It is often said that blood runs thicker than water… This means that the bond of family and loyalty to one’s kith and kin is stronger than any other bond and loyalty.

But this is NOT true. The truth is that the absolute strongest bond of loyalty and faithfulness is that of Islam – provided a person possesses true imaan. This was proven, time and again, by those individuals who possessed the greatest imaan in this Ummah – the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

In the Quraan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says in regard to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “You will not find those who believe in Allah and in the Hereafter having friendship (and love) with those who oppose Allah and His Rasul, even though they may be their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their family (relatives)…” (Surah Mujaadalah v22)

In this verse, we are taught that a true believer should never have any affinity, affection, love or liking for the disbelievers as they are the enemies of Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Islam. Such was the imaan of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and their loyalty to Allah Ta‘ala that even if the enemy was their own father, brother or relative, they severed loyalty to him and instead showed their loyalty to Islam.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has mentioned in the hadeeth that among the most virtuous qualities of imaan are that a person loves for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala, and also hates for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala. (Musnad Ahmad #22130)

The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) undoubtedly possessed these qualities – of their likes and dislikes, and love and hatred, all being guided and governed by Islam and the sharee‘ah – and this was clear testament to the lofty level of their imaan.

It is reported that on the occasion of Badr, the son of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Sayyiduna Abdur Rahmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was fighting on the side of the disbelievers as he had not yet accepted Islam. After accepting Islam, he one day said to his father, “On the day of Badr, you came before me (i.e. you were within striking distance of my sword), yet I turned away from you and did not kill you (as you are my father).” Hearing this, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) spontaneously responded, “If you had come before me, I would not have turned away from you (i.e. I would have killed you as you were fighting against Islam).” (Taareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 30, pg. 127)

From the above, we understand that a Muslim’s loyalty and faithfulness is always governed by Islam and the sharee‘ah. A Muslim will only show loyalty, love, and affection to those whom the sharee‘ah has sanctioned and approved, and a Muslim will always refrain from showing any type of affection or loyalty to the disbelievers and enemies of Islam.

In every department of our life and lifestyle, such as speech, dressing, etc. – we must remain loyal and faithful to Islam and the sunnah. Let it be that at all times, we only radiate Islam and the sunnah, not the values, customs and ways of the enemies of Islam.

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all with true loyalty to Islam, aameen.