Staying united

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ

 

If a limb is cut off from your body it will decay; except if saved and treated, etc.  This is an important eye opener for us because Islam teaches us one brotherhood.  Allah says;

And verily this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: Therefore fear Me (and no other).  (23:52)

Islam came to remove the tribalism, racism and all other segregated mentalities.  There is no question of ‘I am better than you’ as was shown by Satan in the Garden.

Prophet Muhammad (pboh) has informed us of the consequences of trying to be superior or segregate ourselves from others.  For example he says that if there is a flock of sheep and a wolf is to attack them, he won’t go in the middle of the flock, he will take one that is on the outskirt or the one’s that separated from the flock.

These are eye openers to the message that Allah give us in the Holy Qur’an;

And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves.  (3:103)

Islam gives us the recipe, the prescription, the philosophy and the consequences of on one hand staying united and on the other hand the danger of separating.  A lot of people, because of their ego or because of their desire to do good, separate because they are not allowed to contribute, something of their talent to help others.  And later on that separation may grow into a separate entity.  We need to be mindful of at all times the we are  to stay united.

For example when Prophet Muhammad (pboh) and his Companions were constructing the mosque in Madinah, each Companion took one brick at a time.  One Companion took with him two bricks at a time and Prophet (pboh) reprehended him.

We have to be careful at all times.  Our intentions may be good but we must always ask the question: are we causing disunity by doing this or that?

Allah has given us institutions to unite the ummah such as salaat.  When the time for salaat comes we all join in.  That is an indication that we are a united people and an eye opener of what we can really achieve if we work like a unit.

Whenever we are going to do something ask yourself whether you are doing it for the sole sake of Allah and for the love of His Rasool (pboh).  And always try to bring together your Muslim brothers and sisters.  We will have personal difference as no two humans are alike, but these must not lead us to segregating ourselves or excluding others.  Whenever we are working as a group always remember what Allah says and be not divided among yourselves.

One way of staying united is the collective engagement in zikrullah.  This is common to all; remembering Allah and praising Him.

We all have to make a conscious effort to foster and maintain unity.  Don’t allow the ego to prevent you from achieving this.  And whatever little you may do on your own try your best not to create disunity. 

With love, compassion, wisdom and understanding; let us make an effort not to contribute to the division of the ummah.  It takes a real effort but we insha Allah we can all contribute to it.  Always be mindful of the bond that Allah wants us to create.

May Allah enable us to strive for unification in the ummah and may He allow us to always work together.


Transcript of discourse delivered by
Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed

The video presentation of this discourse can be accessed at
http://www.youtube.com/markazalihsaan