Islamic Brotherhood Love Unity and Ukhuwwah

The Islamic System of Brotherhood

The religion of Islam has provided invaluable principles and methodologies for leading a good life. By acting upon these, a Muslim is not only bound by Islamic injunctions and thus achieves success in the Hereafter but also distinguishes himself in this world as a respected and well-mannered individual in society.

The religion of Islam has taught us to promote brotherhood and love to maintain excellent relations among Muslims. In this article, we will explore what brotherhood is, why it is essential, and what consequences it has for society.

What is Brotherhood?

In Arabic, the meaning of Ukhuwwah (اخُوَّة) is being a brother, a fraternal relationship, or fraternity. The concept of Ukhuwwah is based on love, trust, well-wishing, and closeness between two or more individuals.

Brotherhood is of two kinds: kinship-based (Nasabī) and religious (Dīnī).

1. Kinship-based Brotherhood:

 This is where individuals become brothers due to close relationship and kinship.

2. Religious Brotherhood:

 This refers to the relationship established between one Muslim and another on the foundation of Islam. This is a beautiful bond where people are brothers based solely on faith and Islam, transcending barriers of colour, race, nationality, or language.

Imam al-Ghazālī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه said regarding brotherhood and love:

Brotherhood is a connection between two people, just as marriage is a connection between a husband and wife. Just as the marriage contract demands certain rights that must be fulfilled to maintain the right of marriage, the contract of brotherhood is the same, your Islamic brother has a right over your wealth and over your person, and similarly over your tongue and heart, that you forgive him, supplicate for him, treat him with sincerity and loyalty, show leniency towards him, and abandon distress and formality (i.e. unnecessary constraint).[1]

The Concept of Brotherhood in the Noble Quran

Ukhuwwah holds a special importance in the religion of Islam. In the noble Quran and Aḥādīth, Muslims are repeatedly commanded to establish and promote Islamic brotherhood and live in unity and agreement by eliminating differences.

Thus, Allah Almighty says:

وَ  اعْتَصِمُوْا  بِحَبْلِ  اللّٰهِ  جَمِیْعًا  وَّ  لَا  تَفَرَّقُوْا۪-

Hold fast onto the rope of Allah, all together, and be not divided;[2]

And He says:

اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ اِخْوَة

Only Muslims are brothers to each other,[3]

It is stated: "Muslims are certainly brothers to one another because they are interconnected through a religious bond and Islamic love, and this relationship is stronger than all worldly relationships."[4]

Hadith and Brotherhood

Emphasising the importance and benefit of Islamic brotherhood, the final Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

"A Muslim is to another Muslim like a structure, one part of which strengthens the other."[5]

Furthermore, in another narration explaining the rights of the bond of brotherhood, he stated:

A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he neither oppresses him nor disgraces him. The person who remains engaged in fulfilling the need of his brother, Allah Almighty fulfils his need. And the person who removes a difficulty from a Muslim, Allah Almighty will remove one of his calamities on the Day of Judgement. And the person who conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah Almighty will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgement.[6]

Establishing Brotherhood Twice Among the Noble Companions

Experts in Sīrah and Maghāzī mention that brotherhood was established twice among the noble Companions رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُم.

1. First Instance:

 This was established specifically among the Muhājirīn before the Hijrah. This was based on mutual help and establishing the rights of the religion.

2. Second Instance:

 This was established when the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم emigrated and arrived in Madinah Munawwarah, where he established brotherhood between the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār.[7]

Brotherhood Between the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār

The Muhājirīn had left their homes and families with little to no provisions. Therefore, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established the bond of brotherhood between the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār so that the Muhājirīn would not feel the pain of poverty and separation from their families, and they could find mutual support.

The number of Muhājirīn was forty-five or fifty. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم called two people, one from each party, and said, "This person and you are brothers." As soon as he made this declaration, they became brothers.

The noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established the bond of brotherhood between Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān b. ꜤAwf al-Qurayshī al-Zuhrī رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ and Sayyidunā SaꜤd b. RabīꜤ al-Anṣāri al-Khazrajī رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ.

Sayyidunā SaꜤd b. RabīꜤ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ said to Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān b. ꜤAwf رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ, "I have the most wealth among the Anṣār. I will divide my wealth for you. I have two wives; whichever of them you prefer, I will divorce her, and after her Ꜥiddah, you may marry her."

Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Raḥmān b. ꜤAwf رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ said, "May your family and wealth be blessed for you. Just show me the way to the market." He continued to trade in the market daily until, within a short period, he became wealthy.[8]

Undoubtedly, brotherhood is a magnificent event in Islamic history that the merciful Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established between the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār in Madinah Munawwarah. Its purpose was not merely to fulfil a temporary need, but to lay the foundation for a sustainable Islamic society. Let us elaborate on the details of each point:

The Objectives of Brotherhood

Islam is a religion that teaches humanity, equality, brotherhood, and mutual sympathy. In the early period of Islam, when the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم emigrated and arrived in Madinah, a large number of Muslims were left homeless, moneyless, and destitute.

To remedy this, the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established the excellent system of brotherhood, which yielded Islamic, social, ethical, and economic benefits and fruits. The system of brotherhood not only provided temporary assistance to the Muhājirīn but also generated a social revolution.

1. Establishing Social Harmony

The foremost objective of brotherhood was to establish social harmony. Since the Muhājirīn had come from Makkah and the Anṣār resided in Madinah, the noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم eliminated the divide between them by making them brothers.

This brotherhood was not a mere formal fraternity; rather, they began to share in each other’s joys, sorrows, difficulties, and comforts in their practical lives. This system led to the elimination of racial, linguistic, and tribal distinctions in society, establishing an atmosphere of agreement, unity, and harmony in the Islamic community.

2. Assisting the Needy and Establishing Equality

The second important objective of brotherhood was to establish economic equality. The Muhājirīn had left all their assets in Makkah and lacked resources. The final Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم appointed the Anṣār as their brothers and commanded them to share their wealth and possessions with the Muhājirīn.

The Anṣār carried out this command wholeheartedly. Some even offered half of their orchards and homes to meet the needs of the Muhājirīn. This act not only eliminated poverty but also established a model society based on equality.

3. Promoting Love and Brotherhood

When a person considers someone his brother, he does not adopt evils such as envy, hatred, malice, enmity, and selfishness. After the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established the system of brotherhood, the Anṣār assisted the Muhājirīn with sincere hearts, without demanding any favour in return, which generated closeness and love in their hearts for one another. This love, Ukhuwwah, and brotherhood were not temporary; they became a foundation that lasted for generations.

Brotherhood was such a great action that it laid the foundation of Islamic society on justice, equality, love, and fraternity. Through this, we learn the lesson that unless we share in each other's pain and suffering, we cannot become a strong and united Ummah. Even today, if we adopt this great spirit of brotherhood, then poverty, hatred, and prejudice can be eliminated from our society, and we can take a step towards a model Islamic state.

Islam teaches us to establish a model society alongside worship. Islamic brotherhood is a blessing that brings about pleasant effects on both the individual and collective levels.

Let us observe a few benefits of Islamic brotherhood:

1. It Fosters Love:

 Islamic brotherhood creates love in the hearts of Muslims for one another. A Hadith states that you cannot be a believer until you love one another.[9]

2. Social Harmony:

 The establishment of brotherhood creates unity, agreement, and harmony in society, which is the foundation of a peaceful community. You may have seen thick ropes that are the result of the unity of fine, weak threads. A single thread is so weak that even a small child can easily break it, but when several weak threads unite, they take the form of a strong rope that can even hold back large ships in the face of fierce water currents.

3. The Spirit of Help and Cooperation:

 Brotherhood generates the spirit of helping and sacrificing for others. If one Islamic brother is in trouble, his other Islamic brother helps him according to his capacity, and Allah Almighty's help is included in this endeavour. The blessed Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Allah Almighty continues to help His servant as long as the servant remains engaged in helping his brother.”[10]

4. Elimination of Hatred and Enmity:

 Through the blessing of brotherhood, those things that generate hatred and enmity, such as envy, malice, and backbiting, are eliminated, and hatred ends. Encouraging this, the beloved Prophetصَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “Do not envy one another, do not hold malice and enmity against one another, do not speak ill of each other behind their backs, and O servants of Allah Almighty! Be brothers.”[11]

5. A Means to Allah's Love and Mercy:

 Those who establish brotherhood attain the pleasure of Allah Almighty and the descent of His special mercy. The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: “My love is established for those people who love one another for My sake, spend on one another, and visit one another.”[12]

6. A High Rank in the Hereafter:

On the Day of Judgement, people who live their lives with brotherhood, love, and sincerity will be granted a special status. A Hadith mentions: "Allah Almighty will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who loved one another for My glory? Today I will shade them in My Shade, for today there is no shade but Mine.'"[13]

7. The Blessing of Altruism Replaces Love of Wealth:

Through the blessing of brotherhood, the love of wealth is eradicated from the hearts, and in its place, the great treasure of altruism is attained. This is not merely a social relationship; it is a bond established upon the foundation of faith that gives a person the courage to prioritise others over his own needs. This very spirit forms a model society based on mutual sympathy and sacrifice, where individuals transcend selfishness and consider the happiness of others as their own.

The Reward of Love for the Sake of Allah Almighty

The beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم states:

A man went to another town to visit his brother. Allah Almighty sent an angel on his way who asked him, "Where are you heading?"

He replied, "I am going to visit a brother of mine in this town."

The angel inquired, "Have you done him any favour that you wish to receive from him?"

He said, "Nothing except that I love him for the sake of Allah."

The angel said, "I have brought you this message from Allah: Just as you love him, Allah Almighty also loves you."[14]

The Peak of Altruism

A group of Sufis were presented before a Caliph, who issued the command to execute them. Sayyidunā Abū Ḥusayn Aḥmad b. Muhammad Nūrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was among them. He immediately rushed towards the executioner so that he would be killed first. When asked the reason for this, he replied:

"I wish to prioritise the lives of my brothers over my own at this moment."

This statement of his became the cause of salvation for all of them.[15]

The Goat's Head: A Guest of Seven Homes

Sayyidunā Abdullāh b. ꜤUmar رَضِیَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُما narrated:

A goat's head was presented as a gift to one of the Companions of the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He said, "Such-and-such brother of mine is more in need of this than me," and sent the head to him. That Companion also had the same thought and sent it forward. In this way, the head was sent from one person to another until, after passing through seven hands, it returned to the first Companion.[16]

The Need for Brotherhood in Today's Era

The brotherhood that the noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم established between the Muhājirīn and the Anṣār is a magnificent example of Islamic social life. The purpose of this brotherhood was not merely to provide accommodation or financial assistance to the Muhājirīn, but to connect their hearts and make them sincere well-wishers of one another.

Unfortunately, today, we have forgotten this great Sunnah.

The state of our society today is that there are quarrels in every home, brothers are estranged from brothers, and relatives do not even tolerate seeing each other's faces. Friendships of many years are broken over minor issues. Even living in the same institution, department, or house, we do not feel the pain and suffering of one another. Our hearts are filled with malice, envy, and hatred. We expect mercy, respect, and affection from others, but we ourselves end relationships over small grievances.

This is why Muslims today are weak, scattered, and victims of the oppression and tyranny of others. If we promoted brotherhood, wished well for one another, and loved with sincerity of heart by abandoning self-interest, perhaps our situation would be different. It is a pity that today, even love has become conditioned by self-interest.

Below are a few Islamic principles and methods that not only generate love and affection among Muslims but also promote brotherhood, which is the foundation of a strong Ummah.

1. Promoting Salam (Greeting):

One way to increase brotherhood and love is to frequently greet one another with Salam, whether we know the person or not. A Hadith states:

You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not become believers until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something which, if you do it, will make you love one another? [It is to] spread the Salam (greeting).[17]

2. Exchanging Gifts:

 To promote brotherhood and love, exchange gifts, as this cleanses the heart. A Hadith states:

تَهَادَوْا تَحَابُّوا “Exchange gifts, and you will love one another.”[18]

3. Accepting the Excuse of a Muslim:

 If a Muslim brother makes a mistake and then apologises by acknowledging it, his excuse should be accepted, as this removes ill-will from the heart.

4. Adopting Excellent Manners:

Good manners and a gentle temperament are also a cause for increasing love and winning the heart of the person in front of you, and they are a sign of a good human being. A Hadith states:

"The best among you is the one who is best in manners."[19]

5. Participating in Times of Joy and Sorrow:

 Visiting a sick person or sharing in the joy and sorrow of your Muslim brother is also a cause for the increase of brotherhood and love. A Hadith states:

"When a Muslim visits his Muslim brother who is sick, he continues to reap the fruits of Paradise until he returns."[20]

"Whoever consoles a person afflicted with a calamity will receive a reward equal to that of the afflicted person."[21]

6. Sincere Well-wishing:

 Desiring betterment for your Muslim brother, correcting him if you see him involved in wrongdoing, and giving him good counsel is well-wishing, which creates trust and love in the hearts for one another.

7. Encouragement:

Praising and encouraging your brother for any good deed, capability, or talent is also a method of increasing mutual love.

May Allah Almighty grant us Muslims the ability to live in agreement, unity, brotherhood, and love, and to help one another in times of difficulty,

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ