Building Unity Among Muslims: A Divine Call to Brotherhood

 

Unity among Muslims is one of the cornerstones of a strong and prosperous Ummah. Islam emphasizes the importance of brotherhood and solidarity, urging believers to rise above divisions and work together in pursuit of righteousness and justice. This unity is not merely a social ideal but a divine command that strengthens faith, promotes harmony, and empowers the community to face challenges collectively.

Allah commands in the Quran:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together, and you became, by His favor, brothers.”
(Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:103)
“وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعٗا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ أَعۡدَآءٗ فَأَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوبِكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم بِنِعۡمَتِهِۦٓ إِخۡوَٰنٗا”

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:

“The Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he abandon him.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2564)
“الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَلَا يَخْذُلُهُ”

This article explores the Islamic teachings on unity, the challenges that divide the Ummah, and practical steps to strengthen bonds among Muslims for the sake of Allah.


The Quranic Call for Unity

 

The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of unity, urging believers to rise above disputes and strengthen their bonds. Allah says:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together, and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.”

(Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:103)
“وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعٗا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْۚ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ أَعۡدَآءٗ فَأَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوبِكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم بِنِعۡمَتِهِۦٓ إِخۡوَٰنٗا وَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفۡرَةٖ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنۡهَاۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُونَ”

This verse underscores the divine imperative for Muslims to unite, reminding them of Allah’s favor in transforming their hearts from enmity to brotherhood. The “rope of Allah” symbolizes the Quran, the Sunnah, and adherence to faith, which serve as the foundation for unity.


Building unity among Muslims

Brotherhood in Islam: A Sacred Bond

 

The concept of brotherhood is deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“The believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy, are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds with wakefulness and fever.”
(Sahih Bukhari, 6011)
“مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَىٰ مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَىٰ لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّىٰ”

This hadith portrays the Ummah as a unified body, where the suffering of one part affects the whole. It emphasizes empathy, support, and solidarity among Muslims.


Obstacles to Unity

 

Despite the divine call for unity, various factors hinder the Muslim Ummah from achieving it. These include:

  • Sectarianism: Differences in schools of thought and interpretation often lead to division.
  • Nationalism and Ethnic Bias: Placing ethnicity or nationality above Islam creates barriers between Muslims.
  • Political Disputes: Conflicts over power and governance have historically divided the Ummah.
  • Ignorance and Misunderstanding: Lack of knowledge about Islamic teachings fosters discord.

Addressing these issues requires a commitment to the principles of justice, mutual respect, and prioritizing shared beliefs over differences.


Practical Steps to Build Unity Among Muslims

 

Adherence to the Quran and Sunnah

The Quran and Sunnah are the ultimate sources of guidance for Muslims. Unity is achieved by adhering to these principles and avoiding innovations that lead to division. Allah says:

“And do not be like those who were divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And they will have a great punishment.”
(Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:105)
“وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُواْ وَٱخۡتَلَفُواْ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُۚ وَأُوْلَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ”

The Prophet ﷺ also emphasized following his Sunnah:

“I have left among you two things, you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah.”
(Muwatta Malik, 1661)
“تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ”

Promoting Tolerance and Respect

Muslims must acknowledge and respect differences in interpretation, provided they align with the fundamentals of Islam. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not wrong him, nor does he hand him over to his enemy.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2564)
“الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَلَا يُسْلِمُهُ”

This hadith emphasizes the importance of protecting and supporting fellow Muslims, regardless of differences.

Combating Nationalism and Ethnic Bias

Islam eradicates racism and tribalism, emphasizing equality among all believers. The Prophet ﷺ declared in his Farewell Sermon:

“There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab; nor of a white person over a black person, nor of a black person over a white person, except by piety and good action.”
(Musnad Ahmad, 23489)
“لَا فَضْلَ لِعَرَبِيٍّ عَلَى أَعْجَمِيٍّ، وَلَا لِأَعْجَمِيٍّ عَلَى عَرَبِيٍّ، وَلَا لِأَحْمَرَ عَلَى أَسْوَدَ، وَلَا لِأَسْوَدَ عَلَى أَحْمَرَ إِلَّا بِالتَّقْوَىٰ”

Emphasizing the Shared Goals of the Ummah

Focusing on collective goals, such as spreading Islam, addressing injustices, and serving humanity, unites Muslims. Allah says:

“Indeed, this Ummah of yours is one Ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:92)
“إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ”

Establishing Justice

Justice is a prerequisite for unity. Allah commands:

“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.”
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:58)
“إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُكُمۡ أَن تُؤَدُّواْ ٱلۡأَمَٰنَٰتِ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمۡتُم بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ أَن تَحۡكُمُواْ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُم بِهِۦٓۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعَۢا بَصِيرٗا”


The Rewards of Unity

 

Fostering unity is not just a moral obligation; it is a means to earn Allah’s pleasure and immense rewards in the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah’s hand is with the group, and whoever deviates from the group departs to Hell.”
(Sunan At-Tirmidhi, 2167)
“يَدُ اللَّهِ مَعَ الْجَمَاعَةِ، وَمَنْ شَذَّ شَذَّ إِلَى النَّارِ”

Additionally, unity strengthens the Ummah, making it a force for good and justice in the world.


Conclusion: Building unity among Muslims

 

Unity among Muslims is not just a desirable trait; it is a divine command and a key to the strength and prosperity of the Ummah. Islam calls for solidarity, mutual respect, and a focus on shared values, transcending differences in ethnicity, nationality, or sect. When Muslims unite under the banner of faith, they become a powerful force for good, capable of addressing global challenges and fulfilling their role as a just and compassionate community.

Allah reminds us in the Quran:

“Indeed, this Ummah of yours is one Ummah, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:92)
“إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمۡ فَٱعۡبُدُونِ”

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also highlighted the rewards of unity, saying:

“The believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other.”
(Sahih Bukhari, 481)
“الْمُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا”

By adhering to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, Muslims can overcome divisions, foster brotherhood, and earn Allah’s pleasure. May Allah unite our hearts and make us a source of strength and guidance for one another. Ameen.


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