Building a united ummah is the solution to all our problems.
With the name of Allah, most Beneficial ever Merciful.
We, the Muslims of today are witnessing our fellow Muslims being massacred on a daily basis in wars in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan etc. Most of these wars cannot be justified at all and even with us protesting it world wide these wars continue unabated. Judging from the Muslim reaction we blame America and its allies for our woes.
Have we stopped to ponder that perhaps the fault lies with us?
As Muslims, we are divided along geographical, political, sectarian and organizational lines. In Iraq it is the Sunnis, Shias and Kurds – in the Palestine struggle it is Hamas, Fatha and a list of others. Under such circumstances all the enemy has to do is to ignite the flames between the factions and watch as the factions wipe each other out. Have we not seen this infighting happening time and time again?
Unity was so important to the Prophet (SAW) that it was the first thing that he set out to achieve, The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam said: “I have been sent to join ties of relationships (with kindness and affection), to break the idols and to proclaim the oneness of Allah.” Muslim 1812
It was not just lip service with him but it is a historical fact that he welded not just the warring Arab tribes but Muslims of all nationalities into a single dynamic force of good that became a superpower for many years.
It is important to note that in this hadith the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam has stressed unity even before the great “Kalima of Tauhid.” This means that we must be united not just as Muslims but as humanity seeking peace and goodwill as a whole.
He himself entered into treaties with other faiths around him. This is just not a one off hadith. The Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam observed: “You shall not enter paradise so long as you do not affirm belief in all those things which are the articles of faith and you will not believe so long as you do not love one another. Muslim 96. Abu Dawud 5174.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported yet another hadith which confirms that loving one another which ultimately results in unity is a priority in Islam. This hadith starts with an oath implying the seriousness of it: “By Him in whose hand my soul is, you will not enter paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Should I not guide you to that which will cause you to love one another: Spread out salutation among you.” Abu Dawud 5174.
Reflect on our individual situations. The statistics show that people are no longer getting along with one another at grass root levels and if we cannot achieve this then how are we to get along on a communal basis. The divorce rates are steadily increasing, newly weds cannot live with parents even if there is plenty of room for them, children are sending their parents off to old age homes and brothers and sisters fight over inheritance, neighbors are building higher boundary walls, mosques are being built next to each other, religious leaders are slandering one another etc.
“The strength of a chain lies in its weakest link.” Each one of us is a link to a chain that forms the Muslim Ummah and the strength of this ummah lies in the strength of each one of us. If each one of us strives to better him or herself, we could once again become a strong Muslim ummah that would bring peace and love to our ailing world.
So! How do we develop this love:
The Prophet Sallallahu Allaihi wasallam has stated: “Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i.e. give currency, to the practice of paying salutations to one another by saying As salaamu alaikum.” Muslim 96
The Apostle of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam) declared: Shake hands one with another. The spite of the heart will vanish. Send presents to one another and you will be friends, Enmity will disappear. Muwatta 1622.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported the Apostle of Allah (SAW) as saying: “There are five qualities which a Muslim should display to his brother:
1) Return of salutation.
2) Responses to the one who sneezes.
3) Acceptance of an invitation.
4) Paying sick visits.
5) And accompanying the funeral.” Abu Dawud 5012.
What is also sad is that we even divided in neighboring Islamic organizations and mosques. The most important factor that’s influencing this disunity on every level is materialism. Our Islamic organizations are turned into buisnesses competing with each other. There is no serving our Creator left because, everyone, even the imaam, does Islamic work for money, name and fame. End.
Peace and Blessings be upon Muhammad Salallahu Alayhe Wasallam.
Published by Anjuman e Waris e Mohammedi 2009. Author: Mohammed Hassan Gaffoor (WhatsApp +27849101486)