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.
