The believers are like a single man; if his eye is affected he is affected, and if his head is affected he is all affected.
Markscheme Answers:
This Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh) is teaching Muslims about community relations and how they should feel and behave towards other fellow Muslims. Just as the head is the command centre and important to humans so is brotherhood to Muslims. The Qur’an also gives this all important teaching of unity to Muslims in many Suras e.g. Al Anfal, 8:46 and Al Hujurat, 49:10. Therefore Muslims should consider sacred another Muslim’s blood, property and honour and should defend it.
This Hadith teaches Muslims about brotherhood, and community relations. The importance of brotherhood should be brought out in the answer as it is highlighted in the Hadith with the comparison to the human body. Candidates could develop the teaching given in this Hadith by giving quotes from the Qur’an e.g. Al Imran, 3:103, which support the concept of brotherhood.
Islam joins true believers in brotherhood by their common faith. This hadith focusses on how a true believer should feel the pain and suffering of their brothers/sisters and come to their aid. The hadith draws comparisons to the human body and teaches believers that just as the head is the command centre and thus vital to humans brotherhood is essential to all believers.
Brotherhood is the essence of Islam and at every stage Muslims are told by God and his Prophet (pbuh) to show care and concern for all in the community. The teaching of this hadith also promotes the concept of looking after the needs of the vulnerable in society and draws comparisons by saying that just as the head is the command centre of the human body and thus vital to humans so too is brotherhood vital to Islam
The hadith gives us the idea of fraternity and equality. It stresses upon us that if a part of the body or an eye is sore, the whole body feels the pain and is greatly affected. “One Muslim is like a building brick to the other, one part strengthens the other”. The Muslim Ummah must be helpful to one another in the time of pain, needs & worries. If any Muslim has some problem the other Muslims shall help him to solve his problem. Where there is pain in head of a Muslim another Muslim feels fever in the whole body, he is not relaxed likewise he shall be uncomfortable when any other muslim in the Ummah feels pain and worry.
The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers (Al Hujurat, 49:10)
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided. (Al Imran, 3:103)
And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (Al Anfal, 8:46)
<aside> 📝 Islam joins true believers in brotherhood by their common faith. Brotherhood is the essence of Islam and at every stage Muslims are told by God and his Prophet (pbuh) to show care and concern for all in the community. By drawing comparisons to the human body, the hadith teaches believers that just as the head is vital for humans, so is brotherhood to Muslims. The Qur’an also gives this all important teaching of unity to Muslims in many Suras, like "The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers" (Al Hujurat, 49:10) and "Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided." (Al Imran, 3:103).
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Markscheme Answers:
Being aware of the sufferings of others around them and by trying to alleviate their suffering is how Muslims can practice this Hadith. Candidates can give examples from the Prophet’s time of how the Ansars helped their fellow believers who had come to Madina leaving everything they had back in Makka or can give present day examples of how it is imperative that Muslims be aware of the suffering of their fellow Muslims in countries like Syria and Myanmar or Kashmir and try to aid them.
This Hadith can be put into action by Muslims by them being aware of the sufferings of others around them. Examples from the Prophet’s time of brotherhood or present day should be cited in order to give development to the answer. Candidates could say that the best example of brotherhood was one shown by the Ansars to the immigrants from Makka.
The suffering of a Muslim at all levels, in the family, in the community, in the country or even in the world should be felt by all other Muslims because Islam has joined all Muslims in brotherhood. Muslims should do everything in their power to aid their Muslim brothers at national and international level e.g. donating generously to the Syrian refugees, adopting an orphan child, giving asylum to their brothers from war torn countries is the responsibility of all Muslims. Examples of how by actions at local and international levels Muslim can practise the teaching of this Hadith will indicate a higher level of response
The teaching of the hadith can be practiced by Muslims always being ready to help those in need and by looking out for the interests of their Muslim brothers and sisters and helping them however they can, morally, physically, financially etc. wherever they may be. Donating funds to the refugees in the war torn Muslim countries could be an example of how Muslims can help other Muslims.