Day 21: Be Brothers!

INTRODUCTION:

Just yesterday at the Duncanville Islamic Centre, brother Eric took the shahadah and accepted Islam. We had iftaar together and a good chitchat ensued. In the course of our conversation, he asked why do we pray? I told him it was a connection between us and our Creator — Allah, the Lord of the Universe. The basic purpose for which He created us was to worship Him. Besides this, we also have needs: so when we ask, we ask from Allah. When we err, we repent to Him and pray that He forgives our faults.

One astonishing thing he saw last night was the feeling of brotherhood amidst the Muslims — it was awe-inspiring. He felt the warmth and the love he received was electric. From the handshakes to the saying of As-Salam Alaykum, he admitted he had just found inner peace and tranquility. He observed his first salat with the congregation. Thereafter, it dawned upon me the truth of Allah’s statement in Suratul Hujurat verse 10: “The believers are nothing else but brothers.”

INSPIRATION:

Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik, radiyallahu 'anhu, who was the servant of the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, reported that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "Do not be envious of one another; do not artificially inflate prices against one another; do not hate one another; do not shun one another; and do not undercut one another in business transactions; and be as fellow-brothers and servants of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor

humiliates him nor looks down upon him. Piety is here - and he pointed to

his chest three times. It is evil enough for a Muslim to hold his brother Muslim in contempt. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for another Muslim: his blood, his property and his honour." [Muslim]

It was related on the authority of Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu, that the Prophet, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, said: "Whosoever relieves from a believer some grief pertaining to this world, Allah will relieve from him some grief pertaining to the Hereafter. Whosoever alleviates the difficulties of a needy person who cannot pay his debt, Allah will alleviate his difficulties in both this world and the Hereafter. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and the Hereafter. Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. Whosoever follows a path to seek knowledge therein, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that tranquility descends upon them, mercy covers them, the angels surround them, and Allah makes mention of them amongst those who are in His presence. Whosoever is slowed down by his deeds will not be hastened forward by

his lineage." [Muslim]

REFLECTION:

• A true Islamic community is when it is built upon love and compassion for its members. Every member should care for and help one another.
• Loving goodness for others is part of loving them. We love good things for them as much as we love those things for ourselves.
• We should not lie to our Muslim brothers. We should also refrain ourselves from belittling or making fun of other Muslims
• Envy is a highly detestable act, do not envy one another. As well, do not spy on each other.
• Backbiting and slandering are forbidden acts. This will only lead to hatred amidst the Muslims.
• We should not turn our backs on one another. As Well, we should not stop talking to each other.
• Be careful not to undercut one another in business transactions. This is rampant in the society today.
• Honour your brother and Allah will honour you. Conceal his fault and Allah will conceal yours too.
• Indeed piety is in the heart. Hence do not self praise yourself nor look down upon others.
• Be brothers, oh believers! That’s the best you can be

CONCLUSION:

After all these reassuring statements from Allah’s Apostle, it is sad that the state of the ummah has really not been at its best. In his prophesy, he sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam mentioned that the external enemy will not be able to annihilate the Muslims. However, the ummah will be destroyed by the Muslims killing each other. This is the reality of the times we live in today. May Allah rectify our state and unite our hearts upon the truth.