INTRODUCTION
Some expect
Islam, seeing that is revealed by God, to operate in human life in a magical,
extraordinary and incomprehensible manner. They expect it to operate whitout
any regard for human nature, for the innate capacities and material realities
of human life, in varying stages of human development and environments. (Sayyid
Qutb, 1997: 1)
Islam came to
bring peace and justice for all people, not limited to race, ethnicity, nation,
and state. Something that missed from our view is the oneness of religion
although separated by the state and the way to realize the harmonious
relationship that was expected by every person in all countries.
The umma
(comunity) is the group of people bound together by belief, which constitues
their nationality. If there is no belief there is no umma, for there is nothing
to bind it together. Land, race, language, lineage, common maaterial interests
are not enough, either singly or in combination, to form an umma, unless the
bond of belief is in existence.
The bond must
be an idea that vivifies heart and mind, a concept that interprets being and
life, that joins to God, by a breath from Whose soul man be came man, was
distinguished from the beast, and set aside in a God-given dignity.
God says in the
Qur'an, addressing the believers of every land, age race, color, tribe and
group, throughout the countries, speaking through Noah-upon him be Peace! - to
Muhammad - Peace and Blessing be upon him! - "This your community is a
single community, and I am your Lord, so worship Me". (al-Anbiya, v. 92)
(Sayyid Qutb, 1997: 86)
That total of
muslims population is more than 1.6 billion people, or about 23.4 percent of
the total population in the world make Islam as a religion with the
largest adherents in the world. Growth
of Muslims will continue to increase and by 2030 the total of muslims is
estimated of 2.2 billion people, or about 35 percent for the year.
Based on the
data from The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life at 2010, Indonesia,
although geographically is far from the origin country of Islam, but the
adherents of Islam there is very great quantities, which is about 12.7 per cent
of the total Muslim world. In 2010, followers of Islam in Indonesia around 205
million people, or 88.1 percent of the population. Based on the data, Indonesia
is the country with the largest Muslims population in the world.
But, in
reality, the peace that expected haven't realized. This situation is the side
effect of people character as soft society that live in the soft state and seem
as soft Muslims. In our life, a person sometimes refers tradition, politics,
and the selfishness to Islam itself. This reality makes us become soft in
facing everything. Perhaps, this is also the face of our character so that our
daily work is gossip country, government behavior, parliament, and the people
in general, but if we are given the same mandate we'll not necessarily better
than them.
UKHUWAH
The basic principle
of Islam that emerges from the Qur'an and Mohammed'a life is that the religion
is based upo behavior as well as belief. To be a Moslem is to believe in God,
the prophecy of Mohammed, and the Last Judgement; but it is also to live in a
prescribed way. The soul'a submission to God'a supremacy has its indispensable
earthly counterpart in the individual's submission to God's code of conduct.
Islam tells its
adherents not only what to believe about God, angels, and the afterlife, but
also how to live on earth in such a way as to find favor with God. Within the
principles of social justice, communal peace, and individual dignity, Islam
lays down rules governing daily life, commerce, the family, and society that
are basis for the common observation, "Islam is more than a religion, it
is a way of life".
(Lipmann, 1982:
72)
As a yardstick
and criterion in our lives, Islam has given us a clear definition of unity and
brotherhood and how it can be realized and implemented. The uniting factor is the `Aqeedah (creed) of
Islam which defines the belief of a Muslim.
Unlike other bonds (nationalistic, patriotic, etc.) which are
superficial, animalistic, reactive, emotional, and completely devoid of a real
solution for life’s affairs, the intellectuality of the ideological bond of
Islam unites man irrespective of their race, nationality, and other factors
which are irrelevant when it comes to bonding on an ideological creed.
Allah in the
Qur’an describes what is unity in Islam as the Mu’minoon (Believers; those that
believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad) being united in a Brotherhood
based on solely Islam:
“The Mu’minoon
are but a single Brotherhood.” (The Holy Qur’an, 49:10)
Allah further
defines this Brotherhood by explaining that Muslims are awliyyaa’ (allies, friends,
supporters) of one another, and this again is based solely on Islam:
“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.” (The Holy Qur’an, 9:71)
Muhammad (Salla
Allahu `alaihi wa sallam) indicated in several Ahadith on unity and brotherhood
as we can see in his (saaws) Farewell Sermon (khuTbat ul-wadaa`):
“All mankind is
from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab
has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black
nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.
Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims
constitute one brotherhood.”
Other Ahadith
further elaborate on the concept of unity and brotherhood:
"A Muslim
is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he leave
him at the mercy of others." (Sahih Muslim Book 032, Number 6219)
The Prophet
said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother
what he likes for himself." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12)
As the
teachings of Islam clearly show us that Brotherhood and unity in Islam are
based solely on the `Aqeedah of Islam (which is the foundation of Muslim
belief). The Mu’minoon are believers to
one another and this belief has nothing to do with race or any other type of
invalid reason to unite but is rather a bond based on an ideological belief in
Islam. (brothermahdi.tripod.com)
Within society
there are many different kinds of relationships and associations that are made
between people. One of the highest forms of these relationships and a true
milestone in terms of human interaction is that of brotherhood, a bond that
ties the hearts of people together in a way that is governed by no worldly gain
or desire.
The concept of
brotherhood holds an important place in the religion of Islam and many
essential elements of Islam are fostered under the rubric of this concept.
Brotherhood harvests the fruits of faith and love for the sake of Allah the
All-Mighty Creator. It is a gift from Allah that is shared between believers
and granted to whomever Allah chooses from His servants.
Allah, The
Almighty, says: "And hold fast, all
of you together to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves and
remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He
joined your hearts together so that by His Grace you became brethren."
(Qur'an 3:103)
Allah(S.W.T.)
also says in the Qur'an: "And He
has united their 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."(Qur'an 8:63)
This
brotherhood of Islam creates a loyalty and fondness between people that cannot
be duplicated in worldly relationships.
The concept of
brotherhood in Islam can be defined as the act of loving in a person that which
Allah loves in him. The Muslim loves Muhammad (pbuh), the Messenger of Allah,
because Allah loves him and commanded his followers to love him. Allah, The
Exalted, says: "Say, if you
certainly love Allah, then follow me [Muhammad] and Allah will love you."
(Qur'an 3:31)
A strong,
devoted Muslim is more entitled to the love of the believer, or in other words,
is more entitled to become the brother of a believer, than a weak, disobedient
person who falls short of his duties towards his Creator. Ibn Taymiyyah, may
Allah have mercy on him, said: "There is no greater or more complete love
than the love of the believers to their Lord. There is nothing that deserves to
be loved for its own sake except Allah(S.W.T.). Everything that is to be loved
besides Him should be loved according to His love. Even the Prophet(S) is to be
loved for the sake of Allah, to be obeyed for the sake of Allah and to be
followed for the sake of Allah."
(www.ymsite.com)
The heart of
the believer harbors no love for the polytheists and rejecters of faith even if
they are of his kin. The hearts of the believers are however filled with love
for other true believers, the people of jihad and the people of the mosques.
These are his true brothers. Brothers in Islam love and hate in proportion to
the qualities loved or hated by Allah(S.W.T.).
Brotherhood is
the fruit of good character, for good character is what brings about loving
each other and friendliness and it is also a reason for entering paradise. The
Messenger(S) said in a hadeeth narrated by Tirmidhee: "What accounts the
most for leading people into paradise is the taqwa of Allah and good
character."
Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) also discussed the importance of good character with Abu
Hurairah. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "O Abu HuraYrah, maintain good
character." Abu Hurairah then asked the Prophet (pbuh): "And what is
good character, O Messenger of Allah?" The Prophet (pbuh) replied:
"Connect with the people that shun you, forgive those that wrong you and
give to those that deprive you."
The brotherhood
described by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and his followers has important
conditions.First, the relationship must be established purely for the sake of
Allah. This requires the brothers to abandon any type of personal interest that
they might hope to gain through their relationship. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
once said: "A man set out to visit one of his brothers for the sake of
Allah and Allah (swt) appointed an angel to watch over him. The angel asked the
man, 'Where are you going?' The man replied: 'I wish to visit my brother.' 'Do
you need anything from him?' asked the angel. 'No,' replied the man. 'Then why
are you going to visit him?" inquired the angel. The man answered, 'I love
him for Allah's Sake.' The angel said, 'Then know that Allah has sent me to
tell you that Allah loves you because of your love for your brother and that He
has decreed Paradise for you'." (Muslim)
The second
condition is that the brotherhood must be paired with Iman and Taqwa.
The Qur'an says
about the Day of Judgment: "Friends on that day will be foes one to
another except the righteous (ones who have Taqwa)."
Third, the
brotherhood should be of the Islamic manner and style. This is best exemplified
by the hadeeth that gives an explanation of two men who loved each other for
Allah's sake. The hadeeth states that the two met for Allah's sake and then
parted for Allah's sake. The cause of Allah was always paramount, it is what
brought them together, defined their relationship, and ultimately led them to
part.
The fourth
condition is that mutual advice for the sake of Allah(S.W.T.) should be an
essential pillar of the brotherhood. If one finds something good in his
brother, he should encourage and help him in that good thing. If he detects a
shortcoming in his brother, he should advise his brother confidentially and
exhort him to repent and return to a more correct behavior or attitude.
Fifth, the
brotherhood should be built on cooperation and meeting each other's needs in
both comfortable and difficult times. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
"The example of the believers' love, affection, and mercy for one another
is like that of the body: when one of its organs ails, the rest of the body
responds and watches over it by contracting fever." (Bukhari and Muslim)
The meaning of
brotherhood as we intend it is a brotherhood based on faith and respect. It is
a brotherhood that exists between a large number of people who share the same
beliefs and religious identity. Allah says: "And He has brought their
hearts together. If you had spent all that was in the Earth, you would not have
brought their hearts together."
If we look
carefully into the literal meaning of brotherhood and its Islamic usage, we
find that brotherhood is of three types:
(a).
Brotherhood can be based on biological relatedness. This is the meaning of
brotherhood with respect to the laws of inheritance. In this context, Allah
says: "And each of his parents have a sixth of what he left if he had a
child. If he did not have a child, and his parents are his only heirs, then his
mother receives a third. If he has brothers, then his mother receives a
sixth."
(b).
Brotherhood exists between all people on account of their common humanity. This
is the brotherhood between all the descendants of Adam. Allah says: "We
have honoured the children of Adam and have carried them over land and sea and
have provided for them good things and have preferred them over much of what We
have created."
Ibn Kathîr says
in his commentary on the Qur’ân: "This verse is used as proof that
humanity is preferable as a race to the race of angels." Allah says:
"O mankind, verily We created you from a male and a female and made you
nations and tribes so you could come to know one another. Verily the noblest of
you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you."
This refers to
all of humanity: believers and disbelievers, people of lineage and those
without, close relatives and distant ones.
(c).
Brotherhood can be based on belief and religious identity. This is the meaning
intended when speaking about faith and other related topics. Allah says:
"The Believers are but a single Brotherhood." [Al-Hujurat 49:10] and
"…so you, by His grace, became brothers."
(d). Ukhuwah
wathaniyah wa an-nasab, the brotherhood in the descent and nationality.
(myquran.org)
When the
Prophet came, this people united in the one religion, namely Islam approves of
him. Allah SWT said, “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah
(stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with
gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts
in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of
the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear
to you: That ye may be guided.”
(Ali Imran:
103)
How expensive
this brotherhood, it can not be exchanged with the world and everything there.
Allah said, “And (moreover) He hath put affection between their hearts: not if
thou hadst spent all that is in the earth, couldst thou have produced that
affection, but Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise.” (Al
Anfal: 63)
The Truth of
Ukhuwah Islamiyyah
Brotherhood is
a bond of spirit that give feelings of affection, love, and a profound respect
for every person, and the linkage soul is predicated by bond of Islamic
theology, faith and piety.
This genuine
brotherhood will give a sense of deep affection in the soul of every Muslim and
a positive impact, such as mutual help, altruistic, friendly, and easily
forgiving.
The brotherhood
also will avoid harmful things to stay away from any thing that can cause harm
to others, whether in relation to life, property, honor, or the things that
undermine their dignity. Indeed Islam has appealed to his people to always keep
this brotherhood, because in fact the believers are brothers. They like
building has solid structure that mutually reinforce one another.
Benefit and
Advantage of Brotherhood
There are
several advantage of brotherhood, they are:
1. ثَلاَثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ
فِيْهِ وَجَدَ بِهِنَّ حَلاَوَةَ اْلإِيْمَانِ مَنْ كَانَ اللهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَبَّ
إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا سِوَاهُمَا وَأَنْ يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لاَ يُحِبُّهُ إِلاَّ ِللهِ وَأَنْ
يَكْرَهَ أَنْ يَعُودَ فِي الْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ أَنْ أَنْقَذَهُ اللهُ مِنْهُ، كَمَا يَكْرَهَ
أَنْ يُقْذَفَ فِي النَّارِ
“Three cases
that whoever found him, he will taste the sweetness of faith, which he loves
Allah and His Messenger more than than than the love of the two, he loves his
brother and he does not love her but because God, he hates to return to
disbelief as he hates to be thrown into in An Nar.” (HR. Al Bukhari dan Muslim)
2. God will
protect and shelter from the horrors of the Day of Judgment later. This, as
mentioned in a hadith of the seven groups that will get God shade on the day
there is no shade except His shade, among which are two people who love each
other for Allah.
3. The Prophet
said:
لاَ تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا.
وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا. أَوَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ
تَحَابَبْتُمْ ؟ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ
“You will not
enter Al Jannah until you believe. And you have not said to believe until you
love each other. Will I point to an act which, if you do will make you love
each other? Cast out the peaaaace among you.” (HR. Muslim)
4. Brotherhood
will give a noble character, including a friendly attitude, love, care for the
needs of other brother in the faith and helping them. So that the realization
isa safe life, peace, and harmony without hostility and hatred.
5. Brotherhood will
strengthen the power of the Muslims so that the triumph of Islam and the
Muslims would be realized.
CONCLUSION
1. If we look
carefully into the literal meaning of brotherhood and its Islamic usage, we
find that brotherhood is of three types:
(a). Brotherhood
can be based on biological relatedness.
(b).
Brotherhood exists between all people on account of their common humanity.
(c).
Brotherhood can be based on belief and religious identity.
(d). Ukhuwah
wathaniyah wa an-nasab, the brotherhood in the descent and nationality.
2. If we look
the brotherhood that exists between people on account of their common humanity
or we can call it as ukhuwah basyariyah, we all are the brothers, not separated
by race or countrie.
3. If we look
the brotherhood that can be based on belief and religious identity, we all
Muslims are brother that no enemity or disunity, especially couse of politics
and so on.
REFERENCES
As-Siba'i,
Mustafa. Agama dan Negara: Studi Perbandingan Antara Yahudi-Kristen-Islam.
Pasusuran: Media Dakwah. 1983. Translated by Muhammad Hamidy.
An-Na'im,
Abdullah Ahmed. Toward an Islamic Reformation: Civil Liberties, Human Rights,
and International Law. New York: Syracuse University Press. 1996.
http://myquran.org,
access on 25th of April 2013.
http://brothermahdi.tripod.com,
access on 25th of April 2013.
http://www.ymsite.com,
access on 25th of April 2013.
http://tabayyun.wordpress.com,
access on 25th of April 2013.
Lipmann, Thomas
W. Understanding Islam: An Introduction To The Moslem World. New York: The New
American Library. 1982.
Ishomuddin.
Agama Produsen Realitas. Malang: UMM Press. 2007.
Qutb, Sayyid.
This Religion of Islam. California: Almanar Press. 1967. Translated by
ISLAMDUST.
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