An Invitation to Muslims to become a United Ummah [Nation]

Look! I am not feeling well. I did not sleep throughout the night. Despite this, I am speaking out of necessity. Whoever will understand and make amâl [practise], Allâh Ta’âla will cause him to prosper, otherwise you will cause your own destruction.

Approximately all the Arabs had accepted Islâm by the ninth year of hijrî, at a time when not a single solid building structure was constructed. In fact, the masjid was also not a solid structure. Moreover, unto then, no lamp was lit in the masjid. The first person to light a lamp in Masjidun Nabawî was Hadrat Tamîm Dârî Radhiallâhu anhu. He became a Muslim in the ninth year of hijrî. In short, people of different clans, languages and nations formed a united Ummah. Only when this was achieved, a lamp was lit in the masjid. However, before the physical lamp was lit, the prophetic nûr of hidâyah [light of guidance] had already spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and even further. Thereafter, this Ummah presided over this world. Countries upon countries fell at their feet, wherever they went.

This Ummah was formed when no individual supported his own family, community, group, party, nation, country and language. None took into consideration his personal wealth, property and family. In fact, each individual's concern was only the order of Allâh and His RasûI Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. This Ummah will only unite when all relationships and ties are broken to fulfil the command of Allâh and His Rasûl Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. When the Muslims were a united Ummah, the murder of a single Muslim soul anywhere in the world used to activate the entire Ummah to retaliate. Presently, hundreds of thousands of Muslims are murdered, but no finger is raised.

The Muslims of the entire world are divided and murdered because they have destroyed their unity by nullifying the sacrifices of Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam. I am expressing the sorrow of my heart before you. All this destruction is because the Ummah has not remained an Ummah. In fact, we have forgotten what is an Ummah and how did Sayyidina Rasûlullah Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam form an Ummah.

Abul Fadhl and Faidî also acquired knowledge in a madrasah. They were so proficient in their knowledge that they wrote a tafsîr of the Holy Qur'ân using only those alphabets which do not have any diacritical points. Despite this, they were responsible for leading the Emperor Akbar astray and destroying Din. Hence, the quality of dhikr and knowledge that were found in Ibnu MuIjim and Abul Fadl and Faidî respectively were not sufficient for the unification of the Ummah and for divine assistance to descend.

Remember! Slogans like: "my nation", "my country", "my community", disunites the Ummah. Allah Ta’âla dislikes such slogans. A distinguished Sahâbi like Hadrat Sa'd bin 'Ubadah Radhiallâhu anhu committed an error in this matter. If his error was not rectified, then disunity would have occurred between the Ansâr and Mahajirîn. Nevertheless, Hadrat Sa'd Radhiallâhu anhu had to suffer the consequence of this error in this world. It is narrated that the jinnâts murdered him. Thereafter a voice from the unseen expressed the following couplet:

“We killed the chief of the Khazraj, Sa’d bin ‘Ubâdah. We threw an arrow at him that pierced his heart.”

This is an exemplary lesson. It teaches that even if the best of the people break the unity of the Ummah based on nationalism, racism or geographical position, then Allâh Ta’âla destroys him.

Remember! The corruption of monetary and social dealings destroys the unity of the Ummah. Disunity is created when one individual or group oppressors another, the one does not fulfil the rights or harms or degrades and belittles the other. Therefore, state that only kalimah and tasbîh is insufficient for the unification of the Ummah. The Ummah will be formed when monetary and social dealings are rectified and each one respects and fulfils the rights, of the other. In fact, the Ummah will only be formed when personal rights and benefits are sacrificed for others. Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam, Hadrat Abû Bakr and Hadrat 'Umar Radiallâhu anhum sacrificed all what they possessed and bore difficulties to form this Ummah.

Once in the time of Hadrat 'Umâr Radhiallâhu anhu, much wealth came to Madinah Munawwarah. A mashwarah [discussion] took place with regard to its distribution. This was a time when the Ummah was already formed. The members of the mashwarah were not connected to one particular clan or class of people. They were from different tribes and groups. They were the distinguished companions of Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. They decided that the major portion of the wealth should be given to those who belonged to the tribe of Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam. Thereafter, the remaining wealth should be distributed amongst those who belonged to the tribe of Hadrat Abû Bakr Radhiallâhu anhu and, finally, amongst those who belong to the tribe of Hadrat ‘Umâr Radhiallâhu anhu.

Mutual unity is essential for the formation of the Ummah. Dissention should not be sown. Sayyidina Rasûlullâh is reported to have said: “A person who had performed Salâh, paid Zakâh, observed fast, went for Hajj and did the work of tabligh in this worldly life will be brought forth on the Day of Qiyâmah. Despite his good deeds, he will be punished because of a statement he uttered which sowed discord in the Ummah. It will be said to him, "You should firstly suffer the punishment of your statement which caused discord to the Ummah." On the other hand, another person who had neglected the performance of Salâh, paying Zakâh, etc. will be presented. He will be very fearful of receiving divine punishment. Despite his negligence, he will be bestowed with much reward. He will ask out of surprise, in lieu of which action is this kindness. The following answer will be given, "You uttered a statement on a certain occasion, which saved the Ummah from mischief and created unity amongst them.

"The usage of the tongue is most effective in the formation and disintegration of the Ummah. The tongue is an organ which could unite or break hearts. Mischief is created when a single wrong statement is uttered by the tongue and circulated. Similarly, a single correct statement creates unity between broken hearts. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to control the usage of the tongue. This will be achieved when a person realises the omnipresence of Allâh Ta’âla. He hears everything that is uttered.

Aus and Khazraj were the two Ansâr tribes of Madinah Munawwarah. They hated and fought with each other for generations. Centuries of mutual hatred and fighting terminated when Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam arrived in Madinah Munawwarah and they were blessed with Islâm. They became intimate friends of each other through the blessings of Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam and Islâm.

The Jews could not tolerate this unity. They plotted to sow discord amongst them. They appointed a person to recite some poetry concerning their previous battles against each other in an assembly where individuals of both clans were present. This initially provoked them to verbally abuse each other. Thereafter, they drew out their swords to fight. When Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was informed about the situation, he immediately arrived and said:

“Will you murder one another in my presence?" On this occasion, Sayyidina Rasûlullâh Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam delivered a brief, but touching address. Both clans realised their error. They cried bitterly and embraced one another. The following ayâh [verses] were revealed on this occasion. "O Believers! Fear Allâh as is the right of fearing Him and never die except in the condition that you are Muslims..."

When a person will realise the omnipresence of Allâh Ta’âla at all times, he will fear His Punishment and Wrath and obey Him at every breath. In such a case, Shaytân will never be able to mislead him. In addition, the Ummah will be saved from disunity and every other type of evil.Allâh Ta’âla says: “United hold firm to the rope of Allâh (the Holy Qur'ân and Dîn. In other words, all of you should permanently hold firmly to the Rope of Din with complete unity). And do not be divided (on the basis of nations, geographical positions, languages or anything else). And remember the Bounty of Allâh upon you when you were enemies (of one another for centuries), then He united your hearts and, through His Bounty, you became brothers. And you were on the edge of the pit of Jahannum (about to fall therein when you mutually fought), then Allâh saved you therefrom."

Shaytân accompanies you everywhere. To save yourself from his evil, there should exist a group amongst you whose work will be to encourage the good and discourage the evil. Allâh says: “There should exist a group from amongst you who will call towards good (Dîn), they should command all that is good (by striving in the Path of Allâh Ta’âla, to make an effort upon imân, salâh, dhikr, knowledge of nubûwat, etc) and prevent from all that is evil." The Ummah will become a united one through these efforts.Thereafter, Allâh Ta’âla says. "And do not become like those who were divided and differed after clear signs had reached them. There is a gruesome punishment for such people. (A distressing punishment awaits those who follow Shaytân and employ various means to create differences and disunite the Ummah even after being advised.)"

Contrary to this are those a'mâl which creates disunity and paves the way towards Jahannum. Examples of such a'mâl are mutual enmity, jealousy, slander, tale‑bearing, defamation, humiliation and annoying others. The faces of those who perpetrate such evil will be blackened on the Day of Qiyâmah.

Brothers and Friends! These ayâh were revealed when the Jews made an effort to disunite the Sahâbah Radhiallâhu anhu and cause dissention amongst them. These ayâh declare disunity and in‑fighting amongst the Muslims as kufr. Thereafter, a severe warning of punishment is cited in the âkhirah.

Such statements should not be made whereby Shaytân causes division in the Ummah. When three individuals sit together, they should be aware that Allâh Ta’âla is the fourth amongst them. If four or five sit, they should definitely realise that Allâh Ta’âla is the fifth or sixth amongst them. He is listening to all that is spoken and observing whether the discussion is to unite or divide the Ummah. The participants should never ever slander, plot or carry tales of others.

If the Ummah will be united, then never ever will they be disgraced. The Russians and American armies will also submit in front of them. The Ummah will be united when all the Muslims make a'mâl [practice] on the ayâh, "Adhilatin 'alal mu'minîn” meaning that every Muslim should humble and lower himself in front of his brother. This quality should be inculcated when proceeding for tabligh. When the Muslims will develop the quality of "adhilatin 'alal mu'minîn", Allâh Ta’âla will make them “a’izzatin 'alal kâfirîn”, in this world. They will become victorious and dominant against the unbelievers, whether they are from Europe or Asia.

Similarly, we have been prohibited from humiliating mocking and jesting others. Allâh Ta’âla commands, "Let not some laugh at others; it may be that the latter are better than the former." We have also been prohibited from searching for the faults we know not. In addition, we have been prohibited from mentioning someone's fault we know in front of others.

We have been strongly commanded to honour and respect one another because this creates unity. At the same time, we have been prohibited from seeking honour from others because this disunites the Ummah. A united Ummah will be formed when each person sincerely realises, ‘I am not worthy of being honoured, and hence, I should not seek any honour from others. In fact, I should honour others because everybody else is worthy of being respected and honoured by me.’

The Jews are the children of the Prophets. Despite this, Allâh Ta’âla, destroyed them when they broke the principles of honour. The Sahâbah were the children of idol‑worshippers. Allâh Ta’âla honoured them when they followed the principles of honour. Allâh Ta’âla, has no relationship with anyone. Allâh Ta’âla retribution goes according to certain principles and rules.

Make an effort to see the jamâts of different nations, localities, classes of people and languages proceed in the path of Allâh. Observe the principles of the work correctly. Insha‑Allâh the effort to unite the Ummah will take place and, insha‑Allâh Shaytân and nafs [carnal self] will not cause any harm.