The Prophet & Islamic Brotherhood The issue of Islamic...

The Prophet & Islamic Brotherhood The issue of Islamic brotherhood and fraternity was so important in Islam that soon after migrating to Medina, the first important social decree of (s.a.w.) was on the issue of brotherhood. The Muslim community of Medina was divided into two groups: the Ansar and the Muhajirin. “Ansar” (Helpers) was a title used for the natives of Medina, whereas “Muhajirin” (Immigrants) was a title used for those Muslims, mostly Meccans, who had migrated to Medina.

Among the Ansar, there were two tribes known as the Aws and the Khazraj who were bitter enemies and had fought each other for more than a century. The Prophet had resolved this conflict even before he migrated to Medina. With the advent of Islam, the Aws and the Khazraj put their past animosity behind and accepted the bond of Islamic brotherhood.

Referring to this blessing of Islam, Allah says: “And remember the favour of Allah upon you—you indeed were enemies (of each other) and then He created fraternity between your hearts and thus you became brethren by His blessing...” (3:103) The Prophet found that there was cultural and economic disparity among the Ansar and the Muhajirin. So with the guidance of Allah, the Prophet announced one day that he was going to establish the bond of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajirin.

He gathered the two groups at the mosque and then started calling out the name of one Muhajir and one Ansar, and declared them to be brothers of each other.

Referring to this bond of brotherhood, Allah says: “Those who believed, migrated and fought in the way of Allah [i.e., the Muhdjirin], and those who gave shelter and helped [i.e., the Ansar]—they are the true believers, for them is forgiveness and a noble sustenance...” (8:75) Some of the Ansar went beyond the call of duty in fulfilling the rights of brotherhood: they divided their entire wealth into two and gave one-half to their immigrant brother-in-faith.

Some even specified a substantial portion in their estate to be inherited by their immigrant brother-in-faith. Then Allah revealed the following verse “The blood relatives have more right to each other in the Book of Allah”. This shows that one of the first steps towards building an Islamic community is creating the atmosphere for Islamic brotherhood and fraternity.

An interesting segment of the event of brotherhood is that when the Prophet had joined each Muhajir with an Ansar, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (a Muhajir) was left out.