How should a Muslim treat his brothers?

[Mujaheedah-fee-Sabi'lilah]

1. He loves them for the sake of Allah

This is a love untainted by any worldly interests or ulterior motives. True brotherly love is a relationship whose purity is derived from the light of Islamic guidance (Dr. Muhammad A. al-Hashimi). It is a bond that links a Muslim to his brothers regardless of geographical origins, ethnicity, skin color, or language. (It is) a bond based upon faith in Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) Who is greater than all our little petty divisions.

"The Believers are but a single brotherhood…." [Al-Hujuraat 49:10]

A love which is an expression of the sweetness of faith: "There are three things that whoever attains them will find the sweetness of faith: if Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone else; if he loves a person solely for the sake of Allah; if he would hate to return to kufr after Allah has rescued him from it, as much as he would hate be thrown into the Fire." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So this is not love for the sake of status, notoriety, or fame. It is a love that requires a clean heart, a light heart, a soft and pliable heart.

In the hadeeth of Mu'adh reported by at-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allah said: `Those who love one another for My glory, will have minbars of light, and the Prophets and martyrs will wish that they had the same" [hasan saheeh hadeeth]

This kind of love is the only way to eliminate hatred, jealousy, and rivalry from peoples hearts.

2. He shows them kindness, faithfulness, and equity

The importance of kindness is mentioned hundreds of times in the Qur'aan! Islam instills in its followers the characteristic of kindness and faithfulness towards one's friends, including the parents of one's friends. The seerah is filled with examples of kindness and faithfulness among the early believers. If you remember the story concerning `Aaisha (radiallahu `anhaa) who used to become upset with Rasoolullah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) because he used to extend himself to the friends of his late first wife, Khadijah (radiallahu `anhaa). He (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) spoke highly of Khadijah (radiallahu `anhaa) and sometimes he would slaughter a sheep and send a large portion to Khadijah's friends.

3. He meets them with a warm, friendly, smiling face

In Muslim it is reported our beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: "Do not think little of any good deed, even if it is just greeting your brother with a cheerful countenance."

The act of smiling actually stimulates the secretion of certain chemicals (endorphins) that increase our sense of well-being.

"Your smiling at your brother is an act of charity (sadaqah)" [reported by at-Tirmidhi who said it is hasan gharib)

4. He is sincere towards them

Sincerity is one of the most basic principles of Islam and a central foundation of the faith. Without sincerity, a brother's faith is invalid and his Islam is worthless. When the first believers gave allegiance (bay'ah) to the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam), they pledged their sincerity. This is confirmed by the statement of Jarir ibn `Abdullah (radiallahu `anhu): "I gave allegiance to the Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) and pledged to observe regular prayer, to pay zakat and to be sincere towards every Muslim." [Agreed upon]

Furthermore, our beloved Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said: "None of you truly believes until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself" [Agreed upon] It is impossible to do this without sincerity.

5. He does not forsake or abandon his brother(s)

The religion that calls for love, continued contact, and mutual affection is also the religion (Islam) that has forbidden brothers in faith to hate or abandon one another. It is reported by al-Bukhari in al-Adab al-Mufrad: "No two people who love one another for the sake of Allah, or for the sake of Islam, will let the first minor offense of either of them come between them."

more to come insha'Allah

gotten from an article

[Beards]

Bismillah,
May Allah reward you for it.