“Unity is a fundamental doctrine and responsibility in Islam, the dearth of which is undeniably the cause of many of our problems as a people. Ask a hundred Muslims today what the cause of our problem is and you will probably get the same answer from everyone—“unity”. There are various reasons given for our seeming inability to unite as Allah commanded us to, but three of the most popular are: foreign influences, our oppressive and corrupt governments, and unscrupulous religious leaders or sheikhs. Rarely however do you hear that the reason we are in disunity is because we have neglected our responsibility as enshrined in the most powerful and liberating declaration —La ilah ha ilalah Muhammadan Rasulillah. This declaration known as the Shahada is a testimony and oath declaring that we testify there is no deity except Allah and that we will worship no other deity other than Allah as well as take no one for an example for how to fulfill this responsibility other than His prophet, the Mercy for Mankind Muhammad (PBUH). Worship we know means living every aspect of our lives including in thought, business, family life, friendship, work and studies as prescribed by Allah and demonstrated and explained through His Messenger. This is the responsibility we have all testified to and taken an oath to uphold to the best of our ability and resources. Countless number of people have been tortured, persecuted and at times even killed for uttering this declaration. Those who felt and claimed they had a monopoly on knowledge, power or wealth because of their color, tribe, or lineage felt threatened, because this was also telling them that we are all equal in rights and responsibility under Allah, The All Powerful.
As our beloved Prophet (PBUH) taught us, Islam is a religion of rights and responsibilities. The two (rights and responsibilities) are complementary and one cannot subsist without the other. Unity is one of the most important acts of worship (responsibility) that is incumbent on every Muslim male and female. To relegate this indispensable responsibility to our politicians or even religious leaders is to forego the essential rights allied with it…”
Comments anyone? It’s from a website called the Al-Ummah Project al-ummahproject.org
I was really interested with what they had to say and would like a second opinion. I am currently also reading an book from there, again interesting if you are interested in evolution and creation in Islam.
Re: Unity of the ummah is a collective responsibility
Wa Alaikkum As'alaam
I don't think we can blame anybody else but ourselves. The problem, I feel is that Muslims tend to label each other such as Wahabi, Naqshbandi, Ahmediyya etc etc etc and create tension within Islam. Then there are those Muslims who hate anything that has to do with Saudi Arabia. I feel that one should be loyal to the leadership in Mecca, not the Kingdom of Saudi Araiba, I am talking about loyalty Islamically. I'd love to see a leader/ship emerging from Mecca uniting all Muslims.
The good thing is that whenever there are outside forces involved such as the West trying to dictate terms to Muslims, then I feel this is the time that all Muslims show unity. Like it or not, believe it or not, there are frictions and by-partisan support within Islam. Such a shame.
Re: Unity of the ummah is a collective responsibility
I agree with you, there is no one to blame but us. However I do also believe that unity must me under the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Therefore anyone who accepts the truth contained in both such as that Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messanger should definately be in this unity. We must not compromise principals for the sake of unity though. I read this very interesting booklet on the subject (last part): al-ummah project
As for leadership comming from Mecca I dont know, but what I do know is that leader is a collective responsibility.
Re: Unity of the ummah is a collective responsibility
format_quote Originally Posted by Abu Loren
Wa Alaikkum As'alaam
I don't think we can blame anybody else but ourselves. The problem, I feel is that Muslims tend to label each other such as Wahabi, Naqshbandi, Ahmediyya etc etc etc and create tension within Islam. Then there are those Muslims who hate anything that has to do with Saudi Arabia. I feel that one should be loyal to the leadership in Mecca, not the Kingdom of Saudi Araiba, I am talking about loyalty Islamically. I'd love to see a leader/ship emerging from Mecca uniting all Muslims.
The good thing is that whenever there are outside forces involved such as the West trying to dictate terms to Muslims, then I feel this is the time that all Muslims show unity. Like it or not, believe it or not, there are frictions and by-partisan support within Islam. Such a shame.
Yes but some sects cannot be called Muslim like Ahmaddiyas believe Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is a prophet and they believe in another prophet than the last prophet Muhammad (saw) so they are disbelieving the Qur'an so it takes they out of Islam and other sects as well, even scholars declare Shias are not Muslims
well 80-90% of Muslims are united since they are Sunnis
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