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ISL201 ASSIGNMENT # 02

BC190206133
QUESTIONS:1

Islam gives the concept of universal brotherhood for the Muslims of all over the world. The
believers are joined like a building whose parts support one another. They deal one another
with kindness, sympathy and affection. To create brotherhood among believers, Allah has
described different rights, which each Muslim has over his fellow Muslim. The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The rights of one Muslim over another
are five: returning the greeting of salaam, saying ‘yarhamuk Allah (may Allah have mercy
on you)’ when he sneezes, accepting invitations, visiting the sick and attending funerals.”
(Narrated by Muslim,) You have to describe above mentioned rights in the light of Quran
and hadith.

Answer

An important Hadith (saying) of the Prophet is that religion is not what one formally or
ritualistically practices but how one deals with others. It is therefore not sufficient to be pious
without performing deeds which demonstrate one's beliefs. It is reported that the Prophet once
entered a mosque and saw at prayer a venerable old man with a long white beard. He was told
that the man was in the mosque all day long, worshipping and dispensing the words of Allah to
others. The Prophet then asked how he earned his living and was told that a merchant, not known
for his piety, supported him. The Prophet remarked that of the two, the merchant was indeed the
more worthy. The preservation of a social order depends on each and every member of that
society freely adhering to the same moral principles and practices. Islam, founded on individual
and collective morality and responsibility, introduced a social revolution in the context in which
it was first revealed. Collective morality is expressed in the Qur'an in such terms as equality,
justice, fairness, brotherhood, mercy, compassion, solidarity, and freedom of choice. Leaders are
responsible for the application of these principles and are accountable to God and man for their
administration. It is reported that a man went to Umar, the second khalifa, to talk to him.

Brotherhood in the light of Quran and hadith

 Brotherhood in Islam is a comprehensive concept that is based upon good character with
others, treating others the way we want to be treated, and uniting together upon common
values. It has three levels of degree: religion, family, and humanity. Each of these levels
has a set of rights and duties that a Muslim must uphold with others.
  The strongest level of brotherhood is the sense of community, friendship, and common
purpose in Islam for the sake of Allah. At this level, the believers work together towards
fulfilling the goals of the religion and living out its divine values.

Allah said:

The believers are but brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers and fear Allah
that you may receive mercy.
 Although we use the word “brotherhood,” what we really mean is a faith-based
community that includes both men and women as brothers and sisters in religion.

Allah said:

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. Allah will have mercy upon them, for Allah is Almighty and Wise.

Ibn Rajab writes:

 The best of deeds is to secure the heart from every type of enmity, and the best of it
is to be secure from the enmity of the people of desires and heretical innovations that
challenges the righteous predecessors of the nation, their hatred and malice towards
them, and their charges of infidelity, heresy, and misguidance against them.
Thereafter, following that is to secure the heart from enmity against the Muslims in
general, to intend good for them, to give them sincere counsel, and to love for them
what he loves for himself.

In another narration, the Prophet said:

The Muslims are like a single man. If the eye is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted. If
the head is afflicted, then the whole body is afflicted.
Source: S ̣ah ̣ih ̣ Muslim 2586, Grade: Sahih
This means the believers love for each other what they love for themselves. They avoid harming
one another, they are generous with one another, and they behave in the best manner.

Al-Halimi comments on this tradition, saying:

 It is befitting for them to be like that. As one hand would not love except what the
other loves, and one eye or one leg or one ear would not love except what the other
loves. Likewise, he should not love for his Muslim brother except what he loves for
himself. Commented [MG1]: Irrelevant