Staying United

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is a transcript of discourse delivered by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

If a limb is cut off from our body it will decay; except if saved and treated.  This is an important eye opener for us because Islam teaches us one brotherhood.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المؤمنون

وَإِنَّ هَـٰذِهِۦۤ أُمَّتُكُمۡ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ وَأَنَا۟ رَبُّڪُمۡ فَٱتَّقُونِ (٥٢) 

And verily this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other). (Surah al-Mu’minun: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 (s.a.w.) 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 will not go in the middle of the flock; he will take one that is on the outskirt or the ones that separated from the flock.  These are eye openers to the Message that Allah (s.w.t.) Gave us in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعً۬ا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُواْ‌... (١٠٣) 

And hold fast, all together by the Rope which Allah (Stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves ... (Surah Ali ‘Imran: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 that we are to stay united.  For example, when Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his companions were constructing the mosque in Madina, each companion took one brick at a time.  One companion took with him two bricks at a time and Prophet (s.a.w.) 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 (s.w.t.) has Given us institutions to unite the ummah such as swalah.  When the time for swalah 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, we ask ourselves whether we are doing it for the sole sake of Allah (s.w.t.) and for the love of His Rasul (s.a.w.).  And always try to bring together our 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, we must always remember what Allah (s.w.t.) Says and be not divided among ourselves. 

One way of staying united is the collective engagement in dzikrullah.  This is common to all; remembering Allah (s.w.t.) and praising Him.  We all have to make a conscious effort to foster and maintain unity.  We must not allow the ego to prevent us from achieving this.  And whatever little we may do on our own, we 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, insha’Allah, we can all contribute to it.  We must always be mindful of the bond that Allah (s.w.t.) Wants us to create.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Enable us to strive for unification in the ummah and may He Allow us to always work together.