Muslim unity
Mankind was one nation,
believing in Tawheed, then they differed. Some of
them believed and some disbelieved. So Allaah sent
the Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, so
whoever believes will enter Paradise and whoever
disbelieves will enter Hell. The conflict is still
going on between belief and disbelief, truth and
falsehood, and will continue until Allaah inherits
the earth and everyone on it.
Islam is the religion for all of
mankind, and Allaah has commanded us to convey it
to all people. This can only be achieved if we are
strong, and strength is based on faith and unity.
Hence Allaah has commanded all the believers to
adhere to His religion and to be united, and not
to be divided. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“And hold fast, all of you
together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur’aan),
and be not divided among yourselves
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:103]
Division, differences and disputes
are the cause of the ummah’s defeat, as Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And obey Allaah and His Messenger,
and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose
courage and your strength departs, and be patient.
Surely, Allaah is with those who are As-Saabiroon
(the patient)”
[al-Anfaal 8:46]
Unity and coming together are among
the basic principles of Islam, and there are many
aspects of unity in Islam, such as One Lord, one
Book, one Prophet, one religion, one qiblah, one
ummah.
In order to achieve the unity of
the ummah, Islam urges us to adhere to the jamaa’ah
(the group which follows the Qur’aan and Sunnah).
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) explained that the hand of Allaah is with
the jamaa’ah, and that whoever deviates from
that will be in Hell. Allaah has enjoined coming
together for all acts of worship in order to achieve
this unity. Allaah addresses the ummah as one group
in all rulings to indicate that they are one ummah,
like one body. There is no difference between them;
the commands and prohibitions are addressed to all.
In the context of worship, Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Worship Allaah and join none
with Him (in worship)
[al-Nisaa’ 4:36]
And He enjoins them all to establish
regular prayer:
“Guard strictly (five obligatory)
As-Salawaat (the prayers) especially the middle
Salaah (i.e. the best prayer - ‘Asr). And
stand before Allaah with obedience”
[al-Baqarah 2:238]
Concerning zakaah, Allaah commands
them all, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah),
and give Zakaah”
[al-Baqarah 2:43]
Concerning fasting, He says (interpretation
of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Observing
As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it
was prescribed for those before you, that you may
become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)”
[al-Baqarah 2:183]
Concerning Hajj, Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
“And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah)
to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind
owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses
(for one’s conveyance, provision and residence)”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]
Concerning jihaad, Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning):
“And strive hard in Allaah’s
Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and
with all your efforts that His Name should be superior)”[al-Hajj
22:78]
Islam regards all people as equal
before the laws of Allaah. Black and white, Arab
and non-Arab, male and female, rich and poor –
Islam brings them all together and addresses its
commands and prohibitions to them all. So whoever
obeys Allaah and His Messenger will enter Paradise
and whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger will
enter Hell, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Whosoever does righteous
good deed, it is for (the benefit of) his ownself;
and whosoever does evil, it is against his ownself.
And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves”
[Fussilat 41:46]
From Usool al-Deen al-Islami by
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem al-Tuwayjri (www.islam-qa.com)
