As the bombs
fall over Gaza, the cry for unity among Muslims grows louder. Yet unity remains
elusive. Why?
The Muslim
ummah today is fragmented and weakened, but there is hope on the horizon. The
issue of Palestine may serve as a crucial turning point for the Muslim ummah. There
are serious issues to contend with which will bring unity and strength to the
ummah. There will always be stragglers, some of whom may fall by the wayside
and others will dust themselves off and be role players in the service of the
ummah.
The catastrophic
situation in Palestine may yet be the catalyst for Islamic revival. While the
colonialists have dominated and become masters over much of the world and even
shaped religious views, it is time for the Muslim ummah to awaken. People
devout on their religion have limited it to mere rituals. The defence of
Muslims and the oppressed in general has been neglected and even abandoned.
What then will be the true essence of the revival? It is in our faith. In understanding
that concept well enough, it must be integral to our lives. That faith that is
based on the concept of the testimony of faith being “there is no deity worthy
of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ
is His messenger”. Muhammad ﷺ is the final
messenger to whom was revealed Quran and something like it, being his sunnah.
We may add the Prophet Eesa (Yeshu/Jesus) – peace be upon him – is a messenger
of Allah. He preceded Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
We accept and revere him. The true expression of this declaration of faith will
result in the unity of the ummah.
Our unity is
based on the Kalimah – the testimony of faith. Any division caused in the ummah
questions our unwavering attachment to the kalimah and what it entails. Of
course, people make mistakes but to teach division is unacceptable. Notes like
these cannot always go into every detail, but broadly speaking, unity is the
goal while division is understood for its harm and even sinfulness. Allah commands
us:
“And hold
firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided….” [Quran 3:103]
An expression
of unity is the congregational prayer. This is a lesson you can carry beyond
the prayer itself.. Your prayer in congregation brings you together to pray in
one direction, following one imam, while standing shoulder to shoulder,
performing the prayer in the manner taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Understand that “Pray as you see me pray”
is but one way of reminding us that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
is our teacher and example. This is the principle that whatever he taught us, you
reply “We hear and we obey”. This means that whenever an authentic hadith is
quoted, you know and understand that you
have no further say in it whether your imam or shaikh said something different
or not. Your response should always be “We hear and we obey”. Allah says:
It is not for a
believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any
other choice in that matter. Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger
has clearly gone astray [Quran 33:36]
This is the
step to unity. The second pillar of Islam is “Salah” (prayer). Take the lessons
from it and understand unity from it. Of course, you will better understand it
when you live it by frequenting the masajid (sing – masjid = mosque) for congregational
prayer, the first expression of unity in action.
You will agree
that had there been unity as was in the early years of Islam, the Palestinian
issue will either not have been an issue or it will have been resolved a very
long time ago. Yet, here we are. There is an issue on Palestine. This issue has
stirred some awareness in you. Be part of the solution. The basics are simple.
Let’s start with the pillars of Islam: The Testimony of faith – understand it well
and live it. Part of living it, is to be punctual and sincere in your daily
prayers and offering it in congregation has enormous rewards and benefits. Let
your next prayer in congregation be more than routine. Let it be a step toward
unity, a stand for justice, and a pledge to revive the ummah.
