Sibling Rivalry by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) Sibling Rivalry is a common scenario in almost every

home. Arguments and fights are everyday occurrences amongst brothers and sisters to the extent that argumen ts often lead to physical fighting. This kind of response is very much against the disposition of a noble person, le t alone a Muslim. We need to learn to implement the noble character of Rasulullah (sallallahu alai hi wasallam) in our dealings with all including siblings. It must not be that we give as good as we get ; rather we overlook, forgive and show to them, beautiful, dignified conduct. If we have knowledge of Deen, then this is the setting which tests our practical expression of that ilm (knowledge) and akhlaaq (character). We either give into nafs and Shaytaan and show our brothers, sisters and parents that we are like c ats and dogs fighting and are closer to being animals than humans, or we rise ab ove the indiscretions of our family members, adopting noble character and speech , and practicing on the ayat: The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with that which is better (to be patient, forgive, etc.), then verily, he between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. [Surah Fussilaat 41: 34] Rasulullah(sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had set a beautiful and perfect precedent in teaching and moulding his two grandsons, Hasan and Husain(radiyallahu anhum) . Rasulullah(sallallahu alaihi wasallam)taught them to respect and love each other . He taught them that the younger of them should serve the elder, due to the eld er sibling deserving respect. Khidmat (serving) naturally creates muhabbat(love) and how perfect a prescription this is for all brothers and sisters, in so far a s creating a peaceful and happy environment at home. This is why we find in the lives of these two grandsons, that Hazrat Husain (radiyallahu anhu) used to resp ect Hazrat Hasan(radiyallahu anhu) and even carry out his requests willingly. Of course, in the light of the above, the older brother or sister should not thi nk that he or she can just demand, dictate and nag. If we are older, we have a r esponsibility to set an example, worthy of our siblings to follow. There has to be courtesy, mercy, compassion and love for the younger siblings.A balance needs to be created where there is humility on both sides.SayyidinaHasan(radiyallahu anhu) showed great love and compassion for Sayyidina Husain (radiyallahu anhu). If either one has to advise the other with regard to something for example, food , clothing, room, studies, salaah, etc. then it should be said once only and pol itely. Thereafter, leave it to the parents or teachers to solve the problem. If every sibling were to emulate the grandsons of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), then there would be no bickering, quarreling and fighting. Home will be a haven and all parents will be at peace with no complaints against their chi ldren. May Allah Ta ala grant us all the understanding and the taufeeq of practicing.