Ukhwah??

1) Definition of Ukhwah

-In your opinion, what is ukhwah?

2) Importance of ukhwah

• Why is ukhwah extremely important in Rasulullah's (s.a.w.) community? Why is ukhwah a big deal in Islam?
• How did the Muslims emerged victorious in the Battle of Badr despite having a contigent of only 300 fighting against 1000?
• How is the Malay peribahasa : "Bersatu teguh, bercerai roboh" (United we stand, divided we fall) related to ukhwah?
• eg: Soccer is a game of 11 people. Can we win with only 1 player?

3) Surah As-Saff, 4th Verse:

Lo! Allah loveth them who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid structure.

Sesungguhnya Allah mengasihi orang-orang yang berperang untuk membela agamaNya, dalam barisan yang teratur rapi, seolah-olah mereka sebuah bangunan yang tersusun kukuh.

4) How to establish and strengthen ukhwah

a) Within Family

Common challenges faced:

• no time to spend with family
• lack of sense of belonging in the family due to problems such as family breakdown which tends to lead to a larger social problem

It's natural for humans to want to lead a happier life

Opportunities in which you can strengthen family ties:

• Weddings
• Death of a family member
• Kenduri

b) Within the Community

• Get to know your neighbours
• Be involved with the community
• Be aware of the people around you
• Relations with non-Muslims

c) Within Friends

• When you meet them, the most basic recommended thing to do: give Salam and shake hands
• As a Muslim, you can help other Muslims gain entry into Heaven

• Provide food, help each other out
• Solat in Jemaah

5) Taking other people's feelings into consideration

Story quoted: The slander against 'Aisyah r.a.

The infamous story of the slander of 'Aisyah ra after the expedition against Bani Mustaliq where she went to answer the call of nature while the army momentarily halted. Her return to rejoin the army procession was delayed because she misplaced her necklace.

Upon her return, the army had already left, leaving her alone in the middle of the barren desert. Thankfully, a companion fron the Muhajirins stumbled upon her and brought her along on his camel. However, the hypocrites began to create slander which caused much hurt for Rasulullah saw and 'Aisyah ra. 'Aisyah protested her innocence and eventually fell ill. She went back to her father, Abu Bakr ra, while Rasulullah saw waited for divine revelation which came to acquit 'Aisyah from the malicious slander.
[ Summarized from Raheeq al-Makhtoum ]

The above narration illustrates the seriousness of slander and how much it affected Rasulullah saw and 'Aisyah ra.

Has it ever crossed your mind:
 
- One of the ways to maintain the ukhwah is to be aware of the way we speak. You have to know how to take other people's feelings into consideration before speaking.