Fraternity means brotherhood. It is in line with the concept of Islam about brotherhood to aim solidarity and society and strengthening human relations. As in the college, there are some community group and the group is Fraternity (for boys group, it means brotherhood. While for girls group namely sorority, means sisterhood). Yet, Islam has its concept many years ago, a large group which the member is just as the brother (or sister). There are some ways about fraternity in Islam:
- Islam Consider the Messenger of God as a Father
Islam considers the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is a father and all Moslem society is his children so that Moslems are the brotherhood. There no boundaries in the brotherhood of Islam, no exception came from the color, origination and the language. As it is quoted in Quran 49:10 (Al-Hujurat)
“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”
See also: Dua to Make Friends in Islam
- Teaching the Humanity of in the Islamic Brotherhood
The per-Islamic age was full of hatred, hostility, and conflict amongst people. Yet after Islam came down into divine revelation infused a new life of fraternity in humanity, thus giving rise to Islamic brotherhood. As quoted in Quran 3:103 (Ali Imran):
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided”
- Trust the Brother / Sister Moslem and Never Betraying Each Other
Thus, treat any of them who comes to you with grace and love; and convey to your (Muslim) brother whatever is incumbent on a brother from a brother.
The sixth Imam, Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
“A Moslem is brother of another Moslem , and he is his eyes (to look through good and evil) and his mirror (to point out his merits and demerits) and his guide. Never does he betray him nor does any injustice to him nor deceives him nor tells him any lie nor backbites him”.
See also: How to Be Happy in Islam
- Protect the Mutual Right Among Moslems
Moslem should forgive the mistake to the brother of Moslem because nobody perfect and sometimes makes mistakes. Moreover, we should sympathize and kind to the Moslem brother. The Messenger of Allah said in a hadith:
“A Moslem must forgive the mistakes and should sympathize to the fellow Moslems in his distress; should cover his defects and pardon his slips; should accept his apology, protect him in his absence (against his backbiters) and continue giving him good advice; should preserve his friendship, visit him in sickness, accept his invitation and gift, and equally compensate his favour; should have regard for his affection; talk to him gently and love his friends and should not be jealous of them should not leave him in the thick of miseries and (lastly) should like for him whatever good he likes for himself, and should hate him whatever evil he hates for himself”.
See also: Surah for Forgiveness of Major Sins
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5. The Brotherhood is Describe as Whole Body
We describe that the brotherhood is such as our body, if one of them get suffered, so that other parts of the body are likely felt it. As the Messenger of Allah said narrated bu an-Numan bin Bansyir Radhiyallahu anhu:
“It is describe as the Moslem with one another is in terms of mutual love, mutual love and mutual gentleness between them is like one body. If one part of the body is sick, then all the limbs also feel fever and the person own the body got sleep disorder”. (HR Nukhari)
See also: Quran Verses about Love
6. Never Break the Brotherhood / Sisterhood of Moslem
It is narrated by Abdullah bin Abi Aufa ra. In the evening of Arafah day when the Messenger of Allah surrounded by the companions then he said that “If in this assembly there are people who break the relationship, please stand up, do not sit with us” And at that time, among the present there was only one who stood, and even then sat in the distance. Then the man left for a short time, after which he came and sat down again. Then, Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) asked him, “You are the only one who stands of among all, and then you come and sit back, what really happened?”
He then said, “Upon hearing your words, I immediately met my aunt who broke the relationship with me. Because of my arrival, she said, “Why do you come, not as you usually come here.” Then I say her what you have said. Then she asked for forgiveness for me, and I asked for forgiveness for her (after we made peace, then I came here again).
So the Prophet said to him, “You have done a good deed, sit down, God’s grace will not come down to a people if there are people who break the relationship.” A quoted in Quran as well in 49:10 (Al Hujuraat):
“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.”
See also: How to Greetings in Islam
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7. The Brotherhood Means Helping Each Other
Whatever a Moslem desires it means that he should desire for the brother in Islam as well. It is not Islamic Brotherhood if you have enough water, food and cloth while another Moslem are in the poverty.
Imam Sadiq said:
“If you have a servant and your brother in Islam does not have any, you must send your servant to help your brother prepare food, clean clothes, and perform any other needed work”
See also: How to Increase Iman in Islam
8. Remind Each Other in the Way of Allah
Unity and brotherhood do not mean ignore to warn wrongdoer, even though it is only a bid’ah (gossiping other people). The important thing must be in accordance with the way that is taught by the Messenger of Allah , whether it is gentle or hard way to warn.
Reminding each other in order to obey the truth and endure patience must keep going, for it is the command of Allah Almighty and His Messenger. It is quoted in Quran 103 / 1-3:
“By time. Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience”
See also: Best Dua to Thank Allah SWT
9. Expressing Your Affection to Your Brother
Islam teaches the Moslem expressing loving with caring to the fellows in order to strengthen the fraternity among the Moslems. As the Messenger of Allah said:
“When a person feel love to his brother, let him expressed the love to him” (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).
Other hadith narrated by Anas said that someone was on beside of theMessenger of Allah and one of his friends passed by. The Messenger said, ‘I love him, O Messenger of Allah’ the messenger replied, ‘Tell him’, the man replied ‘not yet’, then the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Tell him’, then the person told him and said ‘I love you for Allah’, then the person beloved said, ‘May Allah loves you because you love me because of Him” (Abu Dawud).
10. Shake Hands and Say Salaam
Shake hands is one of physical touch form that can touch the hearts of both parties with sincere intentions because of Allah. Hold your brother’s hand tightly and warmly, until the spirit in the handshake can sink in deeply. Messenger of Allah. said,
“No two Muslims meet and shake hands but both are forgiven of their sins before separation.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)
When Moslems meet each other in some situation, they express their brotherhood by saying Salaam (assalamualaikum) then shake hands each other.
See also: Importance of Islamic Months
11. Visit Each Other Place
In addition to strengthening the fraternity in Islam, visiting each other is one way that will lead us to gain love from Allah. It is according to the Messenger of Allah that said”
“Allah swt. said, ‘Will surely get my love those who love for me, both of them visit each other for me, and give each other because of me’. “(Naram ‘s Imam Malik).
See also : The Rights of Neighbours in Islam
Brotherhood / Fraternity in Islam are mutually reinforcing and supporting one another eventhough it be more than a family relationship. As a Muslim other than a relationship with God (vertical lines) also required a relationship with fellow human beings instead (horizontal lines). Hopefully, this article will further strengthen the fraternity relationship of fellow Moslem.