Unity is one of the basic tenets of Islam, but unfortunately, nowadays we have to talk about the need for unity in the Islamic world, since unity is totally absent. In fact, we as Muslims, tend to have a good understanding and bonding with almost everyone else, except our own Muslim brothers and sisters.
Of course, the main cause of disunity in the Muslim Ummah today is ignorance. Owing to our ignorance, we are drifting away from the Right Path of Quran, Hadith and Sunnah, and falling prey to silly notions of pseudo-nationalism and other man-made concepts.
And how does this lack of unity in the Islamic world affect us? Well, our enemies simply take advantage of our disunity, and they attack and kill our brothers and sisters, whereas we just sit and watch. Our fellow Muslims are abused and wronged, and we just make sure that our “country” is safe. It is sad to see that everyone nowadays thinks in terms of “countries”, not Ummah. Syria, Iraq, Palestine, everywhere — we are more attached to borders than brotherhood.
It is really very sad to see that more and more Muslim countries keep suffering due to foreign atrocities, and majority of the Muslims just do not care. When will we wake up and support each other, or at least support and guide those who wish to try?
I’ll end my thoughts here, and leave the readers with verses from the Quran, and Hadith, to remind ourselves of the importance of unity in the Islamic world.
Quranic Verses
The Quran 03:103 (Surah al-Imran)
And hold fast, all together, by the Rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.
The Quran 08:46 (Surah al-Anfal)
Obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not quarrel among yourselves lest you lose heart and your momentum disappear. And be steadfast. Allah is with the steadfast.
The Quran 06:159 (al-An’am)
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.
Ahadith
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Number 386
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA):
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “Whoever prays like us and faces our Qiblah and eats our slaughtered animals is a Muslim and is under Allah’s and His Apostle’s protection. So do not betray Allah by betraying those who are in His protection.”
Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Number 6258
Nouman bin Bashir (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying:
The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever.
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 92
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. and do not look for the others’ faults, and do not spy on one another, and do not indulge in Najsh, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not hate one another, and do not desert (stop talking to) one another. And O Allah’s worshipers! Be brothers!”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 73, Number 160
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA):
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously; and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should unite the bond of kinship (ie. keep good relations with his kith and kin); and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should talk what is good or keep quiet.”
It is, therefore, obvious that unity in the Islamic world is essential, and one Muslim cannot be happy unless his/her fellow Muslims are happy.
