The Prophet Said About Unity and Brotherhood
لاَ تَقَاطَعُوا وَلاَ تَدَابَرُوا وَلاَ تَبَاغَضُوا وَلاَ تَحَاسَدُوا وَكُونُوا إِخْوَانًا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ
“Do not boycott one another, do not turn your backs on one another, do not hate one another, do not envy one another, but be brothers as Allah has commanded you.”
In this hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) addressed four of the most destructive behaviours that can tear apart the bonds between Muslims: boycotting one another, turning away from each other, harbouring hatred, and allowing envy to take root in the heart. He then concluded with a clear and direct command to be brothers as Allah has ordered. This is one of the most comprehensive teachings from the Prophet (pbuh) on the topic of unity and brotherhood in Islam, and it serves as a powerful reminder that maintaining healthy relationships within the Muslim community is not optional but a divine obligation. For anyone seeking to understand what Islam says about unity, brotherhood, and the dangers of division, this hadith lays down the foundation with unmistakable clarity.
Each of the four prohibitions targets a different stage of how relationships break down. It often begins with envy, where a person resents the blessings that Allah has given to someone else. That envy then grows into hatred, which poisons the heart and changes how a person views their brother or sister in faith. Hatred leads to turning one’s back, avoiding the other person, refusing to speak, and withdrawing from the relationship. And the final stage is a complete boycott, where all ties are severed and the bond of brotherhood is destroyed. The Prophet (pbuh) understood this progression deeply, which is why he addressed all four together. He was not simply listing bad behaviours; he was describing a chain reaction that begins in the heart and ends in the collapse of community. By naming each stage, he gave the believer the awareness to catch themselves early, before a small feeling of jealousy spirals into something far more damaging.
Allah says in Surah Aal-i-Imraan of the Quran, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided” (Quran 3:103), commanding the believers to remain united and never allow division to weaken them. As Al-Wadud, Allah is the source of all genuine love, and He places affection between the hearts of those who strive to live as true brothers and sisters in faith. When a believer guards their heart against envy and hatred, they protect not only their relationships but also the unity that Allah has commanded for this entire community.
