person will remain with him for the period appointed by Allah. Envy and hatred harm the one in whose heart they stir, causing him to live in torment. When Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about people who slandered Abu Bakr and Umar she commented that since they had died and could no longer act, Allah caused their good actions to continue by having people insult them. This would result in the good actions of the offenders being transferred to the scales of Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). Having ill feelings towards other Muslims comes at the price of harming oneself and benefitting the objects of such feelings.
The essence of brotherhood is in piety, which rests in the heart, for "Piety is here." When the love of Allah becomes dearer to one than anything else, he then loves others for the sake of Allah. In contrast, love based on worldy relations is transient. When the final hour arrives, nursing mothers will abandon their suckling children. ([5]). When judgement dawns, a man will wish he could ransom himself from punishment with his son. ([6]). No amount of blood or binding will hold two people together on that day, a day in which a man will flee from his brother, mother, father, wife, and children. ([7]). The only people who will not abandon each other on the Day of Judgement are the pious, "On that day, those who love one another will be enemies except for the pious." ([8]). The only bond that will hold people together on that day is brotherhood for the sake of Allah. Isn't it high time to implement it?
"Oh our Lord! Forgive us and our brothers who have preceded us in faith. And do not cause there to be any rancour in our hearts towards the believing people. Oh our Lord! Truly, You are Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" ([9]).
Note: the translations are my own and they are intended to give an approximate meaning only. The format for references is surah (chapter) number followed by ayah (verse) range, separated by a colon.
Note: the translations are my own and they are intended to give an approximate meaning only.