Muslims strengthening one another

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا – وَشَبَّكَ أَصَابِعَهُ

A believer to another believer is like the bricks of a building, each one strengthening each other.” Thereupon, the Prophet (peace be upon him) clasped his hands and interlaced his fingers.

Explanation of the hadeeth

It is obligatory that the relationship of a Muslim with his brother Muslim that of unity and working together and love and kindness. They should work together towards establishing the good and keeping away harm. They should be trying to establish a good virtuous way of life. They should be working hard to gain for themselves and one another those things that make them happy and that they care about. If someone is attacked then his brother should rush to his aide. He must understand and believe that his existence  is tied to the existence of his brother, and his safety and security is tied to that of his brother.

Here, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) wanted to explain the importance and strength of unity, so he made it similarly to a building. Just like a building and its foundation will not be strong and solid if the different parts are not connected, the believers will not be strong if its parts are not united and together.

To make this point even more clear and understandable, He (صلى الله عليه و سلم) interlaced His fingers. If the fingers are brought together and locked, it is easier for the people to establish what they need. On the other hand, if they separate, then the situation is weakened and no one is able to establish what they need.

Therefore it is upon us all as Muslims to establish this peace of wisdom that was given to them. We need to understand that unity is the way toward establishing strength and might, a good life, aide against any and all enemies. All of this is established  if we were to apply the statement of Allah {And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Quran), and be not divided among yourselves …} [3:103] and {… and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart …} [8:46].

That which is benefited from the hadeeth

1. The recommendation of coming together and aiding one another.
2. That unity is a way which leads to strength and division is a way which leads to weakness.
3. That it us upon the Muslims to take the situation of his brother as important, and to stand in the face of their enemies all together.
4. That when we give advise, that we should try to use examples that allow the ones listening the opportunity to picture the meanings in their minds as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) did when He interlocked His fingers.