ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Faith of Shi'a Islam Doctrine of the Rights of Brotherhood Between Muslims ========================================================= One of the highest and most excellent instructions of Islam to all Muslims is brotherhood without distinction of birth, rank or position. But, unfortunately, Muslims have always neglected this.

One of the smallest duties of Islamic brotherhood is that a Muslim should wish for his brother what he wishes for himself, and that he should not wish for his brother what he does not wish for himself, as we shall point out in a tradition from Imam Sadiq. One must study this duty well, and it is accounted a very small one in the opinion of the Descendents of Muhammad.

One sees that Muslims find it difficult to fulfil this small duty, for their morals and behaviour are not in accordance with the Islamic spirit. Concentrate carefully on this small responsibility; if people were to respect it, neither oppression, nor enmity, nor theft, nor falsehood. nor back-biting, nor informing would be found anywhere among them.

If they realised the result of this and were careful in carrying out this duty, oppression and enmity would disappear; they would live as brothers with each other and attain the height of happiness among themselves. Madinah al-Fadilah[^10] of the ancient philosophers would become a reality, no government would be needed, no court of law, no police, prison or criminal law.

they would be free from colonisers and tyrants; oppressors could not force their iniquity on them; and the earth would become paradise. Furthermore, if Islamic brotherhood reigned among people, as Islam has said it should, then the word justice would disappear from our dictionaries; justice and its laws would not be needed, and brotherhood alone would suffice to ensure goodness, peace, happiness and pleasure among us.

For humanity, in such a situation, would have no need for justice and its laws; these are only needed when there is a lack of love between people. A mother is kind and good towards her children because of her love and compassion, not because of the commandments of justice. We can understand why a man loves only himself and that which is agreeable to him; it is impossible for him to love something or someone unless it belongs to him.

And when he does love something or someone, it is impossible for him to give them to someone else whom he dislikes.