Episode 13 - As Though They Were a Solid Structure
Like a Strong Structure
Refresh your heart's life with the Quran so that the soul may find tranquility through faith. Recite it at all times and seek its blessings and clouds of forgiveness. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah, my brothers and sisters.
The Strong Structure in the Quran and Sunnah
Allah the Almighty says: "Indeed, Allah loves those who fight in His cause in a row as if they are a strong structure." Although this simile is about the position of fighting, Allah the Almighty loves for the Muslim community to be like this in all its conditions, as if they are a strong structure.
It was narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "The believer is like a strong structure, each part supporting the other." The Prophet interlaced his fingers as an illustrative means.
Analysis of the Structure Simile
This simile is beautiful, for a structure is not strong unless two conditions are met:
- The strength of the bricks (meaning the building blocks).
- The strength of the mortar (meaning the material that binds the bricks together).
No visiting, no communication, no mutual support, nor cooperation. Such a society resembles a wall whose bricks are made of iron or copper, but the material that binds the bricks together is weak. A wall like this is easy to demolish despite the strength of its bricks, and so is a society with weak bonds.
On the other hand, the Muslim society may have strong bonds, with people visiting each other, communicating, and showing affection, but there is an intellectual void and weakness in knowledge. This society resembles a wall with strong mortar (the binding material of the bricks), but the bricks themselves are weak, made of cardboard that is empty inside. A wall like this is easy to penetrate.
Applying the Concept to Aspects of Life
What applies to the ranks in battle and to society also applies to the family. Family members may be good in their faith, but their relationships are dry, and this does not produce a strong, cohesive family.
It also applies to the company, the group, and the institution. If Muslims want Allah to look at them with satisfaction in all of this, they must be like a strong structure.
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah. Translation: Nancy Qanqur