How important is the institution of brotherhood in Islam? What are the criteria of Islamic brotherhood and what are the obligations of one Muslim towards another? Read this to know more about the brotherhood in Islam and its distinguishing features.
What is Islamic Brotherhood?
Islam lays a great emphasis on the idea of the brotherhood of human beings. So much so that a significant portion of the Holy Quran and Prophetic narrations are devoted to the institutions of Islamic brotherhood.
The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy.
Al-Quran 49:10
Most importantly, this brotherhood in Islam is based not on any irrational, immobile, or rigid parameters of race, caste, tribe, nationality, bloodline, background, place of origin, etc but on the unassailable pillars of Imaan, faith, and belief and is open to all of humanity.
Anyone regardless of his race, caste, or tribal background can become part of this brotherhood by affirming his faith in God and his messengers.
And Muslims are more than happy in inviting believers and non-believers alike to be a part of this brotherhood.
In fact, it is a religious obligation of Muslims to teach and invite others to belief in the best possible manner they can.
Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from the path, and who are the rightly guided.
Al-Quran 16:125
Holy Quran strictly prohibits any kind of arbitrary differentiation, division, discord, discrimination, and resentment amongst Muslims.
A believer is required to treat other Muslims in a similar manner as he would treat his own kith and kin.
Doing the same is akin to an article of faith in Islam that a believer is not supposed to violate.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12
In addition, Muslims are conditioned to honor and pledge loyalty to this brotherhood on a daily basis as part of the five mandatory prayers.
Islam mandates five daily prayers and no prayer is complete without Tashahhud in which a believer also prays for the well-being of all other believers and humanity in general.
In this manner, believers get reminded of their pledge of equality, fraternity, and loyalty to each other on a daily basis.
Our Lord! forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts any resentment toward those who have faith. Our Lord, you are kind and merciful.
Al-Quran 59:10
All of this has been beautifully reflected and enshrined in the verses of the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Further, the revolutionary potential of this faith or belief-based brotherhood in Islam is recognized by non-Muslims as well.
According to an expert in Islamic Studies, “Oppressive rulers often fear the extraordinarily wide fraternal appeal of this brotherhood and its capacity to swiftly organize people against tyrants and oppressive regimes”.
“And when properly synced with the proselytic tendencies of Islam in good faith, this brotherhood can potentially undo any sociopath-political status quo that is unfair and unjust to people at large” say theological experts.
“As a result, race, caste and cultural supremacists often engage in vile Islamophobic rants and if politically powerful adopt all means to dissuade others from Islam.” say Scholars
Islamic Brotherhood: Quotes from Holy Quran
Holy Quran contains beautiful verses and quotes on Islamic brotherhood and its importance.
All Believers are part of a Single Brotherhood
The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy. Al-Quran 49:10
Hold firmly to the Rope of Allah
Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. Remember the favor of Allah upon you, when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by his favor. Al-Quran 3:103
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. Holy Quran 8:73
Believers are Allies of one another
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give charity and obey Allah and His Messenger..” Al-Quran 9:71
Those who believed, emigrated, and strived with their wealth and lives in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave them shelter and help—they are truly guardians of one another. As for those who believed but did not emigrate, you have no obligations to them until they emigrate. But if they seek your help ˹against persecution˺ in faith, it is your obligation to help them, except against people bound with you in a treaty. Allah is All-Seeing of what you do. Holy Quran 8:74
Don’t Ridicule and Insult Each Other
O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them, nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one’s] faith. And whoever does not repent – then it is those who are the wrongdoers. Al-Quran 49:11
Avoid Negative Assumptions about Each Other
O you who have believed, avoid negative assumptions. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear God; indeed, God is accepting of repentance and merciful. Al-Quran 49:12
Don’t Spy on Each Other
O you who have believed, avoid negative assumptions. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear God; indeed, God is accepting of repentance and merciful. Al-Quran 49:12
Don’t have Resentment towards Each Other
Our Lord! forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts any resentment toward those who have faith. Our Lord, you are kind and merciful. Al-Quran 59:10
Hadith Quotes on Islamic Brotherhood
The Books on Sahih hadiths contain dozens of prophetic narrations and quotes on Islamic brotherhood. Given below are a few notable mentions.
A Muslim is the Brother of Another Muslim
Riyadh-as-Saliheen by Imam Al-Nawawi, Volume 2, Hadith number 233 Messenger of Allah said- “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He should not wrong him nor surrender him to his enemy.”
Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Hadith 622- “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.”
Don’t Envy, Hate, and Boycott Each Other
Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 5718 Messenger of Allah said- “Do not hate each other, do not envy each other, do not turn away from each other, but rather be servants of Allah as brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to boycott his brother Muslim for more than three days.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 70: Narrated ‘Abdullah: Allah’s Apostle said, “Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (i.e., an evil-doing), and killing him is Kufr (disbelief).”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3939 It was narrated from Ibn Mas’ud that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Verbally abusing a Muslim is Fusuq disobedience and fighting him is Kufr (ungratefulness to Allah).’”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 91: Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle said, “Do not hate one another, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert each other, and O, Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers. Lo! It is not permissible for any Muslim to desert (not talk to) his brother (Muslim) for more than three days.”
Sahih Muslim 2558b Anas b. Malik reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Don’t nurse mutual hatred, nor jealousy, nor enmity, and become fellow brothers and servants of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim that he should keep his relations estranged from his brother beyond three days.
Don’t be suspicious of each other
Sahih Muslim 2563a Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Avoid suspicion, for suspicion, is the gravest lie in talk and do not be inquisitive about one another and do not spy upon one another and do not feel envy with the other, and nurse no malice, and nurse no aversion and hostility against one another. And be fellow brothers and servants of Allah.
Don’t Outbid Each Other
Sahih Muslim 2563c Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying. Don’t nurse malice against one another; don’t nurse aversion against one another; don’t be inquisitive about one another; don’t outbid one another (with a view to raising the price); be fellow brothers and servants of Allah.
Sahih Muslim 2564a: Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Don’t nurse a grudge and don’t bid him out for raising the price; don’t nurse aversion or enmity; don’t enter into a transaction when the others have entered into that transaction; 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. The piety is here (and while saying so) he pointed towards his chest thrice. It is a serious evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother Muslim. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in faith: his blood, his wealth, and his honor.
Don’t Laugh at Each Other
Sahih Muslim 2572a Aswad reported that some young men from the Quraish visited ‘A’isha as she was in Mina and they were laughing. She said: What makes you laugh? They said: Such and such person stumbled against the rope of the tent and he was about to break his neck or lose his eyes. She said: Don’t laugh for I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If a Muslim runs a thorn or (gets into trouble) severe than this, there is assured for him (a higher) rank and his sins are obliterated.
Fulfill the need of Each Other
Sahih al-Bukhari Volume 3, Book 43, Hadith 622- “A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.”
Sahih Muslim 2580 Salim reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: A Muslim is the brother of a fellow Muslim. He should neither commit oppression upon him nor ruin him, and he who meets the need of a brother, Allah would meet big needs, and he who relieved a Muslim from hardship Allah would relieve him from the hardships to which he would be put on the Day of Resurrection, and he who did not expose (the follies of a Muslim) Allah would conceal his follies on the Day of Resurrection.
Visit Each Other in Sickness and Otherwise
Sahih Muslim 2568c Thauban reported Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: Verily when a Muslim visits his brother in Islam he is supposed to remain in the fruit garden of Paradise until he returns.
Sahih Muslim 2569 Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, would say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I was sick but you did not visit Me. He would say: O my Lord; how could I visit Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He would say: Didn’t you know that such and such servant of Mine was sick but you did not visit him and were you not aware of this that if you had visited him, you would have found Me by him? O son of Adam, I asked for food from you but you did not feed Me. He would say: My Lord, how could I feed Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds? He said: Didn’t you know that such and such servant of Mine asked food from you but you did not feed him and were you not aware that if you had fed him you would have found him by My side? (The Lord would again say: ) O son of Adam, I asked drink from you but you did not provide it to me. He would say: My Lord, how could I provide Thee whereas Thou art the Lord of the worlds? Thereupon He would say: Such and such of servant of Mine asked you for a drink but you did not provide him and had you provided him drink you would have found him near Me.
Help Each Other
Sahih Bukhari Vol. 3, Book 43, Hadith 624 Allah’s Messenger (s) said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By preventing him from oppressing others.”
Avoid Harming Each Other
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 9 The Prophet said, “A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands. And a Muhajir (emigrant) is the one who gives up (abandons) all that Allah has forbidden.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 10: Some people asked Allah’s Apostle, “Who is a very good Muslim?” He replied, “One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands.”
Brotherhood is the Criteria of Faith
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12 The Prophet said, “None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.”
Don’t Fight with Each Other
Sunan Ibn Majah 3944 It was narrated from Sunabih Al-Ahmasi that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “I shall reach the Cistern (Haud) before you, and I will boast of your great numbers before the nations, so do not fight one another after I am gone.’”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3943 It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Woe to you! Do not turn back into disbelievers after I am gone, striking one another’s necks.”
Avoid Tribalism and Factionalism
Sunan Ibn Majah 3948 It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever fights under a banner of folly, supporting tribalism, or getting angry for the sake of tribalism, he dies in a state of ignorance.”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3963 It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “There are no two Muslims who confront one another with their swords, but both the killer and the slain will be in Hell.”
Blood of a Muslim is Haram on another Muslim
Sahih Muslim 1676a ‘Abdullah (b. Mas’ud) reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim who bears testimony (to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah, but in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, life for life, and the deserter of his Din (Islam), abandoning the community.
Conceal the Mistakes of Each Other
Sahih Muslim 2580 Salim reported on the authority of his father that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: A Muslim is the brother of a fellow Muslim. He should neither commit oppression upon him nor ruin him, and he who meets the need of a brother, Allah would meet big needs, and he who relieved a Muslim from hardship Allah would relieve him from the hardships to which he would be put on the Day of Resurrection, and he who did not expose (the follies of a Muslim) Allah would conceal his follies on the Day of Resurrection.
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. Holy Quran 8:73
Expressing love for your Kins and Brothers
Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When one of you has love for his brother, he should inform him that he loves him.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 542
Mujahid said, “One of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, met me and took hold of my shoulder from behind. He said, ‘I love you,’ and he went on to say, ‘The One for whose sake I love you loves you.’ He continued, ‘If it had not been that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When a man has love for another man, he should tell him that he loves him,” I would not have told you.’” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 543
Anas reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When two men have love for one another, the better of them is the one who has the strongest love for his companion.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 544
Mu’adh ibn Jabal said, “When you have love for your brother, do not quarrel with him or treat him badly nor ask questions about him, It may be that an enemy of his will appear and say something about him which is not true and will thereby cause a split between you.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 545
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Anyone who has love for his brother in Allah and for Allah should say, ‘I love you for Allah,’ and they will both enter the Garden. The one who has love for someone in Allah has a degree over the one he loves because of his love.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 546 Grade: Da’if (Al-Albani)
Modesty is Part of Faith
Abu Mas’ud ‘Uqba reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Part of what people have learned from the words of prophethood is the statement: ‘If you do not feel ashamed, do whatever you like.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 597
Salim reported from his father that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed by a man who berating his brother about his modesty. He told him, “Let him be. Modesty is part of faith.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 602
Exchange Gifts to increase Love
Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Give gifts and you will love one another.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 594
Anas said to his son, Thabit, “My son, exchange gifts, it will bring about love between you.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 595
Making Peace between Contenders
Umm Kulthum, the daughter of ‘Uqba ibn Abi Mu’ayt, reported that she heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “Someone who makes peace between people by saying something good or relates something good is not a liar.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 385
Abu’d-Darda’ reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Shall I tell you a degree better than prayer, fasting and sadaqa?” “Yes,” they replied. He went to say, Improving a state of friendship. Causing discord in a state of friendship is what shaves things away.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 391
Regarding the ayat: “Fear Allah and put things right between you,” (8:1), Ibn ‘Abbas said, “This is an injunction from Allah to the believers to fear Allah and to put things right between them.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 392
Mixing with People
Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The believer who mixes with people and endures their injury is better than the person who does not mix with people nor endure their injury.” Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 388
Important Learnings from Surah Hujurat
Surah Hujurat contains some important instructions and ethics on brotherhood and dispute settlement amongst believers.
49:1 O believers! Do not proceed ˹in any matter˺ before ˹a decree from˺ Allah and His Messenger. And fear Allah. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Revealed in a particular context. For more see Tafsir and relevant Hadith).
49:2 O believers! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, nor speak loudly to him as you do to one another, or your deeds will become void while you are unaware. (Revealed in a particular context. For more see Tafsir and relevant Hadith).
49:3 Indeed, those who lower their voices in the presence of Allah’s Messenger are the ones whose hearts Allah has refined for righteousness. They will have forgiveness and a great reward. (Revealed in a particular context. For more see Tafsir and relevant Hadith).
49:4 Indeed, most of those who call out to you ˹O Prophet˺ from outside ˹your˺ private quarters have no understanding ˹of manners˺. (Revealed in a particular context. For more see Tafsir and relevant Hadith).
49:5 Had they been patient until you could come out to them, it would have certainly been better for them. And Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Revealed in a particular context. For more see Tafsir and relevant Hadith).
49:6 O believers, if an evildoer brings you any news, verify ˹it˺ so you do not harm people unknowingly, becoming regretful for what you have done.
49:7 And keep in mind that Allah’s Messenger is ˹still˺ in your midst. If he were to yield to you in many matters, you would surely suffer ˹the consequences˺. But Allah has endeared faith to you, making it appealing in your hearts. And He has made disbelief, rebelliousness, and disobedience detestable to you. Those are the ones rightly guided.
49:8 ˹This is˺ a bounty and a blessing from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
49:9 And if two groups of believers fight each other, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight against the transgressing group until they ˹are willing to˺ submit to the rule of Allah. If they do so, then make peace between both ˹groups˺ in all fairness and act justly. Surely Allah loves those who uphold justice.
49:10 The believers are but one brotherhood, so make peace between your brothers. And be mindful of Allah so you may be shown mercy.
49:11 O believers! Do not let some ˹men˺ ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let ˹some˺ women ridicule other women, they may be better than them. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers.
49:12 O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.
49:13 O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.
49:14 ˹Some of˺ the nomadic Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “You have not believed. But say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger ˹wholeheartedly˺, He will not discount anything from ˹the reward of˺ your deeds. Allah is truly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
49:15 The ˹true˺ believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger—never doubting—and strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. They are the ones true in faith.
49:16 Say, “Do you inform Allah of your faith, when Allah ˹already˺ knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth? And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.”
49:17 They regard their acceptance of Islam as a favour to you. Tell ˹them, O Prophet˺, “Do not regard your Islam as a favour to me. Rather, it is Allah Who has done you a favour by guiding you to the faith, if ˹indeed˺ you are faithful.
49:18 Surely Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and earth. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”
