Sisterhood in Islam

 

As
Muslims sisters strive to gain knowledge about their religion and
endeavor to increase their Iman, there is one issue of importance
that often seems to be neglected. This is the issue of Sisterhood
in Islam.

Sisters
may greet each other, spend time socializing, give gifts during
happy occasions, cook for those who have a new baby, etc., but this
is only the surface level of Sisterhood. To understand what this
special relationship really means we must go much deeper than that.

We
need to go to the level of the heart from which the bonds of Sisterhood
emanate. This relationship is very special because it involves a
unique type of love; one that cannot be experienced in any other
social connection. It is a feeling that is particularly extraordinary
for those of us who are revert/converts to Islam.

To
really enjoy the beauty of this bond we need to completely comprehend
the elements that are involved. A letter has been written to each
of us to assist us in this endeavor, Insha-Allah. Let us put this
knowledge in our hearts and we will begin to see the seeds of true
Sisterhood grow into a beautiful, flowering plant, Insha-Allah.

Assalamu Alaikum
Wa Rahmatullah Wa Baraktuh

My Dear Sister
in Islam:

Insha-Allah,
everything is well with you and those close to you. I am writing
this letter to let you know how much I care and to help us both
gain an understanding of what Sisterhood in Islam really means,
Insha-Allah. I care about you because we share something that is
more special than the whold world and all that it contains; we share
the belief in the Onenesss of Allah (SWT) and the religion that
He (SWT) has given to us. This is a gift that transcends any differences
we may have in regard to race, color, nationality, culture or language.
Being a sister in Islam is one of the many blessings that comes
from acceptance of the true path of Allah (SWT). It is also a responsibility
that we each have as members of the Muslim Ummah. To fufill our
obligation, we first need to understand what is required of us.

This is what
the bond of Sisterhood in Islam means to me, based upon the wisdom
of Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (SAW),

"...And lower your wing for the believers (be courteous to
the fellow-believers)." (Al-Hijr 15:88)

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"None of
you has Iman (faith) until he desires for his brother (or sister)
Muslim that which he desires for himself (or herself)." (Bukhari
and Muslim)

He (SAW) also
said,

"The Muslims
in their mutual love, kindness and compassion are like the human
body where when one of its parts is in agony the entire body feels
the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever." (Bukhari and Muslim)

I love you for
the sake of Allah (SWT) ...

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,

"On the
Day of Judgement, Allah, the Most High, will announce, 'Where are
those who love each other for the sake of My pleasure? This day
I am going to shelter them in the shade provided by Me. Today there
is no shade except My shade." (Muslim)

I will be sure
to tell you of my love, Insha-Allah ...

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"If a person
loves his brother, he should inform him of this fact." (Abu
Dawud and Tirmidi)

I will be merciful
and compassionate toward you, Insha-Allah ...

Allah (SWT)
says,

"Muhammad
is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe
against the disbelievers, and merciful among themselves..."
(Al-Fath 48:29)

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"Do not
be envious of other Muslims; do not overbid at auctions against
another Muslim; do not have malice against a Muslim; do not go against
a Muslim and forsake him; do not make an offering during a pending
transaction. O' servants of Allah, be like brothers (or sisters)
with each other. A Muslim is the brother (or sister) of another
Muslim; do not hurt him (or her), or look down upon him (or her)
or bring shame on him (or her). Piety is a matter of heart (The
Prophet (SAW) repeated this thrice). It is enough evil for a person
to look down upon his Muslim brother (or sister). The blood, property
and honor of a Muslim is inviolable to a Musilm." (Muslim)

I will keep
company with you, Insha-Allah ...

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"Keep company
with a believer only, and let your food be eaten only by the righteous."
(Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)

He (SAW) also
said,

"A person
is likely to follow the faith of his friend, so look whom you befriend."
(Abu Dawud and Tirmidi)

I will help
you when necessary and I will cover your shortcomings, Insha-Allah
...

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"One who
helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this
world, Allah will remove the former's distress on the Day of Judgement.
He who helps to remove the hardship of another, will have his difficulties
removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. One who covers
the shortcomings of another Muslim, will have his faults covered
up in this world and the next by Allah. Allah continues to help
a servant so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister)."
(Muslim)

I will encourage
you to the right, Insha-Allah ...

Allah (SWT)
says,

"The believers,
men and women. are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors)
of one another, they enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamio
Monotheism and all that Islma orders one to do), and forbids (people)
from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and
all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their prayers perfectly
(Iqamat-as-Salat); and give the Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger.
Allah will have His mercy upon them. Surely, Allah is All-Mighty,
All-Wise." (At-Tauba 9:71)

When the Prophet
(SAW) instructed,

"Help your
(Muslim) brother (or sister) when he commits a wrong and when a
wrong is committed against him, someone asked, "O Messenger
of Allah, I understand how I can help him if a wrong is committed
against him, but how can I help him if he is himself committing
a wrong?" At that the Prophet (SAW) answered, "Stopping
him from committing the wrong is helping him." (Bukhari)

I will fulfill
my minimum duties and beyond, Insha-Allah ...

The Prophet
(SAW) said,

"A Muslim
owes six obligations towards another Muslim: when you meet him (or
her), salute him (or her) saying 'Assalamu Alaikum; when he (or
she) invites you, accept his (or her) invitation; when he (or she)
solicits your advice, advise him (or her) sincerely; when he (or
she) sneezes and praises Allah, respond with the supplication Yarhamuk
Allah (Allah have mercy on you); when he (or she) falls sick, visit
him (or her); on his (or her) death, join his (or her funeral)."
(Muslim)

He (SAW) also
said,

"When a
Muslim visits his (or her) Muslim brother (or sister) who is sick,
he (or she) certainly gathers the fruits of Paradise until he (or
she) returns (from visiting)." (Muslim)

You should understand,
dear sister, that these are only some of the promises that I have
made to you and to Allah (SWT), Insha-Allah. I will strive to fufill
each of them to the best of my ability, Insha-Allah. Insha-Allah
you will do the same for all of your sisters in Islam. This will
not only enhance our bounds of Sisterhood, but will also strengthen
the fibers of the Muslim Ummah as we acquire and utilize the wisdom
of Islam, Insha-Allah. Our ultimate goal is to gain the pleasure
of Allah (SWT), as well as His Mercy and Blessings, Insha-Allah.
May we both find the true peace that comes with being a Muslim and
attaing the highest of rewards: Paradise. Ameen!!!

With true love,

Your Sister
in Islam

Walaikum Assalam
Wa Rahmatullah Wa Baraktuh