Disbeliever Brothers

Types of “brotherhood” – مفهوم الأخوة في الإسلام

If “brother” or “sister” is said to people of other faiths with religious connotations attached to it, i.e. that all faiths are basically the same and kufr, shirk and iman all lead to eternal salvation, etc, then that is not permissible.

However, if it is said without those religious connotations, then its fine, because all human beings are “brothers” and “sisters” in humanity.

EVIDENCES:

1- The Qur’an states:
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ
“Indeed, the believers are BROTHERS.” [49:10].

2- The Prophet said:
الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ
“A Muslim is a BROTHER of another Muslim.”
[“Sahih Bukhari”, 6951].

3- The Qur’an states:
وَإِلَىٰ عَادٍ أَخَاهُمْ هُودًا
“To the people of ‘Aad [We sent] their BROTHER, Hud.” [7:65].

4- The Qur’an states:
وَإِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَالِحًا
“To [the tribe of] Thamud [We sent] their BROTHER Salih.” [11:64].

5- The Qur’an states:
وَإِلَىٰ مَدْيَنَ أَخَاهُمْ شُعَيْبًا
“To [the people of] Midian [We sent] their BROTHER Shu’ayb.” [11:84].

6- The Qur’an states:
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ لُوطٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُون
“Their BROTHER Lot said to them…” [26:161].

7- The Qur’an states:
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُون
“Their BROTHER Noah said to them…” [26:106].

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Statements of Scholars:

1- Imam Nawawi says about the famous Hadith: “None of you believe until you wish for your brother what you wish for yourself”:
الأولى أن يحمل ذلك على عموم الأخوة حتى يشمل الكافر والمسلم فيحب لأخيه الكافر ما يحب لنفسه من دخوله في الإسلام كما يحب لأخيه المسلم دوامه على الإسلام ولهذا كان الدعاء بالهداية للكافر مستحبا والمراد بالمحبة إرادة الخير والمنفعة ثم المراد المحبة الدينية لا المحبة البشرية
“This is interpreted as brotherhood in general, such that it includes the disbeliever and the Muslim.
SO HE LOVES FOR HIS BROTHER, THE DISBELIEVER, WHAT HE LOVES FOR HIMSELF, which is his entering Islam, just as he should love for his brother Muslim that he remains in Islam.
For this reason, it is recommended to supplicate for the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love here is an intention for good and benefit, and this meaning is religious love, not human love.”
[“Sharḥ al-Arba’een”, 13].

2- Imam al-Sarakhsi al-Hanafi says:
الأخوة اسم مشترك قد يراد به : الأخوة في الدين ، قال الله تعالى : { إنما المؤمنون إخوة } ، وقد يراد به الاتحاد في القبيلة ، قال الله تعالى : { وإلى عاد أخاهم هودا } ، وقد يراد به الأخوة في النسب
“Brotherhood” is a comprehensive word. It may refer to brotherhood in religion, as Allaah says: “Indeed, the believers are brothers.” Or it may mean being part of a tribe, as Allaah says: “And unto ‘Aad (We sent) their brother Hud.” And it can also refer to brotherhood in kinship (Nasab).”
[“Al-Mabsoot”, 7/68].

3- It is written in ‘Tafsir al-Manar’:
والآية دليل على جواز تسمية القريب أو الوطني الكافر أخاً.
“And to ‘Aad (We) sent their brother Hud”, and this verse is proof that it is permissible to call one’s unbelieving relative or countrymen ‘brother’.”
[“Tafsir Al-Manaar”, 8/441].

Allaahu A’lam