By Yusuf Abdullahi
In the name of Allah who states “Be not like those who are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after receiving clear signs; for them is a clear chastisement” Q3:105
Peace and blessings of Allah be upon His chosen servant, our master Muhammad and his purified progeny.
With the new dimension experienced in the Muslim Arab world last Rabi’ul-awwal, where most of their Muftis issued a new fatwa (verdict) approving the annual Maulud celebration of the prophet’s birthday. Beside declaring the day as work free by their governments, ceremonies were witnessed. Generally speaking, most important issue discussed was that of unity. In line with the annual unity week, initiated by Imam Khomeini, the founder of Islamic republic of Iran, a number of conferences were held in which Muslim scholars and educationists were sensitized on the need to appreciate most disheartening problem leading to divisions and enmity within the Ummah. The week is of the significant legacies of the late Imam (may Allah shower His mercy on him) who set aside twelfth to seventeenth of Rabi’ul – awwal for Muslims to come together to analyze itself vise a vise the prophetic mission. Strict obedience to the message is emphasized, and most importantly, the need for solid unity under the common testimony of faith. The Imam declared the week for the fact that, enemies of Islam use division as a tool for the destruction of the Ummah with the help of misguided Muslims. This is why those committed to the true cause of the religion are devotedly concerned on the point.
The international conference observed with dismay the role of Wahhabism in the divisions and creation of misguided organisations whose activities are very detrimental to the unity and progress of Muslims. The Takfiri movement disowns Muslims of their faith and not only ignores atrocities committed against them, but knowingly and deliberately connive with other enemies to blackmail Islam and shed Muslims blood. They work in the interest of the enemies of Allah whether they accept it or not. Thus, we must continue to pray to Allah the most high to bring an end to their devilish acts! Unity as the central focus of maulud emphasizes the need to shun all trivial issues that divide Muslims. Yes, the factors are neither fundamental nor any tangible branch. Moreover, the programme re-iterates the acute need to hold the teachings of the holy Qur’an as demonstrated by seal of the messengers; “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves” Qur’an 3:103
In the light of the above verse, Imam Suyuty in his tafseer -Durrul Manthur quoted the prominent hadith “O people, I leave amongst you two things which if you follow you will never go astray. They are the book of Allah and my Ahlul-bait – family”. As such, the conference emphasized the the need for keeping the company of the two as highlighted the great Messengeer.
THE ENEMIES’ STRATEGIES
i. Divisions: Apparently, division is the most important tool of the enemies. As the saying goes, united we stand. But divided we fall. With this in mind, they created several barriers within the Muslims especially the Shi’a/Sunna trying to cause a sort of civil war to destroy the Ummah. They used confused and misguided Muslims to execute their devilish plans. One can see the calamities caused against defenseless Yemenis and Bahrainis in the Saudi-led coalition simply because they are Shi’a.
ii. Creation of terrorist groups: Most disheartening, is the creation of such groups to blackmail Islam and massacre Muslims. The enemies had integral role in the creation of the Alqaeda, ISIS/IS, Boko haram and the like. Hundreds of thousand Muslims were killed across the world by these groups beside all forms of inhuman treatments against innocent people.
iii. Connivance in destruction of the ummah: as a marriage of convenience, the enemies within and outside use the available resources in stockpiling deadly weapons which they use against Muslims in Palestine, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Iraq among other countries. Although the terrorist groups have been woefully defeated in Syria and Iraq with intervention of the Islamic republic.
Due to the problems bedeviling the Ummah noted above, both numeric strength and bountiful resources do not count rending the Ummah a laughing stock of its enemies. “Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because of the things your hands have wrought, and for many of them He grants forgiveness” Qur’an 26:31.
AWAKENING
The leader of the Islamic revolution, Ayatollah Ali Khamne’i, building on the foundations of late Imam Khomeini and Shaikh Mahmud Shaltut whose significant contribution cannot be overemphasized. The leader, organises such conferences with a view to uniting the Ummah. The prominent words of the late Imam are still enlightening "those sowing discord along the Sunnah/shi’a divide are neither Ahlus Sunnah nor Shiites! Sheikh Shaltut, the great Egyptian Muslim authority is remembered with his historic verdict in favor of approximation and rapprochement. Born of a family of letters, the late sheikh defined Islamic brotherhood as religious relations that links Muslims’ hearts and makes them a single family. A Muslim is pleased when another Muslim is happy and is grief – stricken when another Muslim is sad. When a Muslim goes astray, other Muslims guide him. In short Muslims should treat their brothers in faith as they desire to be treated. The famous verdict reads “Islam does not oblige any of its followers to obey a certain religious school. Every Muslim can follow any of the religious schools which have been handed down without distortion and the ordinances of which have been recorded in their unique texts. Any follower of any of the four common Sunni schools can convert to any other school. The Ja’fari school, also known as the Twelver school, is one of the schools the following of which is permitted in religious laws just like the following of the Sunni schools. All Muslims are, therefore, advised to admit this truth and to refrain from undue fanaticism and from unjustified prejudices about other religious schools. This is because the shari’ah and the religion of Allah are neither dependent on nor unique to any specific school” -Risalat al Islam, Dar al-Mazahibul Islamiyyah, Cairo; Second edition Page 217, 1411 H. In the last two centuries, issues of transfer from one school of thought or jurisprudence to another are easily traced in history books like the famous “Irshadul Ummah Ila Tayseeril Millah” by Shaikh Usman bin Fodio. Professor Ibrahim Dusuqi of the Qatar University also made a tremendous contribution in this direction.
The effort of Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky is well recognized in this direction. The Unity week, annually organised by the Islamic Movement features Ulama from various Sufi orders, Wahabiyyah, and educationists who deliver lectures with a view to mobilizing Muslims to live to expectations. The holy Qur’an advises Muslim to approach the people of the book -Jews and Christians – in a cordial discuss with a view to drawing them towards Islam. However in such discussion Allah said “Do not argue with the people of the book except in a most kindly manner” Qur’an: 29:46. And if they are convinced and accept the religion, they are highly welcome. In a prominent saying of the commander of the faithful, Imam Ali (AS) said “do not despise a human being; for he is either a brother to you in religion or a partner in creation”
So if the Muslims are encouraged to discuss with non – Muslims on religious matters, how much more between them? As such they are encouraged to improve their brotherly relations at all costs. In a hadith narrated by Imam Hasan al- Mujtabah (AS) shaded more light as he narrated how he witnessed his mother Fatima (AS) daughter of the prophet (S) uttering invocation for her neighbors, believers and other people. He asked her why she did not invocate for herself and she answered “neighbors first and then (the members of) the house. Kashful ghumma: Volume: 2 page: 25
Allah states “The Unbelievers are protectors, One of another; Unless ye do this, (protect each other), There would be Tumult and oppression On earth, and great mischief. Anfal: 73. A good example here is the long standing America – Israeli relations as governments in which the former consistently stand by the latter including the use of its veto power in extreme situations. On the need for the Ummah to remain unconditionally united. As the holy Qur’an encourages Muslim to discuss with non-Muslims, discussion between them is more relevant. So the Shiites may discuss with Sunni and vice-versa. So also between followers of various Sufi orders among themselves and others. However, discussion shall be in the most kindly manner, not on hostile sentiments. In the event of any misunderstanding, the book of Allah shall judge “And if two parties of believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them. And if one party of them doeth wrong to the other, fight ye that which doeth wrong till it return unto the ordinance of Allah” Qur’an: 49:9
Working in the interest of the Ummah must be given priority provided we need to change its deplorable state. And the change must start from ourselves “… verily, never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves with their own souls …” Qur’an 13:11. Those working to the betterment of the Ummah are no doubt the real Muslims with whom Allah and His noble messenger are pleased just as those working on the opposite direction are enemies of Allah, His messenger, Islam and humanity. Therefore, our glory and solution lie in our solid unity and strict adherence to the teachings of the noble Qur’an as clearly demonstrated by the noble prophet. No doubt, that is what will ensure peaceful coexistense, unity and progress of the Ummah in this world and salvation in the hereafter.
While concluding the piece, I wish to reiterate the need for the unconditional release of Shaikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky and his disciples.
Wassalamu alaikum.