Practical steps for a stronger brotherhood

Our society or community is not but a reflection of the state of affairs of our own relationships with others such as: friends, neighbors, relatives, business partners, co-workers, classmates, strangers, and fellow human beings.

If most of us succeed in fostering a positive set of relationships with others, we would succeed in creating the necessary societal critical mass that promotes justice, compassion, mercy, good will, and brotherhood. As expected, such a society will reject greed, bias, racism, envy, and selfishness.

The following are a few sayings (Hadith) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that provide practical steps for each to implement to bring about such a society.

O people! Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person, except in piety.

God is not merciful to him who is not merciful to people

He who does not thank people, does not thank God

When a man loves his brother he should tell him that he loves him

The strong man is not the one who is strong in wrestling, but the one who controls himself in anger

He is not of us who has no compassion for our little ones and does not honor our old ones

Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the greatest falsehood. Do not try to find fault with each other, do not spy on one another, do not vie with one another, do not envy one another, do not be angry with one another, do not turn away from one another, and be servants of God, brothers to one another, as you have been enjoined

Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the captives

He will not enter paradise whose neighbor is not safe from his mischief


How can one not be at peace with others if such advices are followed?