English
Arabic
Dutch
Finnish
French
German
Hindi
Norwegian
Spanish
Swedish
Hebrew
Indonesian
Turkish
Persian
Swahili
Urdu
Unity and Brotherhood - Lecture 9
11thJanuary 2011
1. We know that actions and changes in our societies can be accomplished quicker and with higher standards when we work together, in unity. Brotherhood and Unity are two very important keys to realising change on a wider scale. The Quran reminds us that all believers are brothers and that any barriers between them should be overcome.
[49:10] The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you.
2. According to Islamic tradition and history, when one takes on a brother, they should treat them as their own blood-brother. We find in history, that when the Prophet entered Madina, he instructed the Ansar to take on a brother from the Muhajiroon. Interestingly, we find that once brothers had been selected, many of the Ansar gave their brothers half of what they owned as a gift. One would give half their land, the other would give half his livestock and so on. Such was their brotherhood, that even in their wills they would write one another’s name as inheritors.
“Many a brother was not born by your mother”
Imam Ali (PBUH)
3. Having understood the lengths Muslims have gone to in showing affection to their brothers, the Prophet instructs us to move to the second level of brotherhood. He says, “Increase in your brothers, for every believer will intercede for the other on the day of judgement”. This is a powerful statement which indicates to us that on the day of judgement not only will the Prophets and Imams (PBUT) be able to intercede, but also the believers.
4. Going a level deeper, we can ask ourselves whether or not our love for each of our brothers should be the same. We find a tradition from Imam Ali (PBUH) in which he answers this
question for us. He says, “Love your brothers in proportion to their God-consciousness (taqwa)”.
5. Love and brotherhood for the sake of wealth, fame or any other materialistic gain is of no benefit to us. If our love for anyone is such, then we should remind ourselves that in the same manner as wealth can come to someone overnight, it can disappear at the same speed or even faster. This is the same with fame, power and other materialistic gains.
6. One may say that they do not have such tendencies; however, if we put ourselves in certain scenarios we may find that the root to this ‘selfish’ brotherhood may be present in us. For example, if we have a relative who is very wealthy and another who is middle class, when the wealthy man visits us, do we act in a different manner with him? Do we treat him with greater respect and do we give him more attention than the middle class relative? If the answer is yes, then it is possible that we have the root to such a tendency within us.
7. It is also of benefit to note, that due to the easy loss of material assets, people generally will try harder to hold onto them. Therefore if a time comes where this ‘brother’ who has been selected due to his worldly status is placed between us and his assets, it is highly probably that he will choose his assets. Whereas, the true brother who has been selected based on piety will not forgo his principles and he will remain loyal to us at all times.
8. Up until now, we have understood that we should be united, increase the number of brothers we hold close to us and love them according to their level of piety. We’re then taught an etiquette which we should adhere to with our brothers. An etiquette which is very unique to Islam. Imam Ali (PBUH) states, “Do not let your brother be stronger in his affection towards you than you are towards him”. How unique! Competition in Islam between brothers is encouraged, competition to show each other affection, love and assistance.
9. Finally, in a very articulate manner, the brother of the greatest man (Muhammad (PBUH)), none other than Ali (PBUH) states, “Choose from everything that which is new, but select the oldest of brothers”. When we purchase a good, we set our eyes on that which is new.
However, Imam (PBUH) advises that when it comes to brothers the oldest of brothers, those whom we have known since childhood, should be preferred (taking into consideration their piety). This may be due to the fact that they have remained loyal to us, we have kindled a relationship of trust and love with them and they know us better than others.
11thJanuary 2011
1. We know that actions and changes in our societies can be accomplished quicker and with higher standards when we work together, in unity. Brotherhood and Unity are two very important keys to realising change on a wider scale. The Quran reminds us that all believers are brothers and that any barriers between them should be overcome.
[49:10] The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may be had on you.
2. According to Islamic tradition and history, when one takes on a brother, they should treat them as their own blood-brother. We find in history, that when the Prophet entered Madina, he instructed the Ansar to take on a brother from the Muhajiroon. Interestingly, we find that once brothers had been selected, many of the Ansar gave their brothers half of what they owned as a gift. One would give half their land, the other would give half his livestock and so on. Such was their brotherhood, that even in their wills they would write one another’s name as inheritors.
“Many a brother was not born by your mother”
Imam Ali (PBUH)
3. Having understood the lengths Muslims have gone to in showing affection to their brothers, the Prophet instructs us to move to the second level of brotherhood. He says, “Increase in your brothers, for every believer will intercede for the other on the day of judgement”. This is a powerful statement which indicates to us that on the day of judgement not only will the Prophets and Imams (PBUT) be able to intercede, but also the believers.
4. Going a level deeper, we can ask ourselves whether or not our love for each of our brothers should be the same. We find a tradition from Imam Ali (PBUH) in which he answers this
question for us. He says, “Love your brothers in proportion to their God-consciousness (taqwa)”.
5. Love and brotherhood for the sake of wealth, fame or any other materialistic gain is of no benefit to us. If our love for anyone is such, then we should remind ourselves that in the same manner as wealth can come to someone overnight, it can disappear at the same speed or even faster. This is the same with fame, power and other materialistic gains.
6. One may say that they do not have such tendencies; however, if we put ourselves in certain scenarios we may find that the root to this ‘selfish’ brotherhood may be present in us. For example, if we have a relative who is very wealthy and another who is middle class, when the wealthy man visits us, do we act in a different manner with him? Do we treat him with greater respect and do we give him more attention than the middle class relative? If the answer is yes, then it is possible that we have the root to such a tendency within us.
7. It is also of benefit to note, that due to the easy loss of material assets, people generally will try harder to hold onto them. Therefore if a time comes where this ‘brother’ who has been selected due to his worldly status is placed between us and his assets, it is highly probably that he will choose his assets. Whereas, the true brother who has been selected based on piety will not forgo his principles and he will remain loyal to us at all times.
8. Up until now, we have understood that we should be united, increase the number of brothers we hold close to us and love them according to their level of piety. We’re then taught an etiquette which we should adhere to with our brothers. An etiquette which is very unique to Islam. Imam Ali (PBUH) states, “Do not let your brother be stronger in his affection towards you than you are towards him”. How unique! Competition in Islam between brothers is encouraged, competition to show each other affection, love and assistance.
9. Finally, in a very articulate manner, the brother of the greatest man (Muhammad (PBUH)), none other than Ali (PBUH) states, “Choose from everything that which is new, but select the oldest of brothers”. When we purchase a good, we set our eyes on that which is new.
However, Imam (PBUH) advises that when it comes to brothers the oldest of brothers, those whom we have known since childhood, should be preferred (taking into consideration their piety). This may be due to the fact that they have remained loyal to us, we have kindled a relationship of trust and love with them and they know us better than others.