Abandoning a Muslim Brother

[بنت الأزور]

Abandoning a Muslim Brother

This is one of the ways in which Shaytan ( the devil ) causes division among Muslims , and those who follow in the footsteps of Shaytan may forsake a Muslim brother for no legitimate reason other than a dispute over money or some trivial disagreement . This division may continue for a lifetime , with one swearing that he will never speak to the other and vowing never to set foot in his house , turning the other direction if he sees him in the street or ignoring him if he happens to encounter him in a gathering , shaking hands with everyone else but him . This is a cause of weakness in the Muslim community , hence the ruling concerning this is decisive and warning against it is stern


Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet 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

Abu Khuraash al-Aslami reported that the Prophet said
:
" Whoever forsakes his brother for a year , it is as if he has shed his blood "
Reported by al-Bukhaari in al-Adab al-Mufrad , hadeeth no.406 ; see also Saheeh al-Jaami` , 6557

It is bad enough that division among Muslims results in their being deprived of theforgiveness of Allah
.


Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said
:
"
The deeds of the people are shown to Allah twice a week , on Mondays and Thursdays ; He forgives all His believing slaves , except for the one between whom and his brother is enmity . He says , " Leave these two until they reconcile

. "
"
Reported by Muslim , 4/1988

Whichever of the two parties repents to Allah must then go back to his brother and greet him with salaam ; if he does this and the other person ignores him , then the former is free of blame and the responsibility falls upon the latter


Abu Ayyoob reported that the Prophet said
:
"
It is not permissible for a man to forsake his brother for more than three nights , each turning away if they meet . The better of the two is the one who is the first to greet the other with salaam
. "
Reported by al-Bukhaari , Fat`h al-Baari , 10/492

There may be causes where there is legitimate reason for forsaking a person , such as his not praying , or persisting in immorality . If forsaking him will benefit him by bringing him to his senses and making him see the error of his ways , then it is obligatory to forsake him , but if it will only make him more stubborn and persistent in his sin , then it is not right to forsake him , for nothing is achieved by doing so . Forsaking him will only make matters worse , so the right thing to do is to continue treating him kindly , and advising and reminding him
.




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The translation into Arabic is here
:

http://www.al-shaaba.net/vb/showthread.php?t=17345