and hatred. Rather, they should be like brothers who cooperate in righteousness and piety, as Allah Most High says:

“Cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”

None of them may exact a pledge from anyone to agree with everything he wants, to befriend whomever he befriends, and to oppose whomever he opposes. Whoever does this is like Genghis Khan and others of his kind, who regard those who agree with them as friends and allies, and those who disagree with them as enemies and aggressors. Rather, they and their followers are bound by the covenant of Allah and His Messenger: to obey Allah and His Messenger, to do what Allah and His Messenger have commanded, to regard as forbidden what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and to respect teachers’ rights as Allah and His Messenger have commanded.

If someone’s master is wronged, he should support him. If his master is committing injustice, he must not assist him in it; rather, he should prevent him from doing so. As authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he said:

“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, I can help him when he is oppressed, but how can I help him when he is an oppressor?” He replied, “Prevent him from committing injustice; that is how you help him.”

If a dispute or quarrel arises between two teachers, two students, or a teacher and a student, no one may assist either party until he knows where the truth lies. He must not lend support out of ignorance or personal inclination. Rather, he should examine the matter, and once the truth becomes clear to him, support the party in the right against the party in the wrong, whether the one in the right belongs to his own circle or someone else’s, and whether the one in the wrong belongs to his own circle or someone else’s. The aim must be to worship Allah alone, obey His Messenger, follow the truth, and uphold justice. Allah Most High says:

“O you who