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Contents
Forward Biography of Abu Khadeejah Al-Jazaairee Introduction The Creed for True Brotherhood The Rights Owed to Your Brothers Getting to Know Brothers Choosing Your Companions Meeting & Greeting Your Brother Being a Good Companion Gestures of Affection & Friendship Giving Gifts Taking Care of Your Brother Loving Your Brothers Being Caring & Considerate Supplicating for Your Brother Joking with Brothers Advising your Brother When Problems Arise Forgiving & Seeking Forgiveness Being Alone Without Companions Ab Bakr Al-Siddq A True Friend Stories of Brotherhood from the Salaf The Concept of Soulmates Brothers In Jannah 1 2 3 4 6 9 11 14 16 17 20 21 22 25 26 28 29 31 37 39 40 41 44 45
Forward
I have read your book and I found it very beneficial and interesting, as it offers great advice particularly in the current state of the lack of unity amongst us. It is a really touching and amazing reminder as well as a warning to those who have lost any sense of brotherhood.
It gives an impressive and strong message to hold onto the teaching of Islam. Abu Khadeejah Al-Jazaairee
nahu wa Taala enabled him to come to England where he met a Sunni Iraqi scholar named Abu Abdur-Rahman Salmaan who has a Ph.D in Islamic Studies and now lectures at a University in apparent. Abu Khadeejah has visited Makkah and Medinah on various occasions where he has met major and senior scholars such as: Shaykh SalihAl-Fawzan, Shaykh Rabee Al-Madkhali, ShaykhMuhammad Hassan Al-Banna, Shaykh WasseeAllah Abbass, Shaykh Ahmad Bazmoul, ShaykhAbdurRahman Al-Ajlan, Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ajlan, Shaykh Abdullah Al-Bukhari inMadinah, Shaykh Saeed Al-Bukhari in Makkah, Shaykh Ibraheem Ruhaylee, Shaykh UbaydAl-Jaabiri, Shaykh Salih As-Suhaymee, ShaykhAhmad An-Najmee, Shaykh Salih Al-Luhaydan, Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad Muhaddith,Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ethiopee, Shaykh ZaydAl-Madkhali, Shaykh Saalim At-Taweel from Kuwait and Shaykh Falah Ismail from Kuwait. He has met around 30 scholars. He has been the Imam (leading five daily salaah and giving khutbah) at Cricklewood Mosque AlFurqaan and at Dar Al-Iman Mosque. Every year he participates in national (summer and winter) dawah in different languages in Cranford, Shepherds Bush, Wembley, Slough, Harrow Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff. At the moment he teaches in Wembley, Cranford and Shepherds Bush Mosques. Currently the noble brother regularly delivers lectures at mosques, colleges and universities for brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims in Arabic, English and French. In addition, the brother answers questions by email and phone and does counselling for family issues. Qatar. He studied with him for nearly 3 years, before the issues in the scholars manhaj became
Abu Khadeejah has written two books about Tafseer and Fiqh in Arabic and is currently in the process of writing more books, which will be translated in to English in shaaa Allah. He is preparing a PhD in Ahadith, Arabic Sciences and Usool al Fiqh for Asyoot University (based in Egypt) branch in Oxford University. Written by Abu Al Ula Al-Ansaary (HekmatBin Ataya) (Edited) 29th of Rajab 1432
Introduction
I compiled this book because I felt that as a Muslim in this Ummah, brotherhood is a quality we are lacking in amongst each other, despite the great display of brotherhood by the salaf amongst themselves. I advise myself, then you to fear Allah in these matters and not to fear the people and how they perceive the affections practised by the salaf of brotherhood, but to adhere to the true brotherhood of the Salaf and to practise and revive the brotherhood they shared amongst themselves as much as possible in our daily lives. I advise myself, then you to be the first to initiate the friendship, to make the effort, to give the gift, to increase the love for the sake of Allah and to apologise and leave argumentation, to be careful in these affairs, to love your brother greater than he loves you, to be the first to show affection and regularly do so and to treat each other with kindness, love and affection as the Prophet Muhammed taught us. I am grateful to Allah that He has allowed me to complete this task and achieve something that I have always wished to accomplish. I ask Allah to increase the Muslims in brotherhood and love for the sake of Allah. Your brother Rami Abu Al Saud
And He has united their (i.e. believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise. (al-Anfaal 8/63). This miracle, possible only for Allah, occurred and it could occur only with this aqeedah (creed). These hearts which were averse and these headstrong dispositions changed and they became a closely united group of amenable brothers, loving one another and united in a companionship of a level unknown in history, the like of which has not been upon the earth. Indeed this aqeedah (creed) is truly a source of amazement. When it enters the hearts it produces a mixture of love, companionship and affection between hearts which it causes to become tender and sensitive, it ties them with a bond that is strong, profound and gentle. So that the glance of an eye, the touch of a hand, and the beat of the heart contain realities of mutual compassion and mutual acquaintance, mutual friendship and alliance, mutual aid, liberality and forbearance whose secrets is not known except by the One who through His mercy, united these hearts and these things are not experienced except by these hearts. (From the book: Love and Hate for the sake of Allah by Shaykh Saleem alHilaalee). The Prophet said, "A faithful believer to a faithful believer is like the bricks of a wall, enforcing each other." While (saying that) the Prophet clasped his hands, by interlacing his fingers. (Narrated Abu Musa, Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 468).
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Al-Fawzaan says in explanation: "So the believers from the first of the creation until the last of them whether they are distant by their countries or distant throughout the ages of time are loving brothers guiding the latter of them by the former of them supplicating one for the other seeking forgiveness one for the other." (Muhaadhiraat Fil Aqeedah wa AdDawah pg.257-258 v. 1). Ibn `Umar reported that the messenger said: "A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does he hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfils his brother's needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and if anyone covers up a Muslim (his sins), Allah will cover him up (his sins) on the Resurrection Day". (Bukhari/Muslim, Riyad-us-Saliheen Chapter 29 Hadith 244).
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. (The Family of Imran 3:103).
The Second Right: When he invites you, respond to his invitation. This means that when he invites you with an invitation to some food and drink, then fulfils the request of your brother who has drawn near to you and honoured you with the invitation. Respond to his invitation (i.e. accept it), unless you have an excuse. The Third Right: His statement, And when he seeks your advice, advise him. This means that if he seeks consultation with you regarding some action, as to whether he should do it or not, then advise him with that which you would like for yourself. Thus, if the action is something that is beneficial in all aspects, then encourage him to do that, and if it is something harmful, then warn him against it. And if the action contains both benefit and harm, then explain that to him and weigh the benefits against the harms. Likewise, if he consults with you concerning some dealing with someone among the people, or whether he should marry a woman off to someone, or whether he should marry someone, then extend your pure and sincere advice to him, and deal with him from the view point of what you would do for you own self. And avoid deceiving him in any matter of these things. For verily whoever deceives the Muslims, then he is not of them, and indeed he has left off the obligation of being sincere and advising. And this sincerity and advising is absolutely obligatory, however it becomes more emphasized when the person seeks your advice and he requests from you that you give him a beneficial opinion. For this reason the Prophet specifically mentioned it in this important situation. The Fourth Right: And when he sneezes and praises Allah, then pray for mercy upon him. This is due to the fact that sneezing is a favour from Allah, in the expelling of this congested air that is blocked in certain parts of the body of the human being. Allah makes it easy for this air to have a passage out where it can exit, and thus the sneezing person feels relief. Thus, the Prophet legislated that the person praise Allah for this favour, and he legislated for his (Muslim) brother to say to him, May Allah have mercy upon you. He also commanded the person who sneezed to answer his (Muslim) brother by saying to him, May Allah guide you and set right your affairs. Therefore, whoever does not praise Allah, then he does not deserve for others to pray for mercy upon him, and in this case he cannot blame anyone except himself. For he is the one who has caused himself to lose the two blessings: the blessing of praising Allah, and the blessing of his brothers supplication for him that is a result of the praising.
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The Fifth Right: His statement, And when he becomes ill, visit him. Visiting the sick is from the rights of the Muslim, and especially for the person who has a highly stressed and emphasized right upon you, like the relative, and the friend, and so forth. It is from the best of the righteous deeds. And whoever visits his Muslim brother, he remains engulfed in the mercy (of Allah), and when he sits with him the mercy (of Allah) covers him. And whoever visits the sick Muslim at the beginning of the day, the Angels send prayers of blessing upon him until evening comes, and whoever visits him at the end of the day, the Angels send prayers of blessing upon him until morning comes. It is desired for the person who visits the sick to supplicate for him to be cured and to make him feel at ease. He should ease his worries by giving him glad tidings of well-being and recovery (i.e. be positive). He should remind him of repentance and turning to Allah, and he should give him beneficial admonition. He should not sit with him too long (i.e. over staying his welcome), rather he should only sit with him long enough fulfil the right of visiting, unless the sick person is positively affected by many people coming in to see him and many people coming to sit with him. Thus, for each situation there is a different statement (i.e. advice on how to deal with it). The Sixth Right: His statement, And if he dies, follow him (his funeral). For verily whoever follows the funeral until the deceaseds body is prayed over, then he will receive a Qeeraat of reward. (Note: A Qeeraat is an amount equivalent to the size of the Mountain of Uhud in Madinah.) And if he follows the funeral procession until the body is buried, then he will receive two Qeeraats of reward. And following the funeral procession contains (fulfilment of) a right for Allah, a right for the deceased, and a right for the living relatives of the deceased. (Bahjatu Quloob il-Abraar wa Qurratu Uyoon il-Akhyaar fee Jaami il-Akhbaar, pp. 6567, hadith no. 29).
Ibn Jarir relates from ibn Abbas: "Whoever loves but for Allah, and whoever hates but for Allah, Whoever befriends but for Allah, would obtain Allah's friendship. No matter how often he prays or how long he fasts, man will not taste the sweetness of Iman, unless this description becomes true of him. Most people befriend their Friends but for the world, (Not for Allah), which is utterly worthless." (Kitab At Tawheed Pg. 95).
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There is a phrase that is constantly on the tongues of the Fuqaha (jurists): Repelling something is easier than removing it. So, if he requires someone to befriend, let that person be righteous, religious, pious, wary, intelligent, full of benefit, having little evil, good at complying, rarely conflicting, reminding him if he forgets, cooperating with him when he is reminded, helpful if he is in need, and comforting if he is in distress. (Ibn Jamaah in Tadhkirat as-Sami wal-Mutakallim). "Whoever does not love Knowledge, then there is no good in him; so there should not be any acquaintance between you and him, nor any friendship." (Malik ibn Anas (radhi Allahu anhu) al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih. Volume 1, Page 15; Mabaahith fee Ahkaam al-Fatwa - Page 12). Ali Ibn Al-Hussein (radi Allahu anhu : "Indeed one only sits with those who benefits him in his deen" (Tahdeeb At-Tahdeeb, 3/396). Ibn Mas'ood (radi Allahu anhu) said, "There wouldn't be any sin upon you if you only accompanied the one who aides you upon the remembrance of Allah." (Min AkhbaarisSalaf, abridged, p.231). Shaqq Al-Balakh Allh have mercy on him was once asked, What is the mark of (true) repentance? He replied, Continued crying over past sins, deep fear of falling into them again, staying away from bad company, and keeping the company of good people. (Ab Bakr Al-Daynr, Al-Mujlasah wa Jawhir Al-Ilm article 2645). Malik Ibn Dinaar said to his brother in law Mughirah bin Habib: "O' Mughirah! look at every brother and every friend of yours, every companion of yours who does not benefit you in your deen, then get rid of his companionship. For indeed he is rather an enemy to you. O' Mughirah! People are of different forms, the pigeons are with pigeons, the crows with the crows and the wrens with the wrens, each one is with his likeness" (al-Muntaqaa min makaarimi al-Akhlaaq 159). Al Awzaee said: The friend is like a patch in the garment; if it doesnt resemble the rest of the garment it will make it ugly. (Ash-Shuab, 7/9452).
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Ibn al-Qayyim said: "Know that the greatest of losses is for you to be preoccupied with one who will bring you nothing but a loss in your time with Allah - the Mighty and Majestic and being cut off from Him, a wasting your time with the person, a weakening of your energy, and the dispersing of your resolve. So, if you are tested with this - and you must be tested with this - deal with him according to how Allah would wish, and be patient with him as much as possible. Get closer to Allah and His Pleasure by way of this person, and make your getting together with him something to benefit from, not something to incur a loss from. Be with him as if you are a man who is on a road who was stopped by another man, who then asks you to take him on your journey. Make sure that you are the one who gives him a ride, and that he is not the one giving you the ride. If he refuses, and there is nothing to gain from travelling with him, do not stop for him, bid him farewell, and do not even turn back to look at him, as he is a highway robber, regardless of who he really is. So, save your heart, be wary of how you spend your days and nights, and do not let the Sun set before you arrive at your destination." ('al-Wabil as-Sayyib'; p. 45).
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When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things. (alNisa 4:86) Anas bin Malik said: When the people of Yemen came, the Prophet said: The people of Yemen have come, and they have softer hearts than you, and they were the first people to initiate the tradition of shaking hands. ('Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah' 527). al-Hassan al-Basri rahimahullah said: "Handshaking increases friendliness" (al-Muntaqaa Min Makaarimil Akhlaaq 189). Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib said: "Part of the full greeting is to shake your brother's hand." (Al-Adab al-Mufrad 968). A narration traced back to the Prophet of Hudhayfa (radi Allahu anhu): Indeed, if the believer meets (another) believer, and gives him the salaam, and takes hold of his hand and shakes it, their sins fall off as the leaves of a tree. Al-Mundhuri said (270/3): AtTabaraani narrated it - Al-Albani. It was narrated that al-Bara ibn Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah said: There are no two Muslims who meet and shake hands, but they will be forgiven before they part. Hasan by al-Tirmidhi (2727); narrated by Ibn Maajah (3703); classed as Sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Targheeb, 2718. Abu Hurairah said the Messenger of Allah said, When one of you meets his brother then let him give him the salaam. If a tree, wall or rock divides them then let them give the salaam upon meeting again. Abu Dawud (Eng. Trans. 3/1435 no. 5181). Its isnaad is Sahih consisting of trustworthy and precise narrators. Silsilatus-Sahihah (186).
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Imm Ahmad: "If a person delivers Salaam to you from someone, then it is recommended to answer: 'Alayka wa 'Alayhi salaam.' (Aadaab ush-Sharee'ah 1/475). Al-Tufayl b. Ubay b. Kab narrated that he used to come to Abdullh b. Umar and go with him to the market. He said, Whenever we went to the market, Abdullh b. Umar would never pass a cheap goods merchant, a seller, a poor person or anyone else except that he would greet them with salms. He continued, So I came to him one day and he asked me to go to the market with him. I said, And what are you going to do at the market? You never stop to buy anything, you never ask about goods, you never price anything and you never sit in the market gatherings. Sit with us here and we can talk. So he said to me, O Ab Batn (i.e. possessor of the belly; Al-Tufayl had a big belly)! We only go out for salms, to greet those we meet. (Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Al-Albns Sahh Al-Adab AlMufrad Vol. 1 p395). Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, the Messenger of Allah said: Do not disparage (underestimate) any good deed (no matter how small it is), even if that deed was to meet your brother with a cheerful face. Another translations states: Abu Dharr reported: Allah's Apostle said to me: Don't consider anything insignificant out of good things even if it is that you meet your brother with a cheerful countenance. (Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6359). Sheikh Saleem al-Hilaalee says: Know, O brother, that visiting someone too frequently will cause him to tire of it, the more frequently that one visits then the more tired of it he will become, likewise visiting but seldomly will be insufficient and will lead to hardening of the hearts. Therefore visit your brother now and again. He said: Visit now and again your love will increase. (Sahih; reported by al-bazzaar and others: Sahihul-Jaami). It was said to Muhammad Ibn al-Munkadir: "What is left of your pleasure?" he said: "Meeting up with the brothers and making them feel happy" (al-Bidaaya Wan-Nihaaya, 7/297). Fu'aad Ibn 'Abdul-'azeez ash-Shulhoob: "When two people eat together, they develop a sense of love and friendship for one another, and a person should limit those feelings to those who are righteous." (The book of manners, p.425).
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Jaabir bin Abdullaah said: A hadith reached me from a man who heard it from the Messenger of Allah . So I bought a camel and set out on a journey. I travelled for one month until I reached Shaam and came across (the residence of) Abdullah bin Anees, so I said to the doorman, Say to him that Jaabir is at the door. The doorman further asked, Ibn Abdullah? I replied Yes! So he came out trampling over his clothes, then he hugged me and I hugged him. (Bukhari reported in al-Adab al-Mufrad 970 and Ahmed 3/495). It was narrated from Awn ibn Abi Juhayfah that his father said: When Jafar came after he had migrated to Abyssinia, the Prophet embraced him and kissed him between the eyes (his forehead). (Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer (2/108); with many corroborating reports which were mentioned by al-Haafiz ibn Hajar in al-Talkhees al-Habeer, 4/96/ it was classed as Sahih by Shaykh al-Albani in al-Silsilah al-Sahihah, 2657). Imam al-Baghawi said after mentioning the hadith of Jafar: With regard to the kind of embracing and kissing that is makrooh, it is that which is done by way of flattery and veneration when a person is not travelling. The kind that is permitted is that which is done when bidding farewell and when a person returns from a journey, and when meeting someone after not seeing him for a long time and when there is intense love for the sake of Allah. What is to be kissed is not the mouth but rather the hand, head and forehead. (Sharh al-Sunnah (12/293)). Thabit al-Bunani said: When Anas would wake up, he would rub sweetly scented oil on his hands for when he would shake hands with his brothers. This was authenticated by al-Albani in Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad (774). Husayn al-Awayshah commented: This shows how eager they were to make their brothers happy and pleasant. In Bukharis alAdab al-Mufrad (1012). Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet said: A man used to lend money to people, and he used to say to his servant, 'When you come to one who is in difficulty, let him off, perhaps Allah will let us off.' And when he met Allah, Allah let him off. (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 2/108, hadith no. 2899). Yunus As-Sadafie said: I have never seen a wiser man than ash-Shafi`ee, I was arguing with him one day about an issue and I left him. One day, he met me, held my hand and said: Cannot we be brothers, even if we disagree about something? ("Siyaar A'laam AlNubala", 10/16).
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Man bin s said: "Mlik bin Anas was once returning from the mosque, leaning on my arm..." (Al-jurr, Ktb Al-Sharah Vol.1 p128). 'Abdullah bin Hisham Narrated: We were with the Prophet while he was holding 'Umar bin Al-Khattab by the hand. (Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, Number 43).
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Giving Gifts
The Prophet said: "Give gifts to one another, you will come to love one another." (Hasan. In Bukhari's al-Adabul-Mufrad & declared hasan by al-Albani in al-Irwaa (1601)). Fu'aad Ibn 'Abdul-'azeez ash-Shulhoob: "One of the ways of increasing love between brothers and of removing rancour from their hearts is for them to give gifts to one another." (The book of manners, p.429). Zaid Ibn Al-Hubaab reported that he heard Sufyaan say, "All of the following are lawful things in this life: wealth that is earned through honest trade; an endowment that is given by a just ruler; a gift that is given out of love by a believing brother; or inheritance that is pure (and has not been mixed with unlawfully derived wealth). (The biography of Sufyaan Ath Thauree p.79). The Prophet said: "Shake hands, for this will dispel rancour (deep feeling of enmity), and exchange gifts and love one another, for this will dispel hatred." (Narrated by Malik in al-Muwatta, 1413).
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Fu'aad Ibn 'Abdul-'azeez ash-Shulhoob: "when two people love each other for the sake of Allah (Subhnahu wa ta'l), they should search their hearts every once in a while and check - has anything mixed with their love and contaminated it's purity?" (The book of manners, p. 426). Al-Fudayl bin 'Iyad said: "If you love for the people to have exactly what you have (and nothing more), then you have not been true to your Lord. So, how is it when you secretly wish for them to have less than what you have?" ('Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam'; 1/309). al-Karmaani rahimahullah said: "...and from Imaan too is to hate for your brother what you hate for yourself, of evil!" (Fathul Baari 1/74). It is compulsory for an intelligent individual who was blessed by Allah to have love for a Muslim, to stay close/cling on to him. He should accustom himself to stay in contact with him if he cuts him off, to turn towards him if he turns away, to give him if he withholds, to draw close to him if he distances himself, to the point that he is like a pillar in his life. ibn Hibbaan Rawdat al Uqalaa: P. 49. Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that Mu'adh ibn Jabal said: "If you love someone, do not quarrel with him and do not annoy him. Do not ask others about him, for the one you ask might be his enemy and thus tell you things about him that are not true and thus break you apart." (Bukhari: Book of Manners #545). The Messenger of Allah said: "Love your loved ones moderately, as one day he may become someone you hate! And hate the one you hate moderately, as one day he may become someone you love!" Found in at-Tirmithee on the authority of Aboo Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu). It is Sahih as Shaykh 'Alee al-Halabee shows in "Forty Hadith on the Islamic Personality" (#3). Umar bin Al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) said: "Do not let your love be a total infatuation. Do not let your anger be destruction." Aslam asked, "How can that be?" Umar replied, "That is when you love, you are infatuated like a child, and when you hate, you desire your companions destruction." (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad page.263 of Imam Bukhari).
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Sufyaan Ath Thauree said: "Verily, I meet a man whom I despise, but then he says, 'How was your morning?' No sooner does he say that than my heart softens towards him. If that is how I feel towards someone who simply asks how I am, imagine then, how I should feel towards someone whose food I eat." - Biography of Sufyaan Ath Thauree. p.95. Hudaifah Ibn Qataadah al-Mar'ashi -Rahimahullah- said: "If only I had found somebody who truly hates me for the sake of Allah, I would have made it mandatory upon myself to love him" (Siyar A'laam An-Nubalaa (9/283)). Habib bin al-Jilaab said, I asked Abdullaah bin Mubaarak "What's the best thing a human being can be gifted with?" He replied "A deep understanding" I said if not that? He replied "Good manners" I said if not that? He replied "A caring brother" I said if not that? He replied "Long silence" I said if not that? He replied "An early death" (adh-Dhahabi, Siyaar Alaam an-Nubalaa). Bishr Bin As-Siriy (rahimahullaah) said: It is not from the signs of love that you love what makes your beloved one angry. (Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam:page: 85-86). Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that Mu'adh ibn Jabal said, "If you love someone, do not quarrel with him and do not annoy him. Do not ask others about him, for the one you ask might be his enemy and thus tell you things about him that are not true and thus break you apart." (Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 545). The Prophet said, "The believer has an affinity for others (i.e. gets along with/ becomes accustomed to/ naturally likes other believers) and there is no good in the one who does not have an affinity with others, nor does not let others have an affinity with him" (Ahmad. Graded Sahih by Albani in Sahih ul-Jaami', 6661, and As-Sahihah, 426).
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The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever has a favour done for him and says Jazaak Allahu khayran (Allah reward you with good) has done his utmost to thank him. (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 2035 classed as Sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Tirmidhi). The Prophet said: Whoever does you a favour, then reciprocate (respond, return it), and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him until you think that you have reciprocated him. (Narrated by Abu Dawood (1672); classed as Sahih by al-Albani). The Prophet said: Whenever one of you sees something with his brother that amazes him, ask Allah to bless him. (Collected by ibn Majah (3500) and graded as being Sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani). Yahya bin Muadh said: A friend is the one who you dont have to remind to remember you in his supplication, and that you dont have to flatter and impress, and that you dont have to apologize to. (pg.46 The Manners of Seeking Knowledge by Sheikh Raslan).
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Once Talhah came to Abdul-Jabbaar Ibn Waail whle he was sitting with some people, so he whispered something to him and then left. He (Talhah) asked them, Do you know what he just said to me? He said, Yesterday I saw that you had looked around while you were performing the prayer. (Raudatul Uqaalaa, p. 197). Abu Hurayra said: "A believer is the mirror of his brother. When he sees a fault in it, he should correct it."' (al-Adab al-Mufrad 238).
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O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith [i.e. to call your Muslim brother (a faithful believer) as: "O sinner", or "O wicked", etc.]. And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimun (wrong-doers, etc.). (Al Hujurat - 49:11). Ibn 'Abbas spoke about the words of Allah Almighty: "Do not find fault with one another" (49:11) and he said that these words mean, "Do not attack one another." (Al-Adab alMufrad, 329). The Prophet said: "No two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, or for the sake of Islam, will let the first minor offence of either of them come between them." (Bukhari in al-Adab Al-Mufrad). Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: "If every time two Muslims have a dispute they part ways as a consequence, then no affection or brotherhood will remain among Muslims!" (Majmoo' al-Fatawaa Vol. 24, page 173). Fudayl Ibn Iyaad asid: Whoever seeks a brother without faults would never have a brother to be his friend. (Raudatul Uqaalaa, p. 169).
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Prophet Muhammed said: "I am a claimant for a house in the outskirts of Paradise for one who leaves off arguing even if he is in the right" 'Sahih ul-Jaami us-Sagheer' (no.1477). (Abu Dawud - Hadith Sahih). Quoted by Shaikh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albani in "Manaasik-ul-Hajj wal 'Umrah". Jaabir (radi Allahu anhu) reported that Allahs Messenger said: The dearest of you to me and the nearest of you to me in station on the Day of Resurrection are the best of you in manners. And the most hated of you to me and the farthest from me on the Day of Resurrection are chatter-boxes, bigmouthed (who speak much without deliberation and caution) and the mutafayhiqoon. They asked: O Messenger of Allah, we know those who speak much, but who are the mutafayhiqoon? He said: Those who speak with arrogance. (Tirmidhee (2018) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albani (rahimuhullah) in al-Sahihah (791)). Abu'l-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say: "Shall I not tell you about something that is better for you than charity and fasting? Reconcile between your brothers, for hatred diminishes reward." (Reported by Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad, 1/505, Bab al-shahna'). Prophet Muhammed said: "One of you sees a small speck of dirt in the eye of his brother, but fails to see the large piece of dirt in his own eye." (at-Targhib wat-Tarhib 3/236). Ibn 'Abbas said, "If you wish to mention the faults of your friend, mention your own faults first." (Bukhari's Book of Manners, 329). Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said: Whoever has wronged his brother, should ask for his pardon (before his death) as (in the Hereafter) there will be neither a Dinar nor a Dirham. (He should secure pardon in this life) before some of his good deeds are taken and paid to his brother or if he has done no good deeds some of the bad deeds of his brother are taken to be loaded on him (in the Hereafter) Bukhari 8.541. Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad rahimahullah: "By Allah! It is not permissible for you to even hurt a dog or a pig except for just cause. So how can you hurt a Muslim?" (Makaarim al-Akhlaaq 3/379).
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"There are seventy-two forms of riba, the least of which is as bad as a man having intercourse with his own mother, and the worst of which is when a man slanders the honour of his brother." (Silsilah al-Sahih, 1871). Abu Musa Al-Asharee (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said, Verily Allah looks at His creation on the 15th of Shaban and forgives everyone except a person who commits shirk and a person who feels rancour towards his brother. (Collected by Ibn Majah (1390) Ibn Abee Asim (510) and others. Graded as being Sahih by Shaykh Al-Albani). Umar ibn al-Khattab: None is endowed with a blessing from Allah, except that youll find someone envying him for it. And even if a person were to be more upright than an arrow, you shall still find someone criticising him. And a word brings no harm if there is no-one entertaining it. (Rawdhatul-Uqala by Ibn Hibban). Narrated Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle said, "Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales and don't look for the other's faults and don't spy and don't hate each other, and don't desert one another. O Allah's slaves, be brothers!" (Bukhari Book 80, Hadith no.717). Shaykh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah said: "You haven't rewarded someone who disobeyed Allah in hurting you, with better than obeying Allah in being good to him" (AlFataawaa 1/245). On the authority of 'Alee who said: when I held onto the weapon of Messenger of Allah I found a slip of paper in the sheath of the sword (scabbard) of Allahs Messenger which had on it: 'Keep good relations with the one who breaks away from you. Be good to the one who is bad to you and say the truth even if it is against yourself.' Taken from Silsilah Ahadith As-Sahihah of Shaykh Al-Albani. Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya. It was narrated from Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah came out with the news of Laylat al-Qadr, but two men among the Muslims started arguing. He said: I came out to tell you about Laylat al-Qadr, but So and so and So and so started arguing, so (that knowledge) was taken away. Perhaps that will be better for you. So seek it on the (twenty-) seventh and the (twenty-) ninth and the (twenty-) fifth. (Bukhari, Book 2, Number 46).
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Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet said, "Allah will cover up on the Day of Resurrection the defects (faults) of the one who covers up the faults of the others in this world". (Muslim, Riyad Us Saliheen, chapter 28, hadith 240). Narrated Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah's Apostle said, "Beware of suspicion, for it is the worst of false tales and don't look for the other's faults and don't spy and don't hate each other, and don't desert one another. O Allah's slaves, be brothers!" (Bukhari, Book 80, Hadith 717). The Prophet said, "He who defends his brother in his absence, Allah will defend him in this world and in the Hereafter. Related by al-Bayhaqi from the relation of Anas (Radi Allahu anhu), and it is hasan. See 'Sahih al-Jaami' (no. 6575), and 'as-Sahihah' (no.1217) for detailed documentation. From Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu): the Prophet said: The son of Aadam does not perform a better deed than the prayer, and reconciling between two parties, and good manners. (Bukhari in al-Taareekh (1/1/63) and graded as Hasan by Shaikh al-Albani in al-Sahihah (1448)). Abdullah ibn al-Mubaarak rahimahullah said: "The believer is the one who seeks the excuse for his brothers, and the hypocrite is the one who seeks their faults" (Aadaab al'Ishrah 1/8). Abdullaah Ibn Muhammad Ibn Manaazil saood: The Believer seeks excuses for his brothers, and the hypocrite seeks the mistakes for his brothers. (Ash-Shuab, 7/11197). Ibn Qudaama al-Maqdisi rahimahullah: "Know that it is not from loyalty, to agree with the brother in that which goes against the Deen" (Mukhtasar Minhaaj al-qaasideen). Supplication said for one you have insulted: Allahumma fa-ayyuma muminin sababtuhoo faj`al dhalika lahoo qurbatan ilayka yawmal-qiyamah - O Allah, to any believer whom I have insulted, let that be cause to draw him near to You on the Day of Resurrection. (Hisnul Muslim (218), Sahih Bukhari (6361) and Sahih Muslim, 2601).
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'Amr ibn al-'As said: "I am astonished at a man who flees from fate when he is all the time attacking it and who sees the mote in his brother's eye and not the trunk in his own eye. He uncovers the rancour in his brother's heart and not the rancour in himself. I have never entrusted anyone with a secret of mine and then blamed him for divulging it. How could I blame him when I have given him something he is incapable of doing?" (Al-Adab al-Mufrad 886). It was narrated from Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Do not think badly of a word uttered by your brother, when you can find a good interpretation for it. (Majmoo Fataawa Ibn Baaz, 26/365). Amr b. Al-s was once walking with a group of his friends, when he passed by the bloated, rotting carcass of mule. He said: By Allah! To eat your fill from this carcass is better than eating the flesh of a Muslim (by backbiting him). (Bukhari, Al-Adab AlMufrad. Shaykh Al-Albn (Sahh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad p266) said this narrations chain of narration is sahh). Ad-Dhahabi has narrated: A man backbit someone while he was in the presence of Maroof Al-karkhi so Maroof said, warning the man about the danger of backbiting: Keep in mind, always, the time when they put pieces of cotton in your eyes, referring to his death ("Siyar A'lam An-Nubala"). Mujaahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The expiation for eating your brothers flesh (i.e., backbiting him) is that you praise him and supplicate for goodness for him. (Mowsuah Ibn Abid-Dunyaa, 4/418). Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin Baaz said: "The Religion of Allah orders to judge (with justice) in all matters, and not to have walaa (love, loyalty and allegiance) with your brother merely because he agrees with you, or to have 'adaa (enmity and being distant) from him merely because he disagrees with you on a certain opinion or issue. This is not from justice at all! The Companions (radi Allahu anhum) differed in various issues, yet this did not affect the happiness and sincerity between them, nor their walaa and love for each other - may Allah be pleased with them all. So the Believer acts upon the Sharee'ah (Prescribed and Divine Islaamic Law) of Allah, follows the truth, gives priority to the evidences before anyone - yet in doing so, he does not oppress his brother, nor negate doing justice to him when he differs regarding any issue of ijtihaad in which the evidences are not so apparent.
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Likewise is the case for those issues in which differences occur due to a different interpretation of the text. So, in such instances he is excused, and it is upon you to sincerely advise him, and to love only the good for him, and not to split-up, nor to have enmity and hatred between you and your brother - and there is no might, nor any power, except with Allah. " Majmoo' Fataawaa wa Magaaalaat Mutanawwi'ah (11346).
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Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is Most-Forbearing. (al-Baqarah 2:263). Huqooq al-`Ibaad: Whenever you commit a sin, if you turned towards Allah and repented (for your sins), Allah will forgive you. But, if the sin was concerning someone else, then no doubt that redemption should be made for (transgressing) his rights, either by honouring his rights or by requesting him earnestly to absolve you, because it is the rights of a human being which will not be forgiven. One example (of honouring his rights) is when a person backbites someone in a group, he makes up for it by praising him in a similar group. Or when a person damages someones property, he should either fix it or compensate for the damage. Or if he steals from someone, he returns it. One of the Ahaadeeth which highlights the importance of Huqooq al-`Ibaad (rights of people) is: On the authority of `Amr bin al-`Aas that the Messenger of Allah said: All the sins of a martyr are forgiven except debt. (Sahih Muslim, 4649). The rights of Allah will be forgiven, no matter how great it is (except Shirk); but as for the rights of a human being, then no doubt it should be redeemed either by requesting (him to absolve you) or by repaying (for his rights). But let us assume that you do not find this person or you do not know him or you could not honour the rights because you did not have the means and Allah knows by your intention that you are sincere in your repentance, then Allah will lift the burden off you on the Day of Judgment and Allah will satisfy this person. (Sharh Riyaadh al-Saaliheen of Shaikh Muhammad ibn Saaleh al-`Uthaymeen, p.585).
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Bakr Ibn Abd Allah Al-Muzani said: "If you find (feel) staleness from your brothers, that is from a sin you have committed, so repent to Allah. And if you find (feel) from them love, that is for an act of obedience you did so thank Allah." (Ar-Raqaa'iq , p 80). It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him seek his forgiveness today, before there will be no dinar and no dirham (i.e., the Day of Resurrection), when if he has any good deeds (hasanaat), some of his good deeds will be taken and given to the one who was wronged, proportionate to the wrong that he did, and if he does not have any good deeds, some of the bad deeds (sayiaat) of the one who was wronged will be taken and thrown onto him. Narrated by Bukhari (2269). Whoever is pardoned anything by his brother, then let him follow up with good conduct and payment to him in good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a Mercy. So whoever transgresses after that, then for him is a painful punishment. Al Baqarah:178 - Tafsir at Tabari (2/107). Ibn Hibbaan al-Basti (Abu Hatim) (rahimahullaah) said: What the wise person must do is train himself to adhere to the quality of forgiveness towards all people, and try to forget about waiting for an opportunity to retaliate for bad treatment, because nothing can cancel out the bad effects of bad treatment apart from good treatment, and nothing can make bad treatment worse and increase its bad effects but responding in like manner. (Rawdat al-Uqala wa Nuzhat al-Fudala (p. 166). Al-Hasan al-Basri said: The best attribute a believer can have is forgiveness. (Adab Shar'iyyah 1/121). The Prophet said: Pardon others, and you will be pardoned. (Musannaf of AbdurRazzaaq, and graded Sahih by Al-Albani in Sahih ul-Jaami, Vol. 1, 981, and As-Sahihah, 1456).
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Umar ibn Abdul-Azeez used to gather the fuqahaa every night and they would (all) remember death, the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter and then would weep. (This is a saying of Ataa in Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 5, Page 138). Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger : I am most akin to Jesus Christ among the whole of mankind, and all the Prophets are of different mothers but belong to one religion and no Prophet was raised between me and Jesus. (Book 30, Hadith 5835). In a similar narration: Prophets are brothers in faith (Sahih Muslim, Book 30, Hadith 5836). Ibn Abbas Narrated: When (the dead body of) 'Umar was put on his deathbed, the people gathered around him and invoked (Allah) and prayed for him before the body was taken away, and I was amongst them. Suddenly I felt somebody taking hold of my shoulder and found out that he was 'Ali bin Abi Talib. 'Ali invoked Allah's Mercy for 'Umar and said, "O 'Umar! You have not left behind you a person whose deeds I like to imitate and meet Allah with more than I like your deeds. By Allah! I always thought that Allah would keep you with your two companions, for very often I used to hear the Prophet saying, 'I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went (somewhere); I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar entered (somewhere); and I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went out."' (Sahih Bukhari, Book 57, Hadith 34). Once Uthmaan (radi Allahu anhu) became angry with his servant and tweaked/twisted his ear until it hurt him. He spent some of that night restless and didn't sleep until he made the servant twist his ear back and take revenge! The servant refused at first but then after the insistence of the Khalifatul Mu'mineen - obeyed. (Biography of Uthman ibn Affaan "Nizaam al Hukm fi 'Ahd al Khulafaa ar Raashideen" by Hamad Muhammad al-Samad,page 149). Aasim ibn Dhun Noorayn by Dr Ali As Sallaabi page 129. The Shaykh references this athaar with
Bahdalah
related
that
one
of
the
companions
of
Umar
said:
Once, while we were in the company of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, a man broke wind just as the time for prayer arrived. Umar said, I am determined to make the man who broke wind to stand up and perform ablution. Jareer ibn Abdullah said, O leader of the believers, instead, be determined to make all of us stand up and perform ablution. That way, the identity of the person will remain concealed. Umar then acted in accordance with Jareers suggestion. (Bukhari and Muslim by way of the narration of Balaadhiree (pg. 219)).
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A man complained about 'Ali to 'Umar, and when 'Umar looked into the matter he said to 'Ali: "Sit down alongside your opponent, O' Abu al-Hasan." 'Ali's expression changed, and 'Umar passed judgement concerning the matter, then he said to 'Ali, "Did you get angry, O' Abu al-Hasan, because I treated you and your opponent equally?" 'Ali said, "You did not treat me and my opponent equally, O' Ameer al-Mu'mineen, because you honoured me and called me Abu al-Hasan, using my kunyah, but you did not call my opponent by his kunyah." 'Umar kissed the head of 'Ali and said, "May Allah not keep me in a land where Abu al-Hasan is not there." ('Umar ibn al-Khattab, by Salih 'Abdur-Rahman, p. 79.) Narrated Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu): That Umar Ibn al-Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) said one day to his brother: "Take my armour my brother" he replied to him, "I seek in Shahaada (martyrdom) what you seek too" so they left the armour both of them and went to the battle. (Hiluatul Awliyaa wa Tabaqaatul Asfiyaa 1/367). Abu U'bayd al-Qaasim Ibn Salaam rahimahullah once visited Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and said : "O' Aba Abdillah, if I am to visit you as you really deserve to be visited, I would visit you every day!" Imaam Ahmad said to him: "Don't say that, indeed I have some brothers that I see only one time a year, I am more sure about their love to me than those I see every day." (Manaaqib al-Imaam Ahmad by Ibn al-Jawzi page 151). Ataa Ibn Abi Rabah has said: A young man would tell me something that I may have heard before he was born. Nevertheless, I listen to him as if I have never heard it before. ("Siyar A'lam An-Nubala", 5/86). Ibn Rajab narrated: "Muhammad bin Wasi' was selling a donkey to a man, so, the man asked him: "Are you pleased with this donkey?" Ibn Wasi' replied: "If I was not pleased with this donkey, then I would not be selling it to you."" ('Jami' al-'Ulum wal-Hikam'; 1/305). Ahmad al-Warrq: "I came to Ahmad ibn Hanbal and complained about poverty. He gave me four silver coins and said, 'This is all I own.'" (Manaqib Ahmad, p. 325). Muhammad Ibn Ali said: A neighbour of Abu Hamza Al-Sukkari wanted to sell his house and when he was asked about the price, he said: Two thousand for the house and two thousand for having Abu Hamza as your neighbour. When Abu Hamza heard about this incident, he sent him four thousand (as a gift) and said: Do not sell your house. ("As-Siyar A'lam An-Nubala", 7/387).
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Ibn Hibbaan narrated: Mujahid said: Ibn Abbas saw a man and said, Indeed he loves me. They said, And how do you know?! He said, Because I love him and souls are like recruited soldiers, those that recognise one another unite in harmony and those that do not recognise one another are at an aversion. ("Rawdah Al-Uqalaa", 1/108).
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Brothers In Jannah
"And We shall remove from their breasts any sense of injury, brothers facing each other on thrones. (Al-Hijr 15:47). "...there are no grudges, no malice nor envy. The envy will be removed from the chests of the Mumineen before they enter Paradise. They will stop on a bridge after they have crossed the Siraat. They will retaliate with each other for the complaints they have between themselves. Then the envy will be removed from their chests. And they will enter Paradise with the highest degree of purity. (Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn 'Abdullaah ar-Rajhi, fatwaa dated 7/8/1424H).
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