Actions that Promote
Brotherly Feelings

Islam desires that complaint and hatred must be replaced by love and well-wishing. This helps to cement relationships and in building a harmonious society.

The Prophet once observed: “O people, shake hands, this will obviate malice. Give others gifts. This will foster love among you and will help in putting an end to enmity.” (Muwatta Imam Malik 694)

Human society is no collection of inanimate objects. It is rather a grouping of sensitive individuals. When such people live together in unity, it promotes good human relations which is indispensable to humankind, in that it promotes brotherly feelings.

Greeting and shaking hands with one another create a good ambience in society. Being pleasant when meeting people and shaking hands are obligatory in the building of a harmonious society. After greeting when one shakes hands with others, it is but natural that feelings of alienation should end and be replaced with feelings of closeness.

Another way to generate brotherly feelings is to give gifts to one another, whether big or small. When this is done in all sincerity, it fosters extraordinary love in both the giver and the taker. Gifts bind both the giver and the taker in a noble human relationship.

It is desirable in Islam that negative inclinations should be suppressed and positive propensities be promoted. An atmosphere marred by complaint and hatred must be replaced by love thus promoting healthy relationships. Shaking hands plays a very important role in cementing relationship and in building a great society.