One of the sins Muslims commit inadvertently is abandoning a Muslim brother for more than three days. Most of us in this part of the world are guilty of that. A lot of reasons are adduced for this inadequacy.

While some will blame it on their busy schedule, some will say: “I ve my own life to live” and all that. Brotherhood in Islam is a matter of obligation and not a matter of choice and that is why it becomes a sin if you fail to fulfill your part as a Muslim brother.

It is a comprehensive concept that is based upon good character with others, treating others the way we want to be treated, and uniting under common values. In every Muslim, there must exist a sense of community, friendship, and common purpose in Islam for the sake of Allah.

It is only when we we do this that we will know what is happening to another brother and how we can offer assistance individually or collectively. Segregation, or showing lack of concern for others or forsaking another Muslim brother is one of the ways in which Shaytan causes division among Muslims. A dispute or some trivial disagreement may not be enough except it is only based on committing sin against Allah.

Trivial disagreement

No matter the differences, a Muslim must not say “I’ll never go to his house, or ignoring him if he happens to encounter him in a gathering is a sin. This is a cause of weakness in the Muslim community, hence the ruling concerning this is decisive and the warning against it is stern. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “It is not permitted for a Muslim to forsake his brother for more than three (days); whoever does this and dies, he will enter Hell.” (Reported by Abu Dawud, 5/215; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 7635). Now, on the issue of suicide, it is a major sin. A Muslim has no right to take his own life, no matter the circumstances. The Prophet taught that any one who commits suicide will dwell in eternal hell fire, adding that Allah will punish him with the means that which he used to commit suicide. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever throws himself down from a mountain and kills himself will be throwing himself down in the Fire of Hell for ever and ever.

Whoever drinks poison and kills himself will be sipping it in the Fire of Hell for ever and ever. Whoever kills himself with a piece of iron will have that iron in his hand, thrusting it into his belly in the Fire of Hell for ever and ever.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5442) and Muslim (109), In another related hadith, the Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Whoever kills himself with something will be punished with it on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5700) and Muslim (110).

It was narrated that Jundub ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: “A man among those who came before you was wounded. He panicked and took a knife and cut his hand, and the bleeding did not stop until he died. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: ‘My slave hastened his death; I have forbidden Paradise to him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3276) and Muslim (113).

Another important thing to note is that scholars and clerics in Islam may refrain from offerring Janaza for anyone who commits suicide. This follows the action of the Prophet (s.a.w) who refrained from offering the funeral prayer for one who had committed suicide, as a punishment to him and also as a deterrence to other. Although, he was said to have given permission to people to offer the funeral prayer for him. It was narrated that Jaabir ibn Samurah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: A man who had killed himself with a broad arrow-head was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and he did not offer the funeral prayer for him. Narrated by Muslim, 978.

The believer in any kind of trauma has to be patient and seek the help of Allah. He should understand that no matter what hardship befalls him in this world, no matter how severe it is; the punishment of the Hereafter is worse than it. It is not acceptable according to anyone who is of right mind to run away from the heat of the desert and throw himself into the fire. How can he flee from temporary hardship and difficulty; which inevitably will come to an end; to an eternal punishment which has no end?

Eternal punishment

Any Muslim in that circumstance should ponder and realise that he is not the only one in this world who is affected by that adversity. Different kinds of adversities befell the greatest of mankind, namely the Prophets, Messengers and the righteous. They also befell the worst of mankind, namely the disbelievers and atheists.

It is part of natural order of things to have issues and occurence that will sometimes be painful, and hardly anyone is safe from it. Human being is bound to face them, and he must endeavour to overcome them no matter how difficult they are. We are even taught that even when pain, hardship, sickness or grief befalls a believer, if he remains steadfast and overcome it, some of his bad deeds will be expiated.

If the believer handles it well and remains steadfast, and it becomes a means that makes him turn back to Allah and strive hard in worship and righteous deeds, then the calamity would have been good for him and would be expiation for his sins, and perhaps he would meet Allah with no burden of sin.

May Allah give us the taqwa to keep us away from sin and enough devotion and obedience to Him to help us reach His Paradise. Amin.