Brotherhood Obligation in Islam

It is a Muslim’s duty towards his brother to support him, to stand by him in both prosperity and hardship, and to prevent the oppressor from committing injustice and violating his rights. Alongside being an obligation, it is also part of chivalry and good morals—among the greatest values held by the Arabs and affirmed by Islam—because it fulfills the objectives of Islam, which came to take people out of darkness and into light.

The Rights of Muslims Upon One Another

Among the most rightful duties of a Muslim towards his brother is to rush to his aid when he is harmed, in distress, or struck by calamity. Allah Says, {The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another.} [At-Tawbah 9:71]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave a parable of the strong bond between believers: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever.” (Sahih Al-Jami`, 5849) He also said: “A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that). (Al-Bukhari, 2446) And he said: “Muslims are equal in respect of blood. The lowest of them is entitled to give protection on behalf of them, and the one residing far away may give protection on behalf of them. They are like one hand over against all those who are outside the community.” (Sahih Al-Jami`, 6712)

Additionally, he forbade betraying a Muslim: “A Muslim is a Muslim’s brother. He does not wrong, desert or despise him.” (Muslim, 2564)

The Danger of Abandoning a Fellow Muslim

Forsaking a Muslim brother brings grave consequences upon one’s religion, worldly life, and Hereafter. It harms the Muslim community, weakens the spirit of solidarity and mercy, and strengthens oppressors while opening doors to corruption.

Allah Says, {As for the disbelievers, they are guardians of one another. And unless you ˹believers˺ act likewise, there will be great oppression and corruption in the land.} [Al-Anfal 8:73] It is also a cause for Allah’s abandonment of His servant.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honor aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place here he wishes his help; and no (Muslim) man who will help a Muslim in a place where his honor may be aspersed and his respect violated without Allah helping him in a place where he wishes his help.” (Musnad Ahmad, 16368)

The Alliance of the Virtuous (Hilf Al-Fudul)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) declared the noble aim of his mission: “I was sent to perfect good character.” (Ibn `Abd Al-Barr, 24/333)

He (peace be upon him) attended an alliance at the house of Abdullah Ibn Jud`an during the time of ignorance (before Islam) when he was 15 years old. He admired it because it sought to restrain oppression and support the oppressed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “I was present at the alliance of the perfumed (Hilf Al-Mutayyabin) with my uncles when I was only a boy. Even for red camels, I would not wish to break it.” (Musnad Ahmad, 1655)

As a Muslim, when you see your brother facing injustice of any kind, you must either support him out of obligation or at least out of chivalry. The obligation is what Allah and His Messenger have made binding, while chivalry is what noble character and honor require.

But if you turn away from both, then neither have you followed the guidance of the Shariah, nor have you upheld the virtues of nobility. That is indeed the true calamity, an opening for more corruption, greater oppression from enemies, and their domination over the Ummah.

Allah Warns, {And they will not stop fighting you until they turn you away from your faith—if they can.} [Al-Baqarah 2:217]

And He Says, {You will surely find the most bitter towards the believers to be the Jews and polytheists.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:82]

So what should we expect from them after Allah, the All-Aware, Showed us their reality?

Injustice and Aggression of the Enemies of Islam

We constantly see and hear from the enemies of Islam, Jews, Christians, and polytheists, openly declaring their war to be against Islam. They act upon this out of their creed and religion, claiming their battles are “sacred missions,” seeking vengeance against Islam and its people.

Meanwhile, many Muslims adopt passivity, pursue normalization, treat enemies with softness, and believe in “dialogue” after years of fruitless negotiations!

But does not Allah Know best about His creation, both believers and disbelievers? Look, then, at His Warning to the believers: {O believers! Do not associate closely with others who would not miss a chance to harm you. Their only desire is to see you suffer. Their prejudice has become evident from what they say—and what their hearts hide is far worse. We have made Our revelations clear to you, if only you understood.} [Ali `Imran 3:118]

Is there anything clearer than these verses?

 Where Do You Stand Today?

We are left with only two choices:

• The side of the believers, about whom Allah Said: {Whoever allies themselves with Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers, then it is certainly Allah’s party that will prevail.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:56]
• Or the side of those who persist in oppression and aggression.

Beware of believing any propaganda or invitation that goes against the believers. Even mere inclination towards the oppressors is dangerous. Allah Warns: {And do not be inclined to the wrongdoers or you will be touched by the Fire. For then you would have no protectors other than Allah, nor would you be helped.} [Hud 11:113]

Remember: it was Az-Zubayr Ibn `Abd Al-Muttalib whose chivalry drove him to call Quraysh to the Alliance of the Virtuous, making him a key to goodness and a symbol of reform. On the other hand, Al-`As Ibn Wa’il became a symbol of injustice and aggression.

And you, after all this—where do you place yourself?

Also Read:

• Unity of Ummah… Depth and Continuity 
• Treating People with Justice or Grace?
• 5 Reasons Behind the Rise of Islamophobia in France

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