Reflection 5 – On the True Virtue of Brotherhood in Islam

October 2019. It has been now around four months since I moved with my wife and kids back to Irvine to take part in an ALS clinical trial at UCI. It’s a difficult time for all of us especially my wife, who has a huge burden on her shoulder. Luckily enough, we had some amazing family members, who joined us to help out as much as they can. It began with my brother – in-law and his newlywed then my parents along with other family members. For me this was amazing enough given the long trip between Cairo and Irvine. Adding to my bewilderment was the number of friends that came from different parts of the world; Egypt, Saudia Arabia and even Mauritius!

A second batch of friends arrives to visit after the first came in August. By now, I‘m a regular at water therapy that is assumed to be beneficial in ALS cases. This time, however; I am joined by my friend. My instructor is not familiar with this new face. I explain to her that this a friend, who came to visit. She was very surprised as this was not the first time. She saw my brother-in-law and my parents before. The following month it’s new family members, then followed by several other friends for about four consecutive months just before the COVID outbreak. Each time she is introduced to new faces and she simply couldn‘t comprehend the fact that they were simply friends, who saw the urge to come and visit in this difficult time. For me, these were not simply friends but rather real ones, who very much understood the true meaning of brotherhood in Islam; they understood that whatever costs they incurred or whatever time and effort they had to sacrifice that nothing goes to waste before Allah. They understood that putting a smile to their friend and his family means a lot to him and is one of the most beloved acts before Allah.

All of these events reminded me of a Youtube video I saw several years ago before falling sick. The video done by Imam Omar Suleiman asked random Muslims what is THE thing they like most about Islam or what really stands out for them. Of course, answers varied but it was interesting to see how people view Islam differently. For me, it was brotherhood that first came to my mind at that time. Fast forward several years and I practically saw the virtue of brotherhood demonstrated by my friends. This is of course not to disregard many others, who didn‘t visit but still offered great comfort and support in other ways. And all of this? Doesn’t even come close to the immense amount of? Help and support I received since returning to Egypt. All of this really makes me humbled in front of Allah that I was a recipient of this great blessing of true brotherhood.

I love y’all