Attacking A Muslim

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Verbally abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (disobedience) and fighting him is Kufr.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]

What do I do? That is the question each one of us should ask himself or herself? How do I behave with my children? How do I behave with my spouse? How do I behave with my parents? How do I behave with my other relatives? How do I behave with my servants? How do I behave with my colleagues and juniors? How do I behave with the Muslims I meet in the Masjid? How do I behave with my neighbours?

How do I behave with Muslims when they annoy me? That’s when my Islam is tested. It’s no big deal to be nice when others are nice. Forbearance is required when an injustice is done. How do I respond when I am accused unjustly? Do I embark on a barrage of verbal abuse and backbite about the offenders to all and sundry? How do I respond when my ego is hurt and my feelings are trampled over? Do I take my case to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) and trust in His justice, whether it comes sooner or later, or do I hold a public court?

Muslims should adopt the practices that foster love amongst them such as greeting each other, helping each other, standing closely to each other in congregational prayers, straightening their rows in prayers, and the like. On the other hand, they should avoid the characteristics that may sow disagreement or lead to enmity, such as humiliating someone, acting high handedly, being unjust, using hurtful words, making fun of people, abusing, backbiting, and like practices.

Attacking a Muslim is outside the pale of Islam.