Concept Of Unity Of Muslim Ummah In Modern Age

Unity among Muslims is nowadays something that is more than anything else to be promoted after education. The problems and the atrocities, Muslims are suffering can be attributed to two main root causes:

1. Lack of education (discussed in another post as: Restructuring Islamic Education - The Lost Priorities)
2. Disunity among Muslims.

Division, differences and disputes are the cause of the ummah’s defeat.

As far as different groups and sects are concerned among Muslims, Islam strongly disowns these. Allah commands Muslims in the Quran to be united and asks to identify oneself as "Muslim", not as Shia, Sunni, Barelvi or Deobandi.

Concept Of Unity In Islam According To Quran:

Allah says in Surah Al-Imran,

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."  [Surah Al-Imran: 03, Verse No: 103]

[Quranic Reference: Surah Al-Imran, 103]

What is "rope of Allah" referred to herein this verse? It is the Holy Quran. After that, there is a double emphasis on remaining united by commanding "not to become divided".
Allah also asks us to identify ourselves just as "Muslims" not by other names in this verse of Surah Fussilat:

Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?' "[Surah Fussilat: 41, Verse No:33]

Concluding, what we all can observe that just to remain united follow the Quran and Hadiths & never ever miss to offer the obligatory Salah and don't go in unnecessary discussions which don't have any significance in Islam. Even Sahabas(r.a.) had differences in their opinions about certain topics but that didn't let them divided as they stuck to the basics of Islam. We share more common things than a difference! Prioritize those...

There are many aspects of unity in Islam, such as One God, one Book (The Glorious Quran), one Prophet (Prophet Muhammad PBUH), one religion (Islam), one qiblah, one ummah.

As Allama Iqbal rightly said:

Allama Iqbal On Unity Among Muslims.

Manfa'at Ek Hai Is Qaum Ki, Nuqsan Bhi Ek Ek Hi Sab Ka Nabi, Din Bhi, Iman Bhi Ek
Harm E Paak Bhi, ALLAH Bhi, Quran Bhi Ek,
Kuch Bari Baat Thi Hotey Jo Musalmaan Bhi Ek! 
[Allama Iqbal]

Time to accept the reality that we can't free the Muslim Ummah from these differences but at the same time these should not be an opportunity for our enemies to foster their anti-Islamic agendas. Accept these differences and highlight the commons we share. Respect all the scholars of Islam. Don't listen to those who highlight and lead the differences among us. Believe me, they are our bigger enemies than anti-Islamists.

Also Read: Dr Gary Miller, The Amazing Quran & His Journey To Islam.

Point is what can we do to promote unity among us in ground state? Here is the checklist to which if we are going to follow, inshAllah, we can surely instil unity among us. These are:

• Understand Tawheed, Risalat & Aakhirat. 
• Understand Maqasid e Shariah (the purpose of Shariah). 
• Avoid bida't (innovation in deen), Ghuloo (exaggeration), Kibr. 
• Hold all social ties strongly as commanded by Allah (Huqooq'ul'Ibad). 
• Be ready to pray behind any Imam. 
• Differentiate between criticising & advising. 
• Act according to the preferences in the Deen. 
• Observe Salaam, keep Smiling, have Sabr and be Forgiving. 
• Propagate & establish Islam; Masalik or Organisations are mere platforms. 
• Avoid hatred, suspicion (Tajassus) & spreading rumours. 
• Avoid labelling Muslims (Muqallid, Gustakh, Wahabi, Jamati,..). 
• Guard your tongue(from mocking, slandering, accusing, backbiting, lying...). 
• Practice Al Walawal Bara ( Love and Hate for the sake of Allah). 
• Bear in mind that no one is Masoom (free from error) except Ambiya (a.s). 
• Donot criticize the personality rather criticize the subject matter & give advice according to Quran and Authentic Sunnah if it has been verified otherwise be silent if you don't have the proper understanding.
• Avoid hyphenated identities & believe that MUSLIM is our only predominant identity & UMMAH is our nation. 
• Realise real Taqwa & real enemy.
• Shun all the calls of Jahilliyah & Asbiyah (Nationalism, Feminism, Liberalism...). 
• Realise the detailed meanings of Ibadah & Deen.
• Promote intermaslak & interjamaat marriages. 
• Realise the mission of Ummat-e-Muhammadiya (PBUH) i.e. Iqamat-e-Deen. 
• Bring yourself closer to Quran, Sunnah & Ahl-e-Bait. 
• Observe Dua.

The emphasis of unity among Muslims is also seen in the farewell sermon of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Also Read: Story Of Owais Qarni & Status Of Mother In Islam

May Allah guide us to remain united and ease the sufferings of Muslims all over the world!

Reference: Checklist obtained from SAII's pamphlet.
Verses interpretations from Islamqa.info & authenticated from the Holy Quran.