Author: A Sermon by Shaykh Salih bin Humayd

All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and those who followed him.

To start: I advise you and myself to fear Allah, the Almighty. So fear Allah, may He have mercy on you, and magnify His commands and prohibitions. Adhere to sincerity in worship, stick to the path of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama`ah, and observe the Friday and congregational prayers to win the best of rewards. Verily, a person who carelessly wastes his time and lets it slip away through negligence is worthy of shedding tears. Such a person is more worthy of sleeping a little in the darkness of the night.

O Muslims, Allah’s norm in His creation is that their livelihood cannot be established, nor their life becomes stable, except through unity and consolidation. Allah, the Almighty says, “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Quran 49: 13)

The inclination to know people and mix with them is an essential trait in Islamic guidance. By living with the community and maintaining good relations, souls are at peace, knowledge becomes sound, wisdom spreads, and the ideal state (utopia) reaches its peak. In this way, Allah is worshiped with insight, the pillars of religion are made clear, good deeds prevail, and evil is minimized.

Islam’s interest in unity is evident in many of its rulings and etiquettes. Worship, which is among the most Islamic esteemed duties, is not performed in isolation in a monastery or devotion in a secluded place. Why were the congregational prayers prescribed? Why are the Friday prayers obligatory? What is the wisdom behind the two ‘Eids (feasts), Al-Istisqa’ (seeking rain), the eclipse, and funeral prayers? What about responding to invitations for banquets and special occasions, and gathering during moments of joy and celebration, as well as in times of hardship and adversity, during holidays, condolences, visiting the sick, and following funerals? All of this is not fully realized unless relationships in the community are strengthened, and the rights of brotherhood and unity are preserved.

When the number of Muslims increases and their unity is strengthened, their affairs become greater and their actions more righteous. It is mentioned in the Hadith, “A man’s prayer with another man is purer and more fruitful than his prayer alone, and his prayer with two men is purer and more fruitful than his prayer with one, and the more people there are, the more beloved it is to Allah.” [Reported by Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, and others. It is graded as Sahih (Sound) by several scholars] Who among us does not wish to increase the number of Muslims, seeing them as unified groups, not scattered individuals?

Dear brothers, this is said, while observers notice that some people, especially those who claim knowledge, virtue, and righteousness, tend to shy away from gathering and mixing, preferring solitude and isolation. This may be regarded as coldness or distance from their fellow believers. How can true brotherhood in faith be realized without gathering? Allah, the Almighty, says, “The believers are but brothers.” (Quran 49: 10) How can Shura (consultation) be achieved if a Muslim secluded himself away from his brothers? Allah, the Almighty, says, “…and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves.” (Quran 42: 38) How can a person supplicate to Allah saying, “…and make us an example for the righteous,” (Quran 25: 74)? How can a person who secludes himself from his brothers be an example in Da`wah (Islamic proselytism) and guidance? How can other people monitor his behavior and follow his good deeds in words and deeds?

Dear brothers in Islam, to preserve the unity of the community, Islam has prescribed various rulings and etiquettes. It has prescribed the greeting of Salam (peace) and made responding to it an obligatory act. It has prescribed shaking hands, smiling, and having a pleasant face. It has commanded showing love and affection and encouraged believers to exchange gifts and show kindness to relatives, orphans, the poor, and the stranded travelers. It has forbidden the causes of conflict, the sources of enmity and hatred, and the practices that lead to division and discord, such as alcohol, gambling, dishonesty in transactions, harsh words, and immoral disputes.

Indeed, most of the noble traits and virtues belong to the one who mixes with others and maintains good companionship. How can a person be generous while he does not extend his hand to his brothers in kindness and charity? How can benevolence exist in its right place if one is not aware of people’s circumstances? How can patience and forbearance be achieved if one does not confront those with sharp tongues and tough hearts?

In dealing with people, the truthful people advise the wrongdoers with wisdom saying, “The truth is not what you have spoken, and the right is not what you have believed, and goodness is not in the path you have taken. This is how the enjoining of good, prohibition of evil, Da`wah, Jihad, and reform can be carried out to make the nation of Muhammad the best of nations brought forth for humanity.” Therefore, you will see the righteous scholars attend gatherings and forums, speaking kindly, and doing good deeds. The Hadith stated, “The believer who mixes with people and endures their harm is better than the believer who does not mix with people and does not endure their harm.” [Reported by Ahmad and others and graded as Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]. Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Mix with the people, but do not let your religion be harmed.”

O beloved ones, some righteous people may justify their isolation by the corruption of these ages, the multitude of the paths of misguidance, and the active efforts of the callers to evil. Did they not know – may Allah guide them – that isolation only increases the influence of misguidance and widens dark sides of the society? Why should not we direct our efforts toward resisting the advocates of falsehood and those with misguided desires? Whoever joins the group and increases the strength of his brothers has fulfilled his share of goodness.

If other virtuous persons justified their isolation by seeking to spend time in worship and reflection on their own goodness, let them know – may Allah protect them – that attending knowledge sessions for teaching and learning is also an act of worship, visiting the sick is an act of worship, fulfilling the rights of brothers is an act of worship, guiding people is an act of worship, extending a helping hand to strengthen unity and achieve more love and strength, all these are acts of worship. If seclusion protects one from engaging in gossip, backbiting, and bad manners, mixing with righteous persons helps avoid these flaws and pinpoints these faults.

If advice is not effective in one place, it may be effective in another, and if guidance does not work at one time, it may be beneficial at another. The task is to deliver the message, and guidance is in the hands of Allah. He, the Almighty, says, “…to test some of you by means of others.” (Quran 47: 4). What is reported about the desire for isolation from some of the early generations is related to specific circumstances that affect certain individuals, making isolation a preferred choice for them. However, isolation cannot be a doctrine that applies to everyone.

When urging for unity and consolidation, the goal is not to spend all one’s time going to people’s homes or attending every gathering. The truth is that every person needs times of solitude to fulfill a specific duty, engage in voluntary worship, or take care of personal matters. In this regard, `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Take your share of solitude.” The fair and moderate approach for Muslims is to divide their time between beneficial companionship and useful solitude, so that they may benefit from both states in a way that improves all aspects of their life.

In mixing, the believer chooses for himself brothers as companions who are characterized by truthfulness, righteousness, and loyalty. They are a source of beauty in times of ease and strength in times of hardship. It has been said in a proverb, “The most incapable person is the one who fails to seek out true friends, and even more incapable is the one who finds them and then loses their affection. Truly, the one who makes good choices for others is the one who has made good choices for himself.” `Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The conditions of good companionship are overlooking faults, forgiving in mutual dealings, and offering support in times of adversity.”

Brothers should avoid being overly formal in their relationships and shun hateful pretense. Spreading ease in interactions, avoiding awkward situations, and refraining from unpleasant flattery strengthen bonds and bring about affection.

I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan. Allah, the Almighty says, “O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination. And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful. And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys.” (Quran 31: 17, 18)

O brothers, one of the etiquettes of Islam in forming relationships and maintaining good companionship is that communication should be clear and transparent. There is no problem if one tells his brother what he feels of love and appreciation for him. In the Hadith, “If one of you loves his brother, let him inform him that he loves him.” [Reported by Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi. Its chain of transmitters is Hasan (Good)].

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “A man was with the Prophet, and a man passed by. The man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I love this person.’ The Prophet asked, ‘Have you informed him?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet said, ‘Then inform him.’ The man caught up with him and said, ‘I love you for the sake of Allah.’ The other replied, ‘May the One for Whose sake you love me love you.’” [Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and Al-Hakim who graded it as Sahih (sound) and Al-Dhahabi agreed with him]

One of the traditions of friendship is visiting one another without any ulterior motives. It was reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet () said, “A man visited a brother of his in a village, so Allah put an angel in wait for him on the road. He asked him, ‘Where are you going?’ He replied, ‘To a brother of mine in this village.’ The angel said, ‘Is he responsible for some blessing you have?’ He said, ‘No, I have no desire except to visit him because I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted.’ Thereupon the angel said, ‘I am a messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake).’” (Reported by Muslim) Another narration stated, “Whosoever visits an ailing person or a brother of his to seek Allah’s pleasure, an announcer (angel) calls out, ‘May you be happy, may your walking be blessed, and may you be awarded a dignified position in Paradise.’” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi who graded it as Hasan (good)]

So fear Allah, may He have mercy on you, and reconcile between yourselves, and uphold the rights of your brothers. Be keen on unity and harmony, and avoid unnecessary affectation. Be sincere in your affection and keep your promises. Al-Fudayl () said, “People break their ties due to affectation. If one visits his brother and the latter demonstrated affectation for this visit, it will cause their ties to be severed.” We should remember the words of the Rightly Guided Caliph `Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) when he said, “Do not think ill of a word that comes from a Muslim while you can find a good interpretation for it.”

Finally, send blessings and peace upon the best of creation, your Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah as your Lord has commanded you to do so. He, the Almighty, says, “Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” (Quran 33: 56)

O Allah, send blessings, peace, and mercy upon Your servant and Messenger Muhammad, and upon his pure and righteous family. O Allah, be pleased with the four rightly-guided caliphs, the Companions, and all the believers, and grant us Your mercy along with them, O Most Merciful.

* Slightly adapted