I recently spent some time in an area where I felt a serious lack of brotherhood, Ukhuwwah. Being in such an environment for quite some time made me realize something. Many of the aspects of our Deen that are results of strong Iman are themselves the means of cultivating our Iman! For instance, punctuality with Salah is a byproduct of Iman. However commitment to Salah is also a means of cultivating and increasing Iman.

Brotherhood/Sisterhood is similar. We all know that brotherhood and unity is a result of Iman, but what we fail to realize is that an environment of strong brotherhood and solid unity is nurturing to ones Iman. Therefore being in an environment seriously lacking in Ukhuwwah for a prolonged period of time can be detrimental and draining on ones Iman. It’s in such a situation that things like Husn-ad-Dhan start to become very challenging, SubhanAllah.

In the spirit of brotherhood I wanted to mention a few people who have really come through this summer as I travel across the country. Brothers Umer Khan, Omar Bakhrani, Shad Ali and of course Muhammad Mana were amazing during my stay in SoCal. Shaykh Nomaan Baig and the rest of the crew at the Institute of Knowledge are my classmates, brothers, and some of the classiest people I know mashaAllah. Brother Omar Sharieff and his family made Maryland feel like home. I also got to meet some amazing brothers in Maryland; Harun, Harris, and Farhad. My stay in NYC was a little more challenging but there were a few brothers who went out of their way to make my stay pleasant. Brothers Abdullah and Ubaidullah drove over from Long Island to hang out. Hafidh Nihal Khan of NJ was there every other day mashaAllah and Br Umer Farooq was instrumental in making the course happen. A very special thanks to the Khan family in SoCal and the Begawala family in NY for hosting me. Y’all should come up under the definition of hospitality in the dictionary. May Allah reward y’all abundantly.