Preferring Brotherhood to Worldly Gain

Neither of you should value any worldly possession above his brother, becoming stingy toward him on its account, turning away from him because of it, or competing with him for it. Whichever of you is granted abundance in worldly means should share it with his brother rather than keep it to himself. He should be as eager to increase his brother’s wealth as he is to increase his own.

Mutual Affection and Maintaining Ties

Openly demonstrate mutual support, maintain ties, show affection, and aid one another until you become known for doing so. By this, you will please your Lord and enrage your enemy.

Do Not Sever Relations, Turn Your Backs on One Another, or Envy One Another

Beware of rivalry, severing ties, turning your backs on one another, envy, and obeying women in any of these matters. Such conduct corrupts your religion and worldly life, diminishes your standing, lowers your rank, makes you contemptible in the eyes of your enemy, and diminishes your stature in the eyes of your friend.

Do Not Nullify Your Charitable Deeds with Reminders and Hurtful Words

If either of you extends a favor, an act of generosity, or an effort to maintain ties with his brother, he should neither expect it to be reciprocated nor mention what he has done. Doing so breeds resentment, causes mutual hatred, spoils the kindness, belittles what is great, and betrays an odious, base, and ignoble spirit.

Do Not Repay Offense with Offense

If either of you slips and fails to follow my counsel concerning kindness toward his brother and consideration for him, let the other remedy this by holding fast to my counsel, bearing patiently with his brother, treating him gently, and refraining from repaying his coldness in kind or matching his ill treatment,