1. Introduction
When we Muslim started scrutinizing factors of our lacking behind of other nations we have came to some understanding. When our lands are being attacked by foreign nations and occupied one after another and our children being massacred by the imperialists we understand one of the major reasons of our this situation is that we are not united. Although cause to all our problems are much more vast and solution remain to very same reason but after each attack or failure every Muslim come realize need for Muslim unity after understanding Allah’s saying:
“And hold fast all together by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you) and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love so that by His grace ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of fire and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make his signs clear to you: that ye may be guided". (TMQ Ale-Imran: 103)
In this verse ‘rope of Allah’ means Allah's covenant. And ‘be not divided among yourselves’, orders sticking to the community of the believers and forbids division. Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
It pleases Allah for you to acquire three qualities and displeases Him that you acquire three characteristics. It pleases Him that you worship Him Alone and not associate anything or anyone with Him in worship, that you hold on to the Rope of Allah altogether and do not divide, and that you advise whoever Allah appoints as your Leader. The three that displease Him are that you say, `It was said,' and, `So-and-so said,' asking many unnecessary questions and wasting money.
Yet, as days are passing by Muslims are getting more and more divided. The division is multidimensional. The reasons of these divisions could be many such as languages, ethnicity, nationalism and sectarian beliefs etc. so let us understand reasons and myths behind division of Muslim.
Given false reasons of disunity:
1. Division among Muslim because of Language, ethnicity etc
2. Division among Muslim because of difference of opinion
Reasons of disunity:
1. Division among Muslim because of weak understanding of Islam
2. Division among Muslim because of nationalism
3. Division among Muslim because of foreign Power and influence on Muslim land
4. Division among Muslim because of different political leadership and authority
2. Given false reasons of Muslim disunity:
2.1 Division among Muslim because of Language, ethnicity etc.:
Division among Muslim due to difference of language, ethnicity and culture is considered as an obstacle to Muslim unity. This is so definite that Islam is no stranger to different peoples, customs, cultures and languages. Since the early days of Islam, as the Islamic lands expanded people of different denominations all became Islamic subjects. Islamic rule under the Abbasids reached lands where the inhabitants of other religions clashed with the thinkers and scholars in the conquered territories. It was this clash that resulted in the development of the rational sciences, i.e. the studying of the aqeeda of Islam. The development was also due to the need for presenting the Islamic belief with rational evidences. As a result, disciplines became divided into branches and Islamic disciplines became diversified accordingly. These disciplines dealt with many issues and were enriched every time the conquests expanded further. As a result many Muslims in the state began to devote themselves to the disciplines, sciences, study and research. A multi-faceted Islamic culture took shape within the Islamic lands, so the people dedicated themselves to learning it to elevate the Khilafah. Every scholar, whatever type of culture he or she specialized in, and every writer, whatever their literary approach, and every mathematician, scientist or artisan, would debate and articulate Islam due to this clash. That’s why we see example of scholars like Al Bukhari , Al Tirmidi and Al Kurtubi, scientist like Ibn Sina and Al Razi etc. reached on the top of all other even though none of them were Arab in origin.
Islam came to solve human problems and Islamic System is made by Allah in a way that unifies people of different land, origin, ethnicity and language without any hesitation. Islam does not attempt to unify its followers by blind faiths of nation states by promoting slogans like “glory to the motherland or homeland is above all”. Rather unity of Islam is unity of its aqeeda. Moreover, Islam is not an individualistic religion. Unlike many other way of life, Islam emphasis on collectivity. Maximum rituals of Islam e.g. Salah, hajj etc. are collective rituals. Likewise Islam is not a religion of a set of few rituals. Islam is broad and it is the only true ideology to solve human problems. So along with all other laws, Islam gives importance on Muslim brotherhood and unity. Islam came on a time when Arab used to fight for nothing and they used to kill each other for little reason. Arab used to fight years after years. They were filled with hatred for each other. Islam unified them under banner of Islam. Not only Arabs, non Arabs came under shade of Islam and became one whole body. Allah describes the believers as being brothers. Muslims share the same beliefs, work towards the same goals and share the same code of behavior. Allah says:
“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.” [TMQ Al-Hujurat 49: 10]
So, it is definitely false to say division among Muslim due to ethnic or linguistic reasons. These differences were in Islamic society for over thousand years yet they were united.
2.2 Division among Muslim because of difference of opinion:
Difference of opinion in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) also has shown as a major reason of disunity. So Sunni-Shi’a conflicts and different schools of thought like Jafarari, Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hambali etc. are considered as major reason of disunity. This thought is a myth instead of a reason and difference in opinion is not an obstacle of Muslim unity. It is observed that every ideology is united in a basic issue regardless of difference of opinions. In every ideology there exists difference of opinion on solutions built upon the creedal dogmas. In democratic countries, numerous schools of thought have arisen due to differences in interpretation. In the US today we have Democrats and Republicans. In the UK we have Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. Across the Western world we have neoconservatives as well as libertarians, Fabians, environmentalists and Christian Democrats. All differ in the manner that liberal ideas should manifest themselves but they all have secularism which is the aqeeda of the Capitalist system as their basis. Socialism also had a number of schools of thought built upon their aqeeda. Advocates of Socialism saw the injustice that resulted from the concept of ‘Freedom of Ownership’ and concluded that the difference in private ownership between people was the problem that required a solution. The communist school advocated practical equality in everything and absolute abolition of private property. The agrarian socialists proposed abolishing private property in agricultural land only. Then came a third socialist school of thought known as state Socialism, where private property was transferred to public ownership in the name of public interest i.e. nationalization in every situation where “public interest” called for it. So Islamic ideology is built on its aqeeda that is, “there is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his messenger.”
Now, if we look at this over hyped so called reason of disunity comparing with Islamic history, it becomes clear to us that “difference of opinion” is a myth of disunity not a true reason. Prophet (saw) said:
“Difference of opinion in my Ummah is a blessing”
So, therefore there is scope of difference of opinion in Islam where it is permissible to have two or more opinions. If we read the Islamic history and the development of Islamic Jurisprudence, we will realize that the difference of opinion was existed throughout the Islamic history since the prophets (saw) time and it was never been a real cause of disunity. Although disunity occurred several times because of difference of opinion but they were temporary and always been resolved in short period of time. Sunni-shi’a conflict is not an historical truth (as it shown by oriental historians) The prominent Ahle Sunnah Imams of Islamic Jurisprudence, Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi'e and Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (May Allah shower His mercy upon them) were interconnected and they learnt Islamic Jurisprudence from Imams of Ahle Bait (family of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon him). For example, Imam Abu Hanifa was a student of Imam Ja'ffar us Sadiq. Sunni and shia co-exist in same society with harmony over thousand years. They married each other and they had no real problem until imperialists pushed and used both sides after destruction of Khilafah.
So, it is very much clear that difference of opinion is not a reason for disunity while all Muslim believe in same god Allah, same messenger Mohammad (saw), same qur’an and same judgment day. This artificial problem will be solved once a real Islamic authority is re-established.
3. Real Reasons of Muslim Disunity
3.1 Division among Muslim because of weak understanding of Islam:
The weakness that overtook Muslims in understanding Islam in a proper way has leaded a massive disunity among Muslim. Concept of one Ummah seems like no more exits intellectually, although it remains as emotional issue still. So when a new shock is occurs in the Muslim world it shakes Muslim which is not enough to fulfill the requirement.
It is not Islam that is the cause of divisions but the absence of Islam that causes problems. A pertinent example of this is the attempts by the Western world in imposing secularism as the model to deal with the Sunni and Shi’a problem. Such an approach is alien to the people involved in the conflict and rather than solving the conflict it is in fact placing it in the private sphere ensuring it has no influence in polices in the public sphere. The original dispute over the successor to the Prophet Muhammad (saw) can in reality only is solved by assessing the Islamic evidence in this regard, from this perspective only Islam can ever is the solution. The actions of some Muslims in the past against the Prophet’s (saw) family, the actions of Mu’awiyah and history generally are not sources of Islamic jurisprudence and hence cannot be the reference point. The reference point in this case would be the Qur’an and the hadith and naturally different interpretations can occur here, which is the case with all jurisprudence. However, interpretation is not a limitless process and there are rules for interpretation. So, unity can be built on Muslim Ummah by restoring original teaching of Islam. The current generation of Muslim is far away from the original teaching of Islam. That because current generation did not receive any thought from older generation. So they do not hesitate to give up Islam and adopt other ideology. There is a need of elevation of Ummah’s thought like early generations who understood need for unity from the Islam which can be done by implementing Islam in society. Islam has not thought disunity; rather intellectually weak understanding of Islam has leaded this massive destruction. So it is beyond doubt that restoring system of Islam by Khilafah is the only solution to this problem.
3.2 Division among Muslim because of nationalism:
Islam came to dominate over all over the world. It is a universal ideology which unified people of different ethnicity, colour, culture and language under same banner. These issues were never been a problem in Islamic history and nationalism is not related to those. Rather nationalism is a new phenomenon in Muslim lands which is a product of corrupt capitalist system. Nationalism or tribalism is a real obstacle for Muslim unity which needs to be demolished by proper implementation of Islam. Islam obliges Muslim to have a strong brotherhood with fellow Muslim; therefore Muslim must be careful of matter that all Muslims around the globe are our brothers as long as they are strict to the Islamic aqeeda. Muslims are obliged to love fellow Muslim brother’s regardless ethnicity, colour or region. Islam rejects all such types of bond, while capitalist philosophy teaches us to be bonded such. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
“He is not one of us who calls for ‘asabiyyah, (nationalism) or who fights for ‘asabiyyah or who dies for ‘asabiyyah.” [Abu Dawud]
We must work for this unity of aqeeda ordered by Allah and this unity will bring our revival. We must understand solution to our problems lies to Islam. Prophet (saw) said:
“The Muslims are one Ummah (nation), there land is one and there war is one”
So, it is very clear that Islamic teaching does not allow nationalism, which is a real source of disunity.
3.3 Division among Muslim because of foreign Power and influence on Muslim land:
In the colonial era colonialists started creating divisions in the Muslim world by establishing ‘small, unstable states’ following their “divide and rule” theory which was to ensure the Muslim world never can unite. France and Britain prior to World War 1 had already carved up the Middle East amongst themselves. They drew lines on paper maps and created Transjordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran. Pakistan, India and Afghanistan were later created which separated people who had lived for hundreds of years together. Colonial powers still influence and control Muslim lands directly or indirectly which is a big reason of disunity among Muslim.
So, to restore unity it is very necessary to remove their power and influence whether it be direct or indirect from our land which can be done by real Islamic state. Puppet rulers and puppet states had failed to remove foreign power and influence from Muslim lands because of insincerity. So it became a key point for Muslim realization of revival by restoring real authority.
3.4 Division among Muslim because of different political leadership and authority:
Unity in the past was built upon Islam and it turned the Islamic lands into prosperous societies which welcomed all and excelled in various fields. Hence the absence of Islam, which is what the colonialists worked for, is the reason why over 57 nations exist where one nation once stood. So we saw, the British Foreign minister addressing the Prime Minister shortly before World War II:
“We must put an end to anything which brings about Islamic Unity between the sons of the Muslims. As we have already succeeded in finishing off the Caliphate (Khilafah), so we must ensure that there will never arise again unity for the Muslims, whether it be intellectual or cultural unity”.
Difference in political leadership and authority is the sole reason for Muslim disunity. The Ummah globally has clearly seen that the traitor rulers who are appointed by colonialist are not representatives of her. In fact a widening gulf now exists between the rulers and the Ummah. Considering the lengthy period of decline the Ummah underwent she has never been so united. All that remains in the final part of the jigsaw which protects unity is a state.
A government built upon the ideals society believes in, ensures unity is created and protected. The Sahabah dealt very harshly with the Khawarij who introduced foreign ideas into Islam which would have created disunity. In later period, when Salahuddin Ayubi took step to re-conquer Al-quds, prior to it he destroyed Fatimid state that was creating disunity of Ummah. Same way, every time when there was an attempt of disunity Rulers of Muslim took step to bring back unity. Hence, Ummah remain united for over thousand years until colonialists took our land and divided us into small nation states. Without a state it is virtually impossible to have unity. It is a state that brings unity amongst people. As Islamic history has shown Islam has detailed rules for unity and integration and actually has a successful track record of uniting people from different backgrounds. The disunity we see today was created by the West and continues to be fed by them.
So only a global state for Muslim i.e. Khilafah can bring back unity of Muslim Ummah. Disunity occurs due to different leadership and authority but Islam has prohibited more than one leadership for Muslim. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "When the oath of allegiance has been taken for two Khalifs, kill the latter of them". [Muslim]. And Afrajah said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say: "Whosoever comes to you while your affairs has been united under one man, intending to break your strength or dissolve your unity, kill him." [Muslim]
We should remember how the Sahaba remain united after death of prophet (saw). It is true that it is narrated that Al-Habbab Ibn ul-Munthir (ra) said when the Sahaba met in the wake of the death of the Prophet (saw) (at the thaqifa hall) of Bani Sa'ida:
"Let there be one Amir from us and one Amir from you (meaning one from the Ansar and one from the Muhajireen)".
Abu Bakr replied: "It is forbidden for Muslims to have two Amirs (rulers)..." Then he got up and addressed the Muslims. [‘As-Sira’ of Ibnu Kathir, ‘Tarikh ut-Tabari’ by at-Tabari, ‘Siratu Ibn Hisham’ by Ibn Hisham, ‘As-Sunan ul-Kubra’ of Bayhaqi, ‘Al-fasil-fil Milal’ by Ibnu Hazim and "Al-A'kd Al-Farid" of Al-Waqidi]
It has additionally been reported in "as-Sirah" of Ibnu Ishaq that Abu Bakr went on to say on the day of Thaqifa: "It is forbidden for Muslims to have two Amirs for this would cause differences in their affairs and concepts, their unity would be divided and disputes would break out amongst them. The Sunnah would then be abandoned, the bida'a (innovations) would spread and Fitna would grow, and that is in no one's interests".
So it has happened to be disunited when we chose to have more than one leader by the force of colonialists. So we have to learn from mistakes work for bring back our unity.
