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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Culture and Religious Studies Book - 1 Lesson 14 : Brotherhood A man once sat in the presence of the 7th Holy Imam, Musa Ibn Jaffer (a.s.). He saw a friend of his, called Muhammad, from afar and smiled at him. Muhammad smiled back and from the pleasure on both their faces at seeing one another, it was obvious that they were good friends.

Seeing this exchange, Imam (a.s.) leaned nearer and asked the man, "You really like Muhammad, don't you?" He replied, "Yes! O grandson of the Holy Prophet, I do! Muhammad is a pious man. He has a very strong faith and is a practicing Muslim. Is he also your friend?" Imam (a.s.) replied: "Of course! As you have said, he is a man of deep faith and has very good akhlaq. Surely all believers are brothers to one another. We must always try to show compassion to our believing brothers.

"Did you know that anyone who looks at a Mo'meen brother with contempt, falsely accuses him, or does anything that would harm the man is behaving in an un-Islamic manner? We should always behave with goodness and act with kindness towards other believers. If we intend to gain Allah (S.W.T.)'s blessings, we must try to be good to one another.

For the one who deceives his believing brother will be most surely deprived of Allah (S.W.T.)'s blessings." Islam is a way of life and it encourages goodness among people. Deceit, slander, gossip and mockery are ugly acts and unacceptable in Islam. Such devious manners create destruction within a society. Islam treats both Muslim men and Muslim woman with the eyes of equity. Beautiful gestures and titles, like brotherhood, will do no good if they are not implemented or put into action.

Islam requires from us that we show compassion by fulfilling the needs and wants of other people. Good qualities, if put in action, become the standard of Islamic ethics. The true Believers are not only brothers and sisters in faith but also in action. A practicing Muslim will not dare to hurt or upset another. Whenever a Mo'meen or a Mo'meenah is hurting, others who practice imaan will also feel his/her pain.

Our 6th infallible Imam, Al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said, "Muslims are brothers to one another and they have rights over each other. If one of them is hungry, is it possible for the others to eat and leave him in the state of hunger? Is it possible for a Muslim to quench his own thirst whilst his brother remains thirsty?