Brotherhood in Islam and Thoughts of Said Beduzzaman Nursi

Islam is not only a dogmatic or metaphysical religion. It has direct manner on all aspects of worldly affairs also. It has implications with all spheres of human life and shows humankind the best way to conduct their private, social, political, economic, spiritual and other fields of life. It is thus called a complete code of life. In its social sphere, Islam laid down many such large guiding social values and principles which effectively built an edifice for a coherent, stable, peaceful and prosperous society. One of these principles is the Islamic ideal of brotherhood (ukhuwwah/ أُخُ ). This ideal indicates simultaneously brotherhood of a Muslim with another Muslim. Whereas the first brotherhood concept ensures a rational ummatism of Mu‟minun (one nationhood of believers), the second brotherhood concept upholds the base for peaceful and cooperative relation between Muslims and others. Thus, this later concept upholds the foundation of pluralism and multiculturalism in Islamic social, political, religious and cultural contexts. Al-Quran and Al-Hadith have abundant references to the ideals of Islamic brotherhood. These legal compendiums of Islam are indicative of the fact that Tawhid (unity of God) is the pillar of believer‟s brotherhood. Besides, five fundamentals of Islam, such as Iman, Salat, Sawm, Hajj and Zakat are also some provisions which play greater role to build a sound brotherhood environment in Islam. As the prejudice of human supremacy on the basis of sex, color, ethnic, social or political origin is a barrier to brotherhood and fellow feeling hence, such prejudice has been out rightly discarded by the Quran and the Sunnah. This article presents and explains some of the above ideals and reference of the Quran and the Sunnah relating to brotherhood. Besides, one of the Turkish great intelligentsia Said Bediuzzaman Nursi has also been referred in the article for his unique thought on Islamic brotherhood. According to him, Muslim should practice properly the ideals of the Quran and the Sunnah to build a consistent, cooperative, peaceful and prosperous Muslim ummah and it is an utmost necessity for Muslim ummah to strive for self-purifications to build a bond of unbreakable brotherhood which could contribute to build a better world.