Respect Muslim brothers in social way, in business and in all the manners of life

Respect Muslim brothers in social way, in business and in all the manners of life


Hadith Translation:

Do not, you O Muslims, be jealous of each other, and do not increase the price of your goods to cheat other people, and do not hate each other, and do not bear enmity against each other, and do not try to unreasonably excel one another. And be the slaves of Allah who are brothers to each other. A Muslim is a brother to every Muslim. So do not commit injustice to your brother, and do not deny him from any help, do not belittle him. Taqwa is in here (Rasulullah (saws) then
gestured to his chest three times). It is sufficient evil for a Muslim to harm his own brother in Islam. A Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his wealth and his honour. (Sahih Muslim)

Explanation:

It is clear from these messages of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaih wsallam) that all Muslims are brothers to each other. And this brotherhood is not bounded by nationality, skin color, race, language or culture. And as brothers, we are prohibited from committing injustice to our own brothers. Especially, fighting, killing, humiliating and other acts. These are considered as big sins. Such messages from Rasulullah (sallallahu alaih w sallam) must be remembered and practiced always. Because Satan and our evil desires will always drive us to transgression, such that it may result in enmity, hostility and finally, a war between Muslims weaken them as
Quran says: (Translation) And obey Allah and His Messenger, and dispute not one with other lest ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be stead fast ! Lo! Allah with the steadfast.(Sura Al-Anfal 46)

This is why, when we see our own brothers quarrelling or fighting, we are commanded by Allah Almighty to make peace between them. Allah says Surely, all believers are brothers. So make peace between your brothers, and fear Allah that mercy may be shown to you. (Surah
Al-Hujurat verse 10)

There are many ways for us to make peace between two quarrelling parties. The first stage is to advise them to be patient. Indeed, the command to be patient is much emphasized by Almighty Allah.

A very large number of our internal battles is the result of narrowly defined self-interests. Islamic teachings could be the force that help us overcome this. Unfortunately, instead of letting it fulfill this role, today we have made even religion provide us with additional and irresolvable points of conflict. We fight over petty issues of fiqhi opinion of our fuqaha (jurists and scholars) . We fight over fine points of religious interpretation. We turn minor points of religious law into big battlegrounds while most important and fundamental teachings of religion are violated.

It is not that debates or disagreements in religious interpretation are themselves evil. Today many western educated Muslims, with scant understanding of their religion do think that way. Some even suggest that we should bury all fiqhi school of thoughts and create a new one.
Differences of opinion are inevitable wherever people have both intellect and honesty. Complete consensus on every issue is possible only when everyone is dumb, so they cannot think of a different idea, or they are dishonest so they willingly agree with a position that they consider wrong. After all religious interpretations are not personal rights that can be sacrificed away.

The problem occurs when we exaggerate these differences. There were differences of opinion among the companions, their followers, and great mujtahideen (jurist and scholars who drive dos and donts from the source). But they did not turn these into fights. They disagreed but they maintained respect and love for each other. The brotherhood remained intact. They had tolerance for the other view.

exaggeration (ghuloo) is the main cause of most fights involving our religious groups. It also happens with Islamic organizations. Most are doing useful work in the areas they chose based on their abilities and inclinations. Had they developed a spirit of cooperation and considered their differences as just a natural division of labor, together they could have become a formidable force. Unfortunately each one of them considers their work and methodology as the only methodology for Islamic work. This is ghuloo. It produces the tribalism of jahiliyyah (the
pre-Islamic period of ignorance) among religious workers.

Pious people are not extinct today. What we sorely need is the reformers who can rise above their narrow perspectives and heed the universal and unifying call of Islam.

Mufti Abdulqayyum
13/01/2011