Thanks and praise be to the One Reality that brought us into being and to which we will return, and salutations to the Messenger who was sent to inform us of this Reality, Muhammad the Chosen One, and to his purified progeny who protected the Message. The ethics and spirit of brotherhood are one of the foundations of Islam, and an integral part of walaya, consisting of love and loyalty to the Imam (as), and love and loyalty to those who also love and are loyal to the Imam (as). Such ethics can be seen in the bond that existed between the Holy Prophet (s) and Imam ‘Ali (as), and also in the teachings of Imam Ali (as) to his Shi‘a. This discussion examines the importance of cultivating and nurturing the bonds of brotherhood in light of the sacred knowledge that the Holy Prophet (s) transmitted to his noble successor, Amir al-Mu’minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (as). Before starting, it should be emphasised that brotherhood, in this case, extends to sisterhood. In 49:10, the Holy Qur’an says: ‘Innamaa al-mu’minun ikhwatun fa aslahu bayna akhwakum wa attaqqu Allah la’allakum tarhamun.’: ‘Indeed the believers are brothers, so make peace between your brothers and be wary of Allah, so that you may receive His mercy.’ There are many narrations in this tradition that speak of the sacred nature of the bonds of brotherhood in Islam. The Holy Prophet (s) said, ‘Looking at the brother you love for the sake of Allah (swt) is ‘ibadah’. (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 74). In speaking of the Holy Prophet (s) himself, Imam Ali (as) has said, ‘Through him Allah buried mutual rancour and put off the flames of revolt. Through him He [Allah] gave them affection like brothers and separated those who were together (through unbelief).’ (Sermon 95). We only have to look at the bond of brotherhood between the Holy Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (as) to see an example of perfect mutual trust and an enduring bond of mutual protection throughout life. It can also be seen how the Holy Prophet (s), some thirty years older than Imam Ali (as), saw the qualities in him of someone who would be worthy of bearing the knowledge that the Holy Prophet (s) had to ensure was safely transmitted and implemented. This was a friendship and a brotherhood that went against the norms of the time. As we know, it was considered laughable by Quraysh that Imam Ali (as) should be selected as the wasiy of the Holy Prophet (s) and that the elders of Quraysh should follow him, but again, it shows the clear, and strict Islamic ethics of evaluating a human being by the qualities of their character and nothing else.
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