Parvaiz Ahmad Mir
Unity, be it in ideas or any other aspect, is strength and divisions lead to disunity and results in more divisions. Looking at the current scenario of the Muslim World one observes a long list of divisions, be it in ideas, or schools of thought followed, or in other aspects.
Without unity, it will not be an exaggeration to say, Muslims all around the globe being more than a billion in number are useless and valueless. Muslims are like the froth of the sea unless and until they will not stop fighting over small and petty issues. If we remain divided and keep fighting over these small differences, we will ultimately damage ourselves and the result will be a collective failure. There is an old saying “United we stand, divided we fall”. This lovely proverb is much constructive, productive and relevant at all times; it relies on a simple yet powerful juxtaposition of two pairs of opposing terms: ‘stand and fall’ and ‘united and divided’. During the time of the Prophet (S.A.W), Muslims were united, and one of the basic reasons behind this unity was that the Companions of Prophet (S.A.W) were full of sincerity, compassion and love. Same was the case with the theologians of the different schools of thought, who despite their disagreements remained united and were respectful to each other.
One school of thought never asserted its superiority over another because their main purpose was to work for the promotion of Din (Islam) and not for the promotion of their thought, ideology or school. The knowledge they attained hit their heart, so It was like a selfless friend for them and the knowledge we are attaining turns like a serpent because we acquire it for the sake of competition. Rumi, the sagacious sage says, “Knowledge that hits the body is like a serpent and knowledge that hits the heart is like a selfless friend”.
A young p poetess, Intiha Aafreen makes it more clear and puts it beautifully: “Mauje Talatum mai Veeran meri subah shaam, Har sitaaray ko samjta hoon main sitaara apna.” As Muslims, and particularly as students of knowledge, it is an obligation for us to stay united. The differences in understanding a topic should not lead us to break ties or slander one another. Indeed, we are loudly calling for unity over pulpits but it is not going to come without tolerating one another and without loving each other.
We need to understand that everybody cannot have same inclination and thinking. There is a stronger bond than the bond of blood and that is we have same Kalima. Let’s put aside these small differences on belonging to a particular school of thought or ideology, or being affiliated or associated with a particular organization (Hanafi, Shafii, Maliki, Hanbali or Barelwi, Tablighi, Salafi, Deobandi, Ahilhadith, etc.). We have forgotten the real message of Quran that is If God wanted, he could have made every body believe in the same thing. No one on this earth has this right to say that ‘you are wrong and I am right’ or vice versa. Only the Best judge holds this right to judge others, who is right and who is wrong. The Quran makes it clear in Surah Al i Imran: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you -when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour,brothers.
And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire ,and He saved you from it.Thus Allah makes it clear to you his verses that you may be guided”. As Muslims, we should resolve our matters in a brotherly way. We need to understand that love, affection and unity are special favours of God, whether you have come together for the promotion of his Din (Islam) or you live as a family, we should ask God to put love, affection, unity and mercy among us. To conclude, it is not my way or your way; the true unity is in Islam’s Highway.
(Parvaiz Ahmad Mir holds PG in Islamic Studies from IUST Awantipora (J&K). Feedback at parvaezmeer@gmail.com )
