Demystifying Muslim brotherhood

UNITY. The bond among Muslims is often witnessed irrespective of ones standing in society. This has a lot to do with the teachings in the Quran, as the writer explains.

Often times, it is thought that Muslims are only mindful of fellow believers and indifferent to other members of the community. I sought out to create more understanding about the brotherly nature of Muslims. In the Quran, Surat Hujrat 49:10 Allah says “Believers are nothing else than brothers. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allâh, that you may receive mercy.” Meaning Muslims must treat each other as blood relatives.

This is why whenever a Muslim finds another Muslim, it is part of the culture for both to acknowledge the presence of each other by saying Assalaam Alaikum (May peace be upon you), with a smile, after which they are expected to look out for each other.

This greeting is not just a form of greeting, it is rather more of a spiritual gesture earning those involved rewards from Allah. Some non-Muslims also say the same greeting and the prophet advised Muslims to reply, Wa Alaikum (And you ). Any Muslim who says more than those words, is not doing as Islam teaches. Muslims are however not at any one time allowed to abuse any one because of his or her belief.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is quoted to have said, “And remember Muslims are brothers of each other. ” He said this when he was giving his last sermon at Mt Arafat in Mecca. This sermon summarized the gist of the message he was given to deliver to mankind from Allah. And it is composed of major topics of Islam and treating each other as brothers or sisters is one of the Muslims` core beliefs and values.

Core belief and values
So when you find Muslims giving preferential treatment to each other, do not be surprised. However, despite all this, Islam condemns all forms of sectarianism especially those that are based on ethnicity. In the Quran Surat Hujrat 49:13 Allah says “ O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allâh is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [ he is one of the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2). Verily, Allâh is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

This therefore means whether someone is not of your race or tribe, treat him as equal to you. What counts before Allah is one`s obedience to Allah, not his or her ethnicity. Even one from races that one may regard as inferior. Once he is professing Islam, that is enough, he is a brother or a sister and must be treated as such.

The prophet Muhammad (SAW) also said “A Muslim does not give up on his brother to be left to the mercy of non-believers” Allah castigated Muslims who quarrel with each other and warned them that such quarrels are weakening them and they must avoid them. Surat HUJRAT 49:11 “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 it is, to insult one’s brother after having Faith ( to call your Muslim brother; ‘O sinner’, or ‘O wicked’). And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zâlimûn (wrong-doers). (11).”

Your brother’s keeper
The prophet said a Muslim who helps his brother to solve a problem, also Allah will intervene in his affairs. Because Muslims are a family, one should not be surprised seeing Muslims helping each other out of a problem even when they don’t know each other. That is the undying Muslim brotherhood.

But in all this, Muslims must acknowledge existence of people of other faiths without scrutiny to their being true or not and when executing public roles of a mixed community, a Muslim leader must be fair to all. No sectarianism. Surah Al-E-Imran 3:159

“And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you; so pass over their faults, and ask Allah’s forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allâh, certainly, Allâh loves those who put their trust in Him. (159).”
When it comes to worshipping Allah, Muslims out of clarity of who they worship do not mix with other worshippers of other faiths simply because we do not worship the same God and indeed we do not worship in the same way.

While others refer to God as a father, to Muslims its blasphemous; Allah does not beget; Others drum or play the guitar while worshipping God , Muslims do not use any musical instruments when worshipping Allah. They only pronounce various declarations and pledges.
editoriali@ug.nationmedia.com