Cooperation; An Islamic Prospective

The individual is, without doubt, a part of society and an essential aspect of the Islamic way of life.

Allah says: “You began to say: Whence is this? Say: It is from yourselves.” [Sûrah Âl `Imrân: 165]

Allah also tells us: “Truly, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” [Sûrah al-Anfâl: 53]
The meaning of individual responsibility is embodied in the teachings of the Qur’ân and Islamic thought. It is the essential building block of society. A building is made of many individual bricks.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The believers with respect to one another are like a building, each one lending support to the whole.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim]

The Muslims need one another with regard to both worldly and religious affairs, hence cooperation among Muslims is something important that Allah has enjoined and He has made cooperation the basis for religious and worldly well being. The Muslims – if they achieve this cooperation – are described as a strong, integrated structure, and as a single body. All of that confirms that cooperation and mutual support among them is something essential. That includes many aspects in the lives of Muslims, which are summed up in the words birr (righteousness) and taqwa (piety) , as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment” [al-Maa’idah 5:2]. These are two words that sum up all the attributes of goodness, such as belief, conduct, rulings and so on.