Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The religion of Islam, which was sent for the salvation of humanity, declared its followers as brothers and sisters. Allah (swt) says in the Quran; “The believers are but brothers.”[1] What has built the Islamic Ummah in history and will ensure its stability until the Day of Judgment is that the Allah (swt) has made us brothers and sisters. Regardless of color, race and language throughout the world, those who believe in Allah (swt), His Messenger and the Last Day are bound to one another by spiritual bonds that cannot be broken. Rasulullah (saw) has said: “You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.”[2]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The religion of Islam ended the aggression of the Arab tribes, who had clashes and hate among themselves, in the geography where it first descended. On this note, Allah (swt) says; “And hold firmly to the rope of Allāh all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allāh upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allāh make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.”[3]

Afterwards, in the established Islamic civilisation, a brotherhood that transcended races and languages ​​were established. At the center of the steadfast unity in these hearts, the Islamic belief determined by the Qur’an and the Sunnah has taken place and continues to do so.

Dear Jama’ah!

The most distinctive feature of Islamic brotherhood is the existence of a love that is far from the feelings of daily interest. The reason that motivates this love is the desire to attain the pleasure of Allah. Rasulullah (saw) has said; “You will not enter Paradise until you have faith and you will not have faith until you love each other. Shall I show you something that, if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace between yourselves.”[4] The main purpose of the greeting tradition in Islamic culture is to strengthen our brotherly relations.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We have to pay attention to the Islamic brotherhood, which is commanded by Allah (swt). We should not withhold our material and moral support to our brothers and sisters, both near and far. Wherever they are in the world, we should worry about the problems of Muslims. We must protect our brothers and sisters who are victims and oppressed and never leave them alone. Let’s not forget that the prayers we perform such as zakat, charity, fitra and qurban reinforce our brotherhood. We should not show any laziness in fulfilling these worships. We must reunite our brothers who are apart from each other and strengthen their ties. Establishing the brotherhood and unity of the hearts of Muslims will be helpful in the dominance of love and compassion on earth.

May Allah (swt) make the feelings of brotherhood amongst all Muslims permanent and constant. Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:10

[2] Buhârî, Edeb, 27; Müslim, Birr, 66

[3] Surah Âl-i İmrân, 3:103

[4] Müslim, İman, 93-94

Khutba: Our Understanding of Brotherhood