Muslim Unity (Ittihad) is a term that refers to establishing good and peaceful relations among the various Islamic denominations. The primary objective of Muslim Unity or Islamic Unity is to unite all Muslims around the world. Although some divisions such as Sunni/Shia exist among Muslims, according to the proponents of Muslim Unity these divisions are negligible and Muslims from different countries should forge closer ties with each other. With all the differences Muslims were united and very faithful to their religion. Muslims were the superpower of the world. Muslims were the leaders in setting up the standards for the rest of the world.
It's become cliché to say that Muslims have reduced the religion Islam to rituals and forgotten other important tenets. While it is crucial to practice the main pillars of Islam, for instance, we cannot ignore other basic aspects of the faith that emphasize brotherhoodand sisterhood.
Learn tolerance towards other points of view: Isn't it interesting that we can attend classes at college or speak with colleagues from work and discuss issues while being willing to disagree with them? But the minute some of us step into a mosque or Muslim community function, all that tolerance seems to go out the window.
Islam is very broad and wide, contrary to popular belief, and you can find a range of scholarly views on many different issues as diverse. If our scholars from the past and present have shown such tolerance towards differing views on various issues, who are we, the average Muslim, who do not have that level of knowledge, to express intolerance for another point of view? The difference of opinion, which Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) called "Ikhtilafo Ummati Rahmah" meaning "The intellectual difference of opinion in my Ummah is a blessing."
Learn to criticize without hurting: The way some Muslims criticize each other, you'd think they were talking to an Islam-basher instead of a fellow brother or sister. This type of ignorant behavior is a sure way to create anger, hurt and dissension. We must learn the Adab (etiquette) of criticism, whether it is towards individual Muslims or our leaders. Knowing and implementing this will not only help solve problems in a practical manner, but it will also lead to a greater sense of brotherhood and sisterhood in the community.
If you feel that your criticism of someone in the past was rude or hurtful, please go back and apologize to them. Before you do that, pray for that brother or sister, since Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) has said that Duaincreases love between people.
Avoid taking a strong position on weak points: There is what's called a "Fiqh of priorities" and this essentially means that there are some aspects of Islam that are more important than others. For instance, it's more important to emphasize that Muslims establish prayer than whether or not there should be a curtain between men and women in mosques.
Dr. Allama Mohammed Iqbal describe the reality in the following Urdu couplet:
Masjid To Banadi Shab Bhar Mein Imaan Ki Hararat Walon Ne
Man Apna Purana Papi Hai Barson Mein Namazi Ban Na Saka
Do not call anyone a Kafir, Mushrik or Bid'atee: This horrible phenomenon of calling fellow believers Kafir, Mushrik or Bid'atee must end immediately, if we want to create a climate that is conducive to Muslim Unity. Calling Kafir is a sure way to isolate individuals from the Muslim community. If a person is expressing ideas that are not in line with Islamic values, s/he must be gently corrected. Calling Kafir will only fuel their ignorance, anger and stubbornness, not to mention humiliate and embarrass them.
Reaching out across ethnic boundaries: The ignorant practice of maintaining "ethnic mosques" is, Alhamdu lillah, slowly but surely disappearing in North America. But there is still a long way to go. All of our institutions, functions and communities in general must become more ethnically diverse and open to the needs and concerns of Muslims of all backgrounds. Muslim leaders and individuals have a duty to ensure that no Muslim, regardless of their ethno-cultural background, feels shut out of the community, ignored or neglected.
This can only be done by Muslim leaders and individuals taking the first step and reaching out to Muslims who may have been traditionally isolated because of ethnicity in mosques and other institutions. It is not enough to just open the door to all. A direct effort has to be made to solicit feedback, advice and support from all Muslims so that they feel a part of the community.
Another, more personal way of reaching out is to invite Muslims of diverse backgrounds to your home for food. Go one step further and extend this invitation to non-Muslims as well to break barriers and share the beautiful teachings of Islam.
Heed the advice found in Surah Hujurat: This 49th chapter of Noble Qur'an provides excellent guidance on the kind of behavior that Muslims should avoid to establish Muslim unity. For instance, Allah (SWT), advises us to avoid mockery, defamation, suspicion and backbiting. These are all things which serve to divide us and create hatred, hurt and dissension because one of the famous traditions of Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) says, "A Muslim is the one from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe." [Tirmidhi]
Share the above mentioned tips with fellow Muslims in your community. Suggest the Khateeb during Friday and Eid prayers to use this article as a topic for his sermon. Or you can print this out and hand it out to worshippers or publish it in your local community newsletter. It's also important to discuss it in various Muslim settings to start the thinking and reflecting process amongst Muslims.
Make Dua for Muslim Unity: Ask your Imam to emphasize Muslim Unity as an Islamic duty in his Khutbahs and suggest practical ways it can be achieved in your country or Islamic organizations. Also, suggest to Muslims going for Hajj Pilgrimageto make special Dua for Muslim unity.
Understand that Muslim unity is not an option. In other words Muslim unity is a Fard/Wajib (obligatory duty) according to Noble Qur'an and Traditions of Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him). Consider the following references given below:
Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves." (3:103)
Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "The believers are but a single brotherhood. Make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy." (49-10)
Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have 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." (6-159)
Messenger of Allah (saw)said, "The Muslims are like a body, if one part of the body hurts, rest of the body will also suffer." Meaning that the Muslims, whether they are of Chinese, African or Arabian or European origin, are one Ummah and they cannot be separated from each other.
Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "Believers are brethren, their lives are equal to each other and they are as one hand against their enemy."
Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "It is not permissible for two Muslims to be annoyed and angry for more that three days."
Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When Muslims are angry with each other for three days. If they do not compromise then they go away from the limits of Islam and the one who compromise first will enter Jannah (Paradise) earlier."
The utmost important duty for every Muslim is to preserve and protect the Muslim unity (Ittihad) and not to cause any division in the Muslim rank. O Muslims: Know that union is strength and division is weakness. A building will not be strong except by the cohesion of its bricks. A tower will not arise except on correct foundations and solid principles. So, there are not sects in ISLAM, we should always call ourselves as Muslims, follower of Islam.
You will be shocked at the unity of the Iranian nation. There is no such thing as Shia or a Sunni in their school of thought. In fact the founder of Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (ra), said one who calls himself such a name is not in fact Muslim. The Shia and the Sunni go to the same mosque and are allowed to teach their own school of thought to their followers. All are united under the same leader, the same religion, the same Noble Qur'an, the same Prophet, the same Kaabah and the same Qiblah.
SHIA + SUNNI = UMMAH OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S)
Finally, make sure that you as an individual are not only working for Muslim Unity but making Dua for it as well, since results are all in Allah's Hands.
Sectarianism serves the purpose of enemies of Islam
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NajimudeeN M
NajimudeeN M
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