Please Say: (My Brethren/Brother in Humanity) and Never Say: (My Brethren/Brother in God)!

Published in September 23, 2017

Translated by: Ahmed Fathy

Firstly:

1- The modern expression in Arabic (and other languages) of (brother/brethren in humanity) is contemporary cultural expression used today more often than not. It indicates all human beings united in peace, and this goes with the Quranic message of peace, because Islam is an international religion of peace for all humanity. Islam in terms of behavior is peace and adherence to peaceful demeanor with everyone else who are peaceful as well, whether these peaceful people where in Mongolia or in Mozambique.   

2- The blasphemous expression we refute here in this article, and we urge all people not to use it at all, is (brother/brethren in God/Allah). The Quran never mentions such a phrase. One either believes or disbelieves in God, and one may perform a deed for God's sake, but no group should dare to claim that its members are brethren in God! we are not to ascribe things to God; how come that people may share the exact degree/level of faith as peers parallel to one another?! How come that some people distinguish themselves apart from other believers by shared notions that pertains only to them?! This is blasphemous as God never commands us to establish religious esoteric groups that ascribe themselves to Him apart from other people.  

3- We assert here that the blasphemous insulting phrase (brother/brethren in God/Allah) is typically used by many people who adhere to earthly, man-made religions, especially the Muhammadans. Such an insult indicates their arrogance as they claim to monopolize God's name and they take airs of being 'special' believers who share certain ideas, while any persons outside their circle are either less worthy or having less faith or are 'foes' or 'enemies' of God! To ascribe such weird ideas of any group to God is utter blasphemy; one does not recommend oneself in that evil excluding ways. Allah is the One God and Lord for all humanity and all the worlds; He is not 'confined' (Heaven forbid!) to certain group or denomination or 'owned' by them (e.g., Jews, Christians, or Muhammadans). We implore God for forgiveness, but we have to write this to show how blasphemous such an expression is. We, Quranists, are not to use it at all.   

4- Sadly, this blasphemous phrase (brother/brethren in Allah) is repeated orally and in written material by the Sunnites; they typically and arrogantly seek to recommend themselves as if they were the only 'true' believers on Earth!

4/1: Sunnites assume they are the only nation loved by God! Proof: they never use the silly expression (brother/brethren in God) to refer to Israelis, Jews, Shiites, Sufis, Baha'is, or Buddhists.     

4/2: Sunnites who use this blasphemous expression imitate the Sufi polytheists who claim that their 'saints'/deities are (the people of God); this expression is very insulting to God and violates the Quranic Chapter 112 we quote here in full: " Say, "He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is nothing comparable to Him."" (112:1-4).

4/3: Sunnites who use such expression of blasphemy try to show that they confiscate 'Islam' as if it were theirs alone and to show to their foes and rivals of other doctrines that they are the 'only' and 'true' believers while the rest are nobodies. This is why we find in the same vein that the terrorist MB group has called itself (the Muslim Brotherhood), as if non-MBs were not deemed as Muslims! It is as if the terrorist MB were super/extra Muslims! How silly! The same silliness is found in the appellations of Sunnite religious groups, newspapers, and societies: the Truth, the Light, the True Call, The Umma of Sunna, etc. and they use a lot the blasphemous phrase (brother/brethren in God) in their meetings and gatherings.

Secondly: real brethren in Islam are brethren in humanity and peace:

1- We have written many times before that Islam has two levels of meanings: 1) peaceful behavior when dealing with all peaceful people, and 2) piety inside one's heart/mind in terms of acts of worship and faith, etc. when dealing with God. Those who apply both levels in their lives deserve to enter into Paradise (described in the Quran as the Dwelling of Peace) in the Hereafter, and their greetings there is (Peace!) amongst one another and with angels.

2- All human beings are brethren however different are their wealth, races, colors, tongues, etc. as they were born from one man and one woman: Adam and Eve. Islam in terms of demeanor is adhering to peace within piety and the fear of our Lord Allah: "O people! We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another. The best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is All-Knowing, Well-Experienced." (49:13). Such diversity should urge human beings to get to know one another within peaceful dealings that include marriage, as marriage is based on peace. This is why any peaceful female can marry any peaceful male regardless of differences in faiths/denominations, culture, race, wealth, etc.  

3- Because all human beings are brethren, God addresses them as "Children of Adam" in many Quranic verses: "O children of Adam! We have provided you with clothing to cover your bodies, and for luxury... O Children of Adam! Do not let Satan seduce you..." (7:26-27); "O Children of Adam! Dress properly at every place of worship..." (7:31); " O Children of Adam! When messengers from among you come to you, relating to you My verses - whoever practices piety and reforms - upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (7:35); "We have honored the Children of Adam, and carried them on land and sea, and provided them with good things, and greatly favored them over many of those We created." (17:70).

4- In the Hereafter, Paradise dwellers are brethren of one gender, who have been the pious males and females during their lifetime on Earth. "But the righteous will be in gardens with springs. "Enter it in peace and security." And We will remove all ill-feelings from their hearts - brethren on couches facing one another. No fatigue will ever touch them therein, nor will they be asked to leave it." (15:45-48). Their good deeds will turn into houris as their mates.

5- Those pious ones who earn Paradise combine Islam in terms of peaceful demeanor and in terms of piety and acts of worship. When they adhere to this Islam all their lifetimes, which is the Islam acceptable by God on the Last Day, they will be among the winners in Paradise where they meet as brethren, in contrast to losers who will enter into Hell for eternity: "Whoever seeks other than Islam as a religion, it will not be accepted from him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers." (3:85).   

Thirdly: brethren in peace/Islam are unlike the aggressive disbelievers:

1- Any peaceful persons are Muslims in terms of behavior, regardless of their faiths/beliefs inside their hearts, denominations, acts of worship, or even if they are atheists. The word (peace) describes God's religion in relation to peaceful dealings with people. Arabian tribes knew no peace before Islam as they engaged into endless wars and raids, and some Arabs entered into peaceful behavior (Islam = peaceful demeanor) but their hearts remained for a while away from the required monotheism and piety and the needed adherence to the Quran, and God has told them the following, as He addresses all humanity: "And hold fast to the rope of God, altogether, and do not become divided. And remember God's blessings upon you; how you were enemies, and He reconciled your hearts, and by His grace you became brethren. And you were on the brink of a pit of fire, and He saved you from it. God thus clarifies His verses for you, so that you may be guided." (3:103). This means that warring tribes became peaceful people, but many of them lacked faith/belief in the Quranic text to be saved from Hell. Shortly before Muhammad's death, people entered into God's religion, i.e., peace, as Muhammad never knew their hearts to know if they believed in the Quran or not; he saw only overt peaceful demeanor and rejection of raids/wars and religious persecution. The fact that Arabian tribes adhered to peace was a great victory granted by God to people, because peace is God's religion, as we infer from these verses: " When there comes God's victory and triumph. And you see the people entering God's religion in multitudes." (110:1-2)          

2- This scene of Arabs entering into peace in throngs and multitudes was not easy to take place; many battles took place before it, and God in the Quran has urged aggressive disbelievers to repent and adhere to peace in return for being pardoned and forgiven by Him: "Say to those who disbelieve: if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist - the practice of the ancients has passed away." (8:38).  

3- Islam in terms of peaceful behavior is adherence to non-violence as well as performing acts of worship (prayers, zakat, etc.) in piety and in the dear of our Lord God, and people can judge overt behavior of peace (or lack of it) as we infer from this verse about those who mix good and bad deeds: "Say, "Work. God will see your work, and so will His messenger, and the believers. Then you will be returned to the Knower of secrets and declarations, and He will inform you of what you used to do."" (9:105). And we infer this also from this verse that addresses hypocrites: "...And God will watch your actions, and so will the messenger; then you will be returned to the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, and He will inform you of what you used to do." (9:94). Thus, human beings can judge behaviors as aggressive/violent or peaceful, whereas piety and faith are judged only by the Omniscient God in the Hereafter.  

4- Thus, repentance by adhering to zakat and prayers in piety has two levels: overt peaceful behavior observed by people and piety within one's heart watched only by the Dominant and Omniscient Lord Allah, Who will judge piety and peaceful behavior of people on the Last Day. Shortly before Muhammad's death, the Meccans of Qorayish entered into peace (i.e., Islam in terms of behavior), but some men breached the peace treaty and committed aggressions against peaceful believers in Mecca; God has given them the chance of the sacred four months of pilgrimage to return to peace: "But if they repent, and perform the prayers, and give zakat, then they are your brethren in faith. We detail the verses for a people who know." (9:11). This verse shows clearly that brethren in peace (i.e., Islam in terms of behavior) are the brethren in humanity, and when aggressive disbelievers cease their transgression and overtly adhere to peace and perform zakat and prayers, they will be brethren in peace and humanity; we are not to judge their faiths inside their hearts.         

Fourthly: brethren in peace and humanity within Quran-based rule in a given country and outside it:

1- Within Quran-based rule in a given country, all citizens are brethren, even those who do not know who their biological fathers are; we are to care for them as guardians, friends, and protectors: "Call them after their fathers; that is more equitable with God. But if you do not know their fathers, then your brethren in faith and your friends..." (33:5)

2- Since all believers are brethren in humanity and peace, countries who have conflicts/disputes must settle them in peace: "If two groups of believers fight each other, reconcile between them. But if one group aggresses against the other, fight the aggressing group until it complies with God's command. Once it has complied, reconcile between them with justice, and be equitable. God loves the equitable.The believers are brethren, so reconcile between your brethren, and remain conscious of God, so that you may receive mercy." (49:9-10).

3- Since all believers are brethren in humanity and peace, all reasons of enmity must be uprooted within peaceful Muslim societies: "O you who believe! No people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you slander one another, nor shall you insult one another with names. Evil is the return to wickedness after having attained faith. Whoever does not repent - these are the unjust ones. O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion-some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of God. God is Most Relenting, Most Merciful." (49:11-12).

4- This is the Quranic call for all humanity to adhere to peaceful coexistence: "O people! We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another. The best among you in the sight of God is the most righteous. God is All-Knowing, Well-Experienced." (49:13).   

Fifthly: being brethren in the religion of peace stems from the absolute religious freedom in Islam:

1- Within Quran-based rule in a given country, all citizens enjoy absolute religious freedom within peace, as they are peaceful brethren in humanity, leaving religious differences for God to judge on the Last Day. One of God's Holy Epithets is Peace, and He addresses all humanity directly in this verse: "If you disbelieve, God is Independent of you, yet He does not approve ingratitude on the part of His servants. And if you are thankful, He will approve that in you. No bearer of burden can bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return; and He will inform you of what you used to do. He is aware of what the hearts contain." (39:7). God has commanded Muhammad to declare that God the Omniscient is the Only Judge concerning religious differences: "Say, "Our God, Initiator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of all secrets and declarations. You will judge between your servants regarding what they had differed about."" (39:46). People are free to (dis)believe and Muhammad was never responsible for anyone: "Say: "O my people, work according to your ability; and so will I. Then you will know. Who will receive a humiliating torment, and on whom will fall a lasting torment." We sent down upon you the Book for the humankind in Truth. He who follows guidance does so for the good of his soul. And he who strays in error does so to its detriment. You are not their overseer." (39:39-41).   

2- Adherence to peace by polytheists who worship mausoleums and thus differ in faith in comparison to Quran-believing people makes God addresses them as (those who believe), as we read in the last verses descended in Yathreb within warning and preaching them to stop polytheistic acts of worship to apply the testimony of (There is no God but Allah) without contradicting it; as they adhered to peaceful behavior shortly before Muhammad's death but faith inside their hearts was little and they will bear the full responsibility for it if they do not repent: "O you who believe! Wine, gambling, mausoleums, and divination are abominations of Satan's doing. Avoid them, so that you may prosper. Satan wants to provoke strife and hatred among you through wine and gambling, and to prevent you from the remembrance of God, and from prayer. Will you not desist? Obey God and obey the messenger, and be cautious. If you turn away - know that the duty of Our Messenger is clear communication." (5:90-92).   

3- Within Quran-based rule in a given country, it is not the role of governments to guide people to Paradise; this is an individual responsibility. The role of the State is to protect all rights to serve citizens, especially absolute religious freedom and protecting houses of worship; self-defense fighting in Islam has been ordained to stop religious persecution and to protect all houses of worship: "Those who were unjustly evicted from their homes, merely for saying, "Our Lord is God." Were it not that God repels people by means of others: monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques - where the name of God is mentioned much-would have been demolished. God supports whoever supports Him. God is Strong and Mighty." (22:40).  

Lastly:

1- The best, greatest embodiment of brethren in peace and humanity is when all peaceful citizens in a given country respect one another within peaceful, safe, and secure environment despite difference in faiths and religions, as some enter into mosques, and others into churches and temples, while respecting one another's religious freedom as all citizens adhere to peace and security; this is real Islam/peace in terms of behavior.   

2- "Peace" is one of the Holy Epithets/Names of the Almighty Lord God, the Lord of the Worlds.