Assalamualaikumwa rahmatullahe wa barakatuhu.
In the Name of God, the most kind, the most merciful.
I don’t understand why Unity in Islam means building a wall with the rest of humanity. It should be a bridge that leads people to the true essence of humanity. Does unity in Islam mean opposing the rest of humanity? No. Does unity in Islam mean alienating the rest? No. Unity in Islam is a means to uniting the world as one single race. Everyone of us are created by God. This world is not meant only for the Muslims. However, it is in the belief that Islamic teachings have the ability to bring progress (in many sense of the word) to humanity, and therefore, the unity of Islam, the Muslims, is the driving force to a better world, definitely NOT through violence, hurting and killing our own brethren of humanity.
We are in the new millenium, and advancement in Science and Technology, including fields such as psychology, international relations, relationship building, interfaith understanding, theological studies, social sciences and so on, have the ability to bring people together, based on the foundation of what Islam means. Unity in Islam is not the same as IMPOSING everyone to be Muslims, or to impose Islamic beliefs and teachings onto the rest of humanity. It is the belief that when there is unity in Islam, there will be greater progress for humanity and the world. There are many verses in the Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet of Islam that show these ideas of universal brotherhood of human beings are congruent with the beliefs in Islam.
“O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you” (Quran 49:13).
As quoted in Islam The Natural Way by Abdul Wahid Hamid p. 125
A man once visited the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah. There he saw a group of people sitting and discussing their faith together. Among them were Salman (who came from Persia), Suhayb who grew up in the Eastern Roman empire and was regarded as a Greek, and Bilal who was an African. The man then said:
“If the (Madinan) tribes of Aws and Khazraj support Muhammad, they are his people (that is, Arabs like him). But what are these people doing here?”
The Prophet became very angry when this was reported to him. Straightaway, he went to the mosque and summoned people to a Salat. He then addressed them saying:
“O people, know that the Lord and Sustainer is One. Your ancestor is one, your faith is one. The Arabism of anyone of you is not from your mother or father. It is no more than a tongue (language). Whoever speaks Arabic is an Arab.”
Excerpt from the Prophet’s Last Sermon as in Baihiqi
O people, Remember that your Lord is One. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a black has no superiority over white, nor a white has any superiority over black, except by piety and good action (Taqwa). Indeed the best among you is the one with the best character (Taqwa). Listen to me. Did I convey this to you properly? People responded, Yes. O messenger of God, The Prophet then said, then each one of you who is there must convey this to everyone not present.
Pride in Ancestry - Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi
The Prophet said: Let people stop boasting about their ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a miserable sinner. All men are sons of Adam, and Adam came from dust
Imagine this. When Muslims are One, is there a need for wars? For terrorism? Is there a need to kill? Islamic basic tenets do not condone violence, nor encourage wars or killings. It is the belief that the Islamic Caliphate when reigned over this earth, it will be a better place. Currently, there is no caliphate, and look at the ‘mess’. Just imagine if a true Islamic Caliphate is established, it will indeed be a Kingdom of Heaven on earth. That is at least what I choose to believe. Unity in Islam should and must mean Unity in Humanity. We need to build bridges, and foster ties not only amongst Muslims, but with the rest of humanity. We are One, Muslim or Not. That we must believe.
Islam will pave the way for Unity in Humanity. God willing.
In the next reflection, I would like to discuss about what are the benefits for humanity when there is Unity in Islam, what does it take to bring about Unity in Islam, and what are the efforts ongoing around the world that aim to bring Islam as One, and their progress thus far. I hope to survey the pulse of the Ummah with the reflection article.
Wassalam
Mohammad Nizam Abdul Kadir
Honorary Secretary
Reference Used:
Islam’s manifesto of Universal brotherhood of human beings by Abdul Malik Mujahid (http://soundvision.com/info/racism/quran.asp)
