Like Bricks of a Wall (Hadith No. 468)

Salam,
Bismillah.

Volume 1, Book 8, Number 468:

Narrated Abu Musa:

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.

We’re supposed to be like those bricks ^. Each one of them has its own special place, and each one of them is significant in its own way. Even if one of them falls out of its place, the wall will lose its strength. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.” [Al-Hujurat 49:10]

Further:

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin the ma`roof (all of Islam), and forbid the munkar (all that is evil; kufr): they observe regular prayers, pay Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.” [9:71]

Allah’s Messenger (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, forsake him, or despise him.”

“It is sufficient evil for a Muslim that he should look down upon his brother. The life, wealth, and honor of a Muslim are inviolable by another Muslim.” [Sahih Muslim]

It is related by Abu Hurairah (ra) that the Prophet said,

“There are five claims of a Muslim upon a Muslim: to return his greetings when he greets; to visit him when he falls ill; to attend his funeral; to accept his invitation to a meal and to pray for him, when he sneezes, by saying ‘yarhamukallah’ (May the mercy of Allah be on you).”

Anas (ra) reports that Rasulullah (s) once said:

“I swear by the Holy Being in whose power my life is, any one of you cannot be a true believer unless he desires for his fellow-brother what he desires for himself.”

“Brotherhood is synonymous with Islam. It is a force for good, a purveyor of peace and justice for everyone. It provides stability in a quarrelsome world. To the downtrodden and oppressed everywhere in the past, it provided freedom. When it was powerful, it even saved the Jews and Christians in Palestine and Spain from each other.” -Z.B. Asghar

So much for the past. What about the present? Do we understand the noble concept of Islamic brotherhood? Do we practice it? Do we belong to it?

Wassalam.