The recent spate of Muslim on Muslim violence paints a chilling picture of enraged brothers brandishing guns against each other and against anyone who dares to even sniff at their macho image. They are the new generation of aristocratic hoodlums. Their personal integrity is heightened by the volume of sound decibels, their exquisite cars reflect their family fortunes and their designer clothes reflect their frivolous mindset. Their aggressive disposition is further enhanced by the blind support of enraged parents who are ensnared into otherwise petty squabbles.

Drawing Arms against Each Other
Abu Bakra RA narrates that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "When two Muslims confront each other with their weapons, (and consequently one is killed) then the murderer and the murdered are both in Hell fire." I asked: "O Rasûlullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam the murderer’s abode (is self-explanatory), but what is the fault of the murdered?" Rasûlullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam replied: "He was equally anxious to murder his Muslim brother."

Impact on Society
The Noble Qur’an states: "He who murders a being, (for reasons other than) retaliation or for spreading corruption and mischief on earth, it would be as if he murdered all of humankind, and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of all of humankind."

Murder and bloodshed generate imponderable fear, it undermines the sanctity of life, and it sows the seeds of friction, stress, hatred and slander. It undermines the sanctity of life, property and stability. It fuels the flames of vengeance and retaliation. Violence begets violence! It leads to a murky underworld that ultimately impacts on every member of a society.

Animosity
Sporadic incidents of wanton murder and aggressive behaviour are partly due to pride and hatred. Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "BE CAREFUL OF ANIMOSITY, FOR IT (HAS THE PROPENSITY) TO DESTROY."

Bigotry
Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "He who calls towards bigotry is not of us, he who fights because of bigotry is not of us, he who dies for the cause of bigotry is not of us." It does not behoove a Muslim to defend or fight a people, simply because of family ties or ethnic origins. Muslims need to guard against emotional and violent outbursts that arise from blind allegiance to tribal and ancestral origins.

THE HALLMARK OF A BELIEVER IS ABSTINENCE FROM INDULGING IN MAJOR SINS. MURDER IS INCOMPATIBLE TO FAITH AS IS DARKNESS TO LIGHT ONE OF THE DIRECTIVES OF NABI SALLALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM AT THE FAREWELL HAJJ WAS: "REGARD THE LIFE AND PROPERTY OF EVERY MUSLIM TO BE A SACRED TRUST… HURT NO ONE SO THAT NO ONE HURTS YOU. REMEMBER THAT YOU WILL INDEED MEET YOUR LORD, WHO WILL CALL YOU TO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR DEEDS…"

May Allah Ta’aala protect us and our children from the insidious scourge of our very own brothers. Ameen