Q: Please elaborate on the Hadith of fighting with a fellow Muslim and the punishment of doing so, and if a person has gotten caught up in this, then how can he clear himself from this sin.
A: The Hadith explains that swearing a Muslim is a major sin, and getting involved in physical fights with him is an act of disbelief.
There are different explanations given by the Muhadditheen (commentators of Hadith) for this Hadith. Below are some of the explanations.
1) The first explanation is that being "an act of disbelief" refers to where one is displeased with the Islam of another person, and engages in a physical fight because of his Islam. Since he is displeased with him being a Muslim and fights with him because of his Islam, this act will cause him to come out of the fold of Islam.
2) The second explanation is that being "an act of disbelief" refers to this being an extremely serious sin that brings one close to the borders of kufr, though one does not become a kaafir through it.
3) The third explanation is that the statement "an act of disbelief" mentioned in this Hadith refers to an act which the kuffaar do, and it is not at all right and befitting for a Muslim to act like the kuffaar.
4) Some commentators of Hadith translate this statement as "getting involved in physical fights with him (your brother) is an act of ingratitude".
In other words, a Muslim is supposed to treat his brother with love and kindness for the goodness he receives from his brother. Each mu'min towards another mu'min is a blessing on account of the fact that each Muslim makes dua for all the Muslims.
Hence, when one is benefiting from his brother and receiving the mercy of Allah Ta'ala because of him, then he should reciprocate by showing him love, kindness and compassion and he should not fight with him.
Through fighting with him, he has shown great ingratitude for this favour of Allah Ta'ala which he receives through his brother, and thus, he becomes deprived of the mercy of Allah Ta'ala.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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