In this article we will continue our discussion regarding The Treatise of Rights by Imam Zayn Al-Abidin (AS). We will discuss the Right of the Brother. Regarding this, the Imam (AS) has said:

And the right of your brother is that you should know that he is your hand that you extend, and your back to whom you seek refuge, and your power upon whom you rely, and your might with which you compete. Take him not as a weapon with which to disobey God, nor as a means with which to violate God's rights.

And do not neglect to help him against his own self and support him against his enemy, and intervene between him and his devils, and give him good counsel, and associate with him for God's sake. Then if he obeys his Lord and is responsible towards Him properly it is fine. Else God should be more preferable and more honorable to you than he is.

Imam Sajjad points out very important points regarding one’s brother; a brother is one’s helping hand. He is our supporter and he makes us stronger. We should not use this power in order to commit sins. We should be his assistant and support him against his enemies. And finally we should release him from the captivity of Satan and direct his attention towards God. If he does not accept, we should follow God’s decrees and not obey our brother.

Brotherhood is one of the most important issues in Islam. There are two forms of brotherhood. One is a blood relationship - that is being born of the same parents. This is the closest kind of relationship that results in either one inheriting from the other. This is considered the second level of those who inherit from us according to Islamic jurisprudence. There are certain decrees in this regard.

The second form of brotherhood is through common belief. It is the form of brotherhood that has related all the Muslims together. It has become the source of unity of all the Muslims in the world. The Arabic word for brother is “Akh”. Its real meaning is brother, friend or companion. It really refers to two people who have the same mother, father or both. It is also used for someone who has been breast-fed by one’s mother. In a more general sense, it is also used for one’s partner in industry or trade, one who is from the same tribe or one having the same beliefs. There are several instances in the Holy Qur’an when this word is used to refer to real brothers or believing brothers like in Chapters Yusuf and Nisaa.

Imam Ali (AS) has beautifully expressed this idea through his words to Malik Al-Ashtar as he was about to go to Egypt. In he says "Man is either your brother in faith or your brother in humanity". This quote beautifully sums up the idea Imam Al- Sajjad is trying to portray.

In Islam brotherhood is extremely important; this is greatly embodied through the verses and sayings of the Imams. The Holy Qur’an says:

“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear God, that ye may receive Mercy.” [The Holy Qur’an, al-Hujurat 49:10]

This verse expresses one of the most important slogans of Islam. Islam has put such a strong bond between the Muslims and has made them so close that it has called them brothers. Thus, Islam considers all Muslims to belong to one family. This is completely felt during the religious and political ceremonies of the pilgrimage of the Ka’ba. All the people who attend these ceremonies feel to be brothers to each other even though some have come from the West, and others have come from the East. Let us consider what the Prophet has said in this regard: “A Muslim is the brother of other Muslims. He never oppresses them. He never abandons them. He never leaves them alone in the face of calamities.”

Imam Sadiq said:

“A believer is the brother of other believers. He acts as their eyes and as their guide. He will never cheat or oppress them. He will never deceive them or act against his promises to them.”

In another tradition we read: Abi Basir narrated that he heard Imam Sadiq say:

“A believer is the brother of other believers. They are all parts of the same body. If one part hurts, other parts will feel the pain. Their souls are also derived from One Spirit. A believer’s soul is so strongly attached to God’s Spirit that it is like the attachment of the sun’s rays to the sun.”

Imam Ali eloquently describes the types of brothers, he says:

“There are two groups of brothers: real brothers and superficial brothers. Real brothers are like your hands, wings, relatives or property. Once you find such brothers, you can help them; give them from what you own; be friendly with their friends and be the enemy of their enemies; hide their secrets; cover up their faults, and reveal their good points. Beware that they are very rare. However, use your superficial brothers. Do not stop your friendship and your associations with them. However do not expect any more than this from them. When they treat you kindly and talk nicely with you, respond with gentle treatment and nice words.”

Here Imam Ali clearly outlines our duties to our real friends as well as our superficial friends. He has set the limits of our encounters with them, and the degree to which we must help them, and benefit from their assistance.

There are many rights of brotherhood, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) explains this in one of his saying: In it (PBUH) says:

“There are thirty rights for each Muslim incumbent upon his believing brother. He cannot be relieved from them unless he honors them or is forgiven by his brother. They are as follows:

He must forgive his brother’s faults. He must be kind to his brother during hard times. He must hide his brother’s secrets. He must compensate for his brother’s faults. He must accept his brother’s apologies. He must defend his brother against those who gossip behind his back. He must always advise his brother. He must safeguard his brother’s friendship. He must honor his brother’s covenant. He must visit him when his brother gets ill. He must attend his brother’s funeral procession. He must accept his brother’s invitations. He must accept his brother’s gifts. He must return his brother’s favors. He must be grateful for his brother’s blessings. He must try to help his brother. He must guard his brother’s honor. He must fulfill his brother’s needs. He must intercede on behalf of his brother. He must say “God bless you” when his brother sneezes. He must guide his brother’s lost ones. He must respond to his brother’s greetings. He must welcome his brother’s words. He must welcome his brother’s kindness. He must accept his brother’s swearing. He must like his brother’s friends. He must not treat his brother with animosity. He must help his brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed one. He should not leave his brother alone in the face of calamities. He must like for his brother whatever he likes for himself, and dislike for him whatever he dislikes for himself.

We can clearly notice the Prophet (PBUH) greatly emphasizes on the rights of brotherhood. This topic should not be taken lightly as it is the building blocks of our society. Building strong relationships with each other in return builds a strong community and that is exactly what Islam has worked towards.

Humans are social creatures by nature; they're always in need of friends and companions. Most of our lives depend on interaction with others. Strong individuals are the core of a strong community, something that Muslims should always strive for.

So on what basis do we choose a friend? Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) who has the most noble character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear and simple message and advice in regard to friendship. We should always attach ourselves to people who bring us closer to God, and the Ahul-bayt, and to people who believe in them, and obey their orders. And we should stay away from who is not well mannered and gives no attention to what Islam is about or what pleases or displeases Allah (SWT).

It is through friendship that we please Allah and enter heaven, and it’s through friendship that we displease Allah and enter Hell. In today’s society we have heard many stories regarding this topic. Many well-mannered and behaved teenagers have gone astray because of the crowd they surround their self with. In an authentic Hadith, Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Man is influenced by the faith of his friends. Therefore, be careful of whom you associate with."

When choosing our friends we should ask ourselves first: Are they going to help us achieve the purpose for which we were brought to life? Or will they take us away from it? Will they desire for us Allah (SWT)'s pleasure or is that completely irrelevant to them and not their concern at all? Are they leading us to Paradise or to the Hell?

These are all questions we should ask our self before choosing a friend. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was asked, "Who is the best among people?" Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied, "He who, when you look at him, you remember Allah (SWT)". Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, honesty, service, patience, optimism, professionalism, and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

A friend is someone who should add positivity in your life, and encourage good values in you. A friend should speak up when you’re doing something wrong, the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) stated, "The believer is like a mirror to other believers (in truthfulness)." Like a mirror, your friend gives you an honest image. He forgives your mistakes, but does not hide or exaggerate your strengths and weaknesses.

It is better that someone befriends someone who is better than them, so that they are constantly learning when they are around them. Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says: "Be the friend of him who may grace you, not of one whom you are better than." Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) also says: "My most beloved brother is he who (makes me aware of) my faults."

Therefore, a friend should be a blessing not a source of trouble and hardship. They should always remind you of Allah and Ahlul-Bayt (AS).