[Talib]

Assalaamu Alaykum

I have heard many different opinions about this question. Some have said that if they are not sunni or they are not shia...in regards to being the same as they are...then they are not. Some have said that if you are sunni that one should not take a shia as auliya...like the christians and jews. How is a new muslim like myself suppose to respond to this? If I see a muslimah and she is in need...I will not ask if she is sunni or shia or whatever! I would see a muslimah in distress. I learned Islam backwards beginning with sects and politics...so the underlying interpretation that I have is that if you are sunni...then shia are the misguided ones yet they are still your brothers and sisters in Islam and vice versa. Am I wrong?

[Salam]

The best example Our Beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) used to show love and kindness to everyone regardless of their belief. He used to help everyone. He was known as the most Trustworthy. It is in Islam that anyone with any faith can practice freely their religion. So, if all this is considered than ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Ofcourse brother you should help the sister because you never know that from your kindness when Allah can turn someones heart into turning to the right path! Also Don't forget that Allah Blesses you when you help others:

[safah]

Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said:
"Allah Ta'ala loves the help given to people in adversity."

The point mentioned in the above Hadeeth is that Allah Ta'ala loves the help given to people in adversity. A Hadeeth says that Allah Ta'ala will show no mercy to those who do not show mercy to other people.

Another Hadeeth reports Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam as saying, "He who helps the women in their distress, or the poor, is like one who is engaged in jihaad."The narrator says he thinks that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam also added, "Like one who offers nafl salaah the whole night without slackening, and he is like one who is always fasting without break."

brother it dosent matter who is in need of help,muslim or none muslim,,its our duty to help,who ever is in distress. even if we cant help atleast we can try.

[Sister-in-islam]

Aslam alaykam

First and foremost all Muslims are brothers and sisters in Islam. Now this can change depending on your thought. if we start going into the wrongs and rights then i doubt Muslims will ever unite. people need to put their differences aside when it comes to the way they practice and keep one thing in Mind 'lailaha illalallah Muhammedarasulullah', if that can be the sole thought then minor differences in practice should not come in the way.

As regards helping people then if you can help someone you should religion should never come into it this is more a moral issue and comes under humanity.

[YaMuslimah]

i think we are brothers and sisters in islam when we believe in Allah and Allah alone. one can have a "bad" brother or sister who refuses to follow Islam fully and thus go astray. but that would drop them from the definition of being a muslim. thus brothers and sisters are those who believe in Allah wholeheartedly. our duty towards humanity is different from our duty towards our brothers and sisters. our brothers and sisters are our UMMAH..they are next to kin. When one part of the ummah hurts it hurts the whole ummah. so the position of brothers and sisters in islam is very high. we are not the ones to judge who fits a better muslim or a right muslim. the one who testifies in the ONENESS of Allah and the MESSENGER (SAW) we are obligated to give him (her) salam and let Allah be the JUDGE of his/her character and correctness. Allah tala knows best :)