By Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
By
Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya
It is for the benefit of the whole mankind that they must know Islâm as a religion that enjoins and promotes universal brotherhood, peace and unity among mankind. Islâm is the religion that goes for peace. It spreads so fast and continues to attract many people not because of sword or by force. People who know and understand its beauty, rationality, practicality and completeness peacefully embrace Islâm. The propaganda that “Islâm was spread by swords” is nothing but a lie. Allâh I makes it clear that there is no compulsion in religion and that there should be freedom of religion (2:256, 3:20, 10:99 and 109:1-6). In the past, jihad happened not because Muslims would like to impose Islâm to the non-Muslims, but because, of the resistance of the non-Muslims to give freedom to its people in knowing the Truth. Allâh I has commanded the Muslims to enjoin the truth and forbid evil. He has commanded them to invite people in beautiful preaching (16:125). Non-Muslims, however, resisted knowing the Truth and instead, fought against the Muslims. The non-Muslims should know that jihad is never meant to compel people to Islâm. Jihad is justified to defend the weak from the hands of the oppressors for the pleasure of Allâh I:
“And why should you not fight in the cause of Allâh and for those who, being weak, are ill treated (and oppressed); men, women and children, whose cry is: ‘Our Rabb! Rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from You one who will protect; and raise for us from You one who will help!’” (4:75)
As a religion for peace, Islâm sets the following injunctions that Muslims should observe in their relations with the People of the Book and other non-Muslims:
“And dispute not with the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians), except in the best way, unless it be with those of them who do wrong; and say: “We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which came down to you. Our God and your God is One (Allâh); and it is to Him we submit (in Islâm).” (29:46)
“Allâh forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them, for Allâh loves those who are just. Allâh only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). And whoever will befriend them, then such are the wrong doers.” (Qur’ân 60:8-9)
The following Qur’ânic injunctions and authentic Ahâdîth clearly show how Allâh and His Messenger r enjoin mankind, especially the Believers to promote peace, unity and universal brotherhood:
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the Sight of Allâh is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allâh has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Qur’ân 49: 13)
“Verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood and I am your Rabb (only God and Sustainer) and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other). But (later generations) cut off their affair (of unity) one from another: (yet) will they all return to Us.” (Qur’ân 21:92-93)
“The believers are but a single Brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers: And fear Allâh, that you may receive Mercy.” (Qur’ân, 49:10)
An-Numan bin Bashir t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” (Bukhâri 8/40)
Anas Bin Malik t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “Do not hate one another, nor be jealous of one another; and do not desert one another, but O Allâh’s worshipers! Be Brothers! And it is unlawful for a Muslim to desert his brother Muslim (and not to talk to him) for more than three nights.” (Bukhâri 8/99)
Anas t narrated that the Prophet r said, “None of you will have faith till he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.” (Bukhâri 1/ 12)
Ibn Umar t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said, “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, Allâh will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allâh will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim Allâh will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.” (Bukhâri 3/622)
Abu Musa t narrated that the Prophet r said, “A believer for another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.” The Prophet r then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced. (At that time) the Prophet r was sitting and a man came and begged or asked for something. The Prophet r faced us and said, “Help and recommend him and you will receive the reward for it, and Allâh will bring about what He wills through his Prophet’s tongue.” (Bukhâri 8 /55)
Abu Musa t reported Allâh’s Messenger r as saying: “A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other.” (Bukhâri 3 /626 and Muslim 4/6257)
Nu’man bin Bashir t reported Allâh’s Messenger r as saying: “The believers are like one person; if his head aches, the whole body aches with fever and sleeplessness.” (Muslim 4/ 6260)
The above authentic teachings clearly show how Islâm encourages Muslims all over the world to promote brotherhood and peace. It is for our own success that we Muslims must revive the concept of brotherhood which Allâh’s Messenger r and his Companions demonstrated to us. Let not this materialistic world divide us Muslims to be unmindful of our brothers' needs and problems. After all, through the advancement of science and technologies, Allâh I has made all means of communications and transportation easy for us. There is no reason why Muslims in all parts of the world can not be truly organized as one Ummah in the same way as many non-Muslims are organized and united under the so-called United Nations and other international organizations.
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