In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful,

the Most Compassionate

Praise be to Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Muhammad,

and upon his family and companions, and all those who follow him



By Z.B. Asghar
Adapted Slightly From The Light - Volume 1 Issue 1
Loughborough Islamic Centre & LSU Islamic Society

The importance of brotherhood in Islam can not be over stressed. There are many hadiths relating to the fact the Muslims are a single united body, each part responsible for the other. Accordingly if one of the parts is injured or hurt then the rest of the body immediately feels that pain and is certainly uncomfortable at the situation until it is rectified without delay. The brotherhood of Muslims is a very deep and wide concept that guarantees the safety and well being of the Society at large. Islam being a complete way of life is primarily for the society, it promotes a healthy and a well disciplined life style in every sense of the word.

It is forbidden, for example, for two Muslims to start a whispering conversation in the presence of the third. This might offend the one left out and weaken the Brotherhood. It is not permissible for a Muslim to sever relations with his brother for more than three days. 

"It is sufficient evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother. The life, wealth, and honour of a Muslim are inviolable by another Muslim" [Sahih Muslim].

Brotherhood is synonynous with Islam. It is a force for good, a purveyor of peace and justice for everyone. It provides stablility in a quarrelsome world. To the downtrodden and oppressed everywhere in the past, it provided freedom. When it was powerful, it even saved the Jews and Christians in Palestine and Spain from each other.

Muslims are not allowed to kill the women and children of their enemies even in war. How could we support the killing of our own women and children? A Muslim is not really a believer if he eats his full while ignoring the plight of a hungry neighbour. How could a believer then participate in economic sanctions designed to starve his own people to death?

When giving commands regarding the Islamic Brotherhood, the Quran uses a beautiful style with a profound message.

But when you enter the houses, greet one another with a greeting from Allâh (i.e. say: As-Salâmu 'Alaikum - peace be on you) blessed and good. Thus Allâh makes clear the Ayât (these Verses or your religious symbols and signs, etc.) to you that you may understand. [Surah An Nur Ayah 61].
O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers, etc.). [Surah Al-Hujarat Ayah 11].

The message is clear: Whatever is happening to others in the Brotherhood, is actually happening to yourself. Any aggression against any part of the Brotherhood is an aggression against all of it.
By Shaykh Watheq Al Oboudi1, 3.11.11

With the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, Very-Merciful.

Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds. May there be blessings and peace upon our master, Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.

Dear brothers, in this khutbah (sermon), we will continue discussing the topic of raising children in a context of religious estrangement (i.e. Muslim-minority America), emphasizing to fathers and mothers the necessity of instilling and deeply rooting the tenants of faith, taqwa (God fearing), high moral character, the virtue of brotherhood and love, the meanings of rahmat (mercy), altruism, clemency, wisdom, courage, and other noble principles in the hearts of our children.
 
But today we will especially discuss the virtue of instilling brotherhood, friendliness, and love. Allah most-exalted says ‘All believers are but brothers’ (49:10).
 
Oh dear gathering of Muslims, know that from the fruits of children‟s proper education is the development of sound tenets of faith, taqwa of Allah most-exalted, an Islamic, prophetic character which results in brotherhood, friendliness, and love. Therefore, it is imperative for the truthful Muslim to feel that brotherhood for the sake of Allah is of the strongest of links…that it is even stronger than genetic brotherhood itself! Brotherhood for the sake of Allah is built on altruism, rahmat, pardoning though possessing the ability to exact revenge, and abstinence from every action that hurts the person, property, or honor of men6. The youth who inculcate these characteristics will be amongst those shaded under the throne of Ar-Rahman (God ‘the All-Merciful’) on the day there is no shade save His.
 
The Messenger of Allah said that Allah most exalted will say on the day of Resurrection. Where are those who loved each other for the sake of my majesty? Today I will shade them in My shade; a day there is no shade save Mine.‟ (The Authenticated Hadith Collection of Imam Muslim)
 
The Messenger of Allah, also said „One of you does not truly believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.‟ (Agreed upon)
 
Oh dear gathering of Muslims; By Allah, the one besides whom there is no god, we face a grave risk if we don‟t raise our children on these praiseworthy, precious Islamic qualities; we must take practical steps to infuse them, and take advantage of the lessons of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and his companions, may Allah be pleased with all of them.


Source:  Islamic Centre of Tuscon


Thank You Allah (SWT): Bear problems with patience
The will of Allah (SWT) will not bring us to a place where the grace of Allah (SWT) will not protect us!
Locks are never manufactured without a key. Similar Allah (SWT) never gives you problems without solutions. Only we need to unlock them. They don't come together.
Every problem carries wonderful opportunities. So never run away from problems. Instead face them boldly with patience and problems will be no more.

Remember ...
Smooth roads never make a skillful driver
Smooth sea never makes a skillful sailor
Clear sky never makes a skillful pilot
Problems free life never makes a skillful person
Hence, get going tough ...

If you think you are unhappy, look at them? If you think you are unhappy, look at them?
If you think your job is tough, how about him? If you think your job is tough, how about him?
If you think your salary is low, how about her? If you think your salary is low, how about her?
If you think you don't have many friends, ask yourself if you have one sincere friend? If you think you don't have many friends, ask yourself if you have one sincere friend?
If you think study is a burden, how about her? If you think study is a burden, how about her?
When you feel like giving up, think of this man! When you feel like giving up, think of this man!
If you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as much as he does? If you think you suffer in life, do you suffer as much as he does?
If you complain about your transport system, how about them? If you complain about your transport system, how about them?
If your society is unfair to you, how about her? If your society is unfair to you, how about her?

Be thankful of what you have and stop complaining. Allah (SWT) has been generous towards you, Thank Allah (SWT) in return.
Remember: Be bold when you loose and be calm when you win.

Heated gold becomes ornament. Beaten copper becomes wires. Depleted stone becomes statue. So the more pain you get in life you become more valuable.

It is narrated from Imam Ali (as) advising Kumayl as follows:
In every hardship say: 'Laa Hawala Wala Qowwata Illa Billah Al Ali Al Azeem', and you will be protected from it.

In every bounty say: Alhamdullah, and you will get more bounties from Allah (SWT).
When income is delayed, seek forgiveness (Istighfaar), Allah (SWT) then grant you more income.
There is a Hadith that says 'La Hawla Wala Quwwata illa billahil aliyul adheem' is such a great medicine that it cures every disease and the most minor disease it cures is 'Sorrow' (Gham).

credits:  http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/inspirational.stories.asp