mentioned that those professing Islam should give up everything in preference for their faith, devote themselves heart and soul to their faith and display mutual love and friendship. The term wilāyah is used in this context: “Those who believed and adopted exile and fought for the faith with their property and their persons in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave them refuge and aid – these are all friends and protectors of one another.” (al-Anfāl 8:72) While pointing to the organisation and resources of unbelievers, the Qur’ān observes that if Muslims do not develop such fraternity, their aspiration to cause a universal Islamic transformation, premised on justice and God-consciousness, will never come true. As a result, the world will continue to reek of mischief and corruption. For without the close tie of fraternity among them, Muslims may not be able to successfully face the forces inimical to Islamic ideals. The Qur’ān says: “The unbelievers are protectors, one of another: unless you do this (protect each other) there will be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.” (al-Anfāl 8:73) Their constant striving in the cause of Islamic society and Islamic social change is the very criterion of their faith: “Those who believe and adopt exile and fight for the faith, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who give them asylum and aid – they are (all) in very truth the believers.” (al-Anfāl 8:74) Allah comforted the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) by saying that, apart from His promise of help, He would support him with the Muslim community in his struggle against his foes. For Allah infused unity into the believers and this would ensure the establishment of an Islamic social order: “He it is that has strengthened you (the Prophet) with His aid and with (the company of) the believers.” (al-Anfāl 8:62)
BROTHERHOOD AND FRATERNITY – THE HALLMARK OF MUSLIM SOCIETY
Those working for Islamic revival are bound to one another by the bond of fraternity, mutual help and support, and love and mercy. The choice of the term ‘fraternity’ in this context is very apt. For it is an all-embracing term. The workers of the Islamic movement should be as close to each other as two real brothers are, who are not prepared to let any difference affect their relationship. Rather, they are ever-ready to sacrifice all that they have for one another. They are constantly engaged in helping, supporting and reinforcing each other. They share one another’s sorrows and happiness and take them into their confidence in mutual affairs. They are drawn towards one another by a strong bond of love, which urges them to cooperate with one another. Those devoted to the cause of the Islamic movement exhibit similarly close relations. The more they are committed to this, the closer their relationship is. For they maintain this relationship only for the sake of Allah. They are concerned about their fellow workers. If they lack this concern, however, they should reconsider their claim to be committed to the faith.
The Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) speaks of this fraternity as part of the believers’ love for Allah. This brings out the purity and captivating nature of this relationship. Since this love is related to Allah, it purges it of all impurities and imperfections. It is both a logical move and an impulse. For believers it serves as a norm for measuring their devotion to the cause.
Faith in and love for Allah go hand in hand. One cannot and does not exist without the other. Rather, one’s absence makes the other doubtful. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is on record as having observed: “You cannot be true believers unless you love one another.” (Narrated by Abū Hurairah and cited in Muslim)
One of the prerequisites of faith is that one’s love and enmity should only be for Allah’s sake: “One who loves for the sake of Allah and has enmity with someone again for the sake of Allah and gives and forbids anything for Allah is the one to have accomplished faith.” (Abū Dāwūd)
It is borne out by history that friendship and hostility among men have influenced the course of events in world history. If these are linked exclusively with Allah, it amounts to taking a perfectly logical step. Faith has many branches and each of these is equally important in its own right. Love for Allah’s sake is essential for a stable society and for its accomplishment. Likewise, an organised community is the prerequisite for bringing about Islamic social change and transformation. It is reported on Abū Dharr’s authority: “Once the Prophet asked us: ‘Do you know which deed is the best in Allah’s sight?’ Some replied: ‘Prayer, Zakāt and Jihād.’ However, he clarified: ‘It is love and hostility for the sake of Allah which He likes most’.” (Abū Dāwūd) On another occasion, while addressing Abū Dharr he asked: “Which is the strongest element of faith?” He pleaded ignorance, saying that Allah and His Messenger know best. The Prophet then said: “It is love and adversary for the sake of Allah.” (Bayhaqī)
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