Like One Body

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

One of the issues facing Muslims is "life in the fast lane," and due to this lifestyle, we tend to rush our dealings with one another. The masjid should be made a focal point of our communities, where children and parents can come to learn and growth and development of the community can take place.

Men should try to pray at the masjid, especially for Fajr and 'Isha, and don't miss Jumu'ah prayer (this is an obligation). Try to take a few minutes after each prayer at the masjid to greet your brothers next to you with Salaam, and introduce yourselves to them. You should neither be shy nor be afraid of a cold response, keeping in mind that you are only seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and following the Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "You will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I not guide you to something which if you carry out you will love one another? Spread Salaam amongst yourselves." [Muslim]

It is necessary to let our brothers and sisters know that we care for their well-being, that we sincerely love them as we do our own blood relatives, and that we are ready to help them in any way we are able to.

It has been narrated by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adaabul-Mufrad that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "If one of you loves his brother for Allah's sake, then let him know, since it causes familiarity to endure and firmly establishes love."

Muslims have the responsibility to give sincere advice to their fellow Muslims to abstain from haram (unlawful) and stay on the course of halal (lawful) in every aspect of life, following the basic rule of verifying every action with Hukum Shar'iee - whether in our ibadah (worship) or mu'amulat (social transactions).

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Each of you is the mirror of his brother, so if he sees a fault in him he should wipe it away from him." [Tirmidhi]

Brotherhood in Islam imposes a great responsibility on us to protect one another from harm, even from their own selves. We should ensure that we do not allow ourselves or others around us to engage in activities that could affect the unity of the Muslim Ummah. One such activity is backbiting; we must refrain from initiating or participating in it. Allah سبحانه وتعالى revealed:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿١٢

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. 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 Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful. (12) [Qur'an Al-Hujjurat 49:12]

Envy and jealousy are also forbidden, which are the common causes of problems amongst Muslims.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him. O the slave of Allah! Be like brothers with each other. It is not allowed for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days." [Muslim & Tirmidhi]

Brotherhood in Islam is not merely a word we mention to each other when we meet casually or when we engage in business transactions. Rather, it is an obligation, and a deep sense of responsibility and caring for the well-being of our brothers and sisters, not only in our local communities but around the world as well.

Muslims are like one body. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم described the Ummah as one body; if one member becomes sick then the other members of this one body will take care of the sick one: "The Believers, in their mutual love, mercy and compassion, are like one body: if one organ complained, the rest of the body develops a fever." [Bukhari & Muslim]

May Allah guide and strengthen the Ummah and bring victory to the believers. Ameen.

Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam