UNITY AMONG MUSLIMS

✦ UNITY AMONG MUSLIMS ✦

As we all know, Muslims are a very divided people. We find all the excuses in the world to create division amongst ourselves. We divide ourselves on according to race, sect, our pre-Islamic cultures, political opinions, ancestry and even on the imams we follow! And none of these excuses for separation are considered valid by Allah, and therefore we should not consider them valid either.

▶ The Quranic Reality

The Quran reminds us that, originally, humankind was one Ummah, but this unity was broken by various differences which the human beings created among themselves.

First of all, merely labeling oneself as one kind of Muslim or another is Haram as it is division in the most direct sense. Secondly, look up the period the Islam was revealed and then look up the period that your sect of the religion was born. After finding that they are not equal, dont even dare to claim that your sect is true Islam.

☛ Allah Almighty Says in Holy Quran: "O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." [Surah Al Hujurat 49:13].

A Muslim is defined as one who follows the religion of Allah - Islam. Divisions exist to separate differences. If we divide ourselves, it is due either to some worldly difference between us or a difference in faith as mentioned, neither is justifiable. A deliberate alteration of faith does not create a sect of Islam, it creates a distinct faith which the followers may claim to be a sect of Islam.

☛ Allah Almighty Says in Holy Quran: "And mankind was not but one community united in religion, but then they differed. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord, it would have been judged between them immediately concerning that over which they differ." [Surah Yunus 10:19].

It emphasizes the fact that the main purpose of sending Allah Almighty message through various Messengers is to restore back the balance and unity of humankind which once existed in the earliest period of human history:

☛ Allah Almighty Says in Holy Quran: "Mankind was of one religion before their deviation; then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed...." [Surah Al Baqarah 2:213].

But the followers of the Prophets (Peace upon all of them) not only created differences among the Prophets but they also created divisions among themselves within the following of a single Prophet. As other people, we, the followers of Prophet Mohammad (ﷺ) have also created divisions among ourselves. We have done this in spite of the very clear order of Allah Almighty to hold on to His rope together in unity and not be divided among ourselves , we read in the Quran:

“ And hold firmly to the rope of Allah, all of you, and do not be separated….” [Surah Ali' 'Imran 3:103].

As a matter of fact, we mostly follow the illusions built by our emotions, read what Allah Almighty Says in Holy Quran: “ Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?” [Surah Al Furqan 24:53]. The ways of our ancestors: "And when it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has revealed," they say, "Rather, we will follow that which we found our fathers doing." Even though their fathers understood nothing, nor were they guided?" [Surah Al Baqarah 2:170].

This is because whenever we are confronted with the Quranic verses which clearly forbid differences and divisions among Muslims, we find a reply that we are not divided but we only have several schools of thought. In reality though, these are not "schools of thought" but are "schools of action." Only a few examples will suffice to support this argument: differences in what is forbidden and what is allowed by various schools as far as food is concerned; differences in forms of prayer; differences related to marriage and divorce etc.

Everyone will agree that these differences whether major or minor are not just in thought but very much in action also. Majority of Muslims, though, likes to believe in ignoring these religious differences and divisions and carry on with their lives. However, our religious scholars are more interested in maintaining these differences by creating a sense of virtual unity that hides their sectarian differences. They prefer not to work for real unity because it exposes their differences. In fact, they are more interested in practicing virtual Islam rather than the real Islam our Prophet (ﷺ) practiced. This makes everyone feel satisfied…, more or less.

A good Muslim is one who is without denomination, faction, or any other special loyalty. The prophet (ﷺ), in his final speech to the whole Ummah, said that between Muslims, there are no races or tribes. We have divided the Ummah which our Nabi tried so hard to keep together. Allah warns us, in the following verse: “And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment.” [Surah Ali' 'Imran 3:105].

How can a non-Muslim be attracted to Islam knowing that there are so many versions of it, and if a non-Muslim decides to embrace Islam, wouldn't his/her joining of a sect ruin such a beautiful decision? During the time of our beloved prophet, Muslims called themselves just that, Muslims.

☛In Hadith: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Said: "The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, and fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever." [Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6528].

As a final reminder, We will introduce another quote from the Holy Quran that again points to the fact that unity among Muslims is an indispensable, fundamental part of Islam: “Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.” [Surah Al Anbya 21:92].

▶ May Allah Almighty Guide & Unite us... Ameen!!!