Mending Broken Ties Between People

Bismillah 

One of the goals of the shari'ah is to achieve unity in our ranks, and to make sure that our societies are as civil and as peaceful as possible. So Allah has legislated the bonds of brotherhood and made these bonds of the strongest of bonds, and Allah has legislated many things to facilitate unity among the ummah.

Among the aspects He has legislated and encouraged in the Quran and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has encouraged in the Sunnah is an aspect that many of us do not avail ourselves to earn Allah's great reward. This is mending the relationship that are broken between two people, i.e. a third party steps in and mend the relationship. 

The benefits of mending broken ties can be greater than waking up at night and pray tahajjud, reading the Quran or fasting. Tahajjud, fasting or reading Quran benefit you alone, but bringing people together brings benefit to the society. 

 لَّا خَيْرَ فِى كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَىٰهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَٰحِۭ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا ‎﴿١١٤﴾‏ 

No good is there in much of their private conversation, except for those who enjoin charity or that which is right or conciliation between people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah - then We are going to give him a great reward. (Surah An-Nisa 4:114)

The importance of mending broken ties was obvious after the Battle of Badr. 

When the first booty of war were distributed to the Companions after the battle, certain aspects happened between them -- words were said, hearts had some pain, and some anger in the hearts. On the plains of the Battle of Badr, Allah revealed this first verse of Surah Anfal to mend bonds between them.

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ‎﴿١﴾‏

They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers. (Surah Al Anfal)

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam came out and brought all the Companions back together.

You can have iman and taqwa but fights and arguments can occur between Muslims. 

What we should now? Every one of us must know two people that something has happened between them and they are not talking for months or years. Try to bring them back together. In ayah of Surah An-Nisa above, Allah says "hatch a plot", have a private meeting and bring them back together. The hatch a plot here is to have a secret or private meeting betwen you and one or two other people that know the two parties and together think of ways of bringing them together. 

When our hearts are hurt by friends and relatives, ego starts to kick in, and it needs that subtle push by a third party to get back together. 

That's why Allah had made mending broken ties a core of our religion. And that's why Allah has forbidden jealousy, gossip and talebearing because they cause dissension among people. Gossip comes from jealousy. We should stay away from them.