The former is commanded, whereas the latter is forbidden, for the believers are brothers. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in an authentic hadith:

“Do not sever ties with one another, turn your backs on one another, hate one another, or envy one another. Be brothers, O servants of Allah. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim.”

He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said in a hadith recorded in the Sunan collections:

“Shall I tell you of something higher in rank than prayer, fasting, charity, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong?” They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Reconciling people, for discord between people is the razor. I do not mean that it shaves off hair; rather, it shaves away religion.”

He also said in an authentic hadith:

“The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like a single body: when one limb suffers, the rest of the body responds with fever and sleeplessness.”

This is because shunning falls under the category of penalties prescribed by Islamic law, and is thus of the same nature as jihad in Allah’s cause. It is practised so that Allah’s word may be supreme and religion may be devoted entirely to Allah. A believer must show enmity for Allah’s sake and loyalty for Allah’s sake. If someone is a believer, he must remain loyal to him even if that person wrongs him, for wrongdoing does not sever the bond of loyalty based on faith. Allah Most High says:

“If two groups of believers fight one another, make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the transgressing group until it returns to Allah’s command. If it returns, then make peace between them with justice and act equitably. Indeed, Allah loves those who act equitably.”

“The believers are but brothers.”

He thus declared them brothers