Iqbal, Quran and Muslim UnityBy Dr. Mansoor AlamMuslims are supposed to work together towards a common goal set by the Quran and shown by the Prophet (PBUH) through his Sunnah. They are brothers and sisters because they are bonded by the common ideology of the unity of God and the unity of humankind. These are the foundational principles of Islam. The Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) require Muslims to work for the unity of the Ummah. Muslims are required to be merciful towards each other (The Quran (48:29)) and be like the body where if any part hurts the whole body should feel the pain (Hadith). But, are Muslims practicing this injunction of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH)? Muslims and various Islamic organizations are working hard but it is frustratingly obvious that the above goals are ever so illusive. Instead of Muslims being united in mercy towards each other, they are, on the whole, far from it. Instead of feeling the pain and misery of other Muslims (Chechens, Palestinians, Kashmiris, for example), most of us are happily enjoying our material comforts of life. Is Muslim unity only a dream that cannot be fulfilled? Many argue that all this talk of Muslim unity is out of date. Islam may have once united Muslims but present reality makes it impossible. They say it is nice talk, which makes Muslims feel good but an unrealistic goal that cannot be achieved. Muslims spend (and have spent) a lot of their time and emotional energy debating this issue.We will come back to this fundamental question- is Muslim unity possible, and if it is, then how to achieve it? But first, let us find out the present state of Muslims and compare it with the Iqbals visionary diagnosis of their problems.Muslim misery and suffering is as common today as it was in the days of Iqbal. Every day that passes brings more death and destruction to Muslims, only at a much wider scale. It is sad to see Muslim governments collaborating with non-Muslims to inflict damage and suffering against fellow Muslims. Many Muslim groups are also engaged in fighting against each other in many parts of the Muslim world. And in some countries where Muslims are in minority, their condition is even worse. As a minority they are systematically being subjected to discrimination, humiliation, persecution, torture, and rape. One wonders: is it ever going to end?When Greeks attacked Turkey in 1923 (at the behest of the British) Iqbals heart started crying. He knew that it was not just an attack on Turkey, but it was an attack on Islam itself. He tried to free the Muslim mind from the prevailing colonial mentality and from Muslims own narrow self-interests. He wrote the poem "Tolu-e-Islam" which later became one of his classic works. [Copies of this poem were sold and all proceeds were sent to Turkey.] He said:"Hawas ne tukre tukre kar diya hay nau insan ko ukhuwwat ka bayan ho ja mohabbat ki zaban ho ja ye Hindi, wo Khurasani, ye Afghani, wo Turani tu ay sharmindayeh sahil uchhal kar bekaraan ho ja" "Greed has torn apart humankind. You (Muslims), become role models of love and brotherhood. Get beyond the narrow boundaries of nationalities (like Indian, Khurasani, Afghani, and Turkish) and jump into the limitless ocean (of Islam)."Observing the present situation in which Muslims find themselves today, Iqbals soul must be feeling extremely restless. Alas! There is no Iqbal today among Muslims who can guide the Muslim Ummah against the forces that are bent on its destruction. But the Muslim Ummah can also be torn apart due to internal conflicts.In fact, this is what is happening to Muslim Ummah today. Probably, there are no people in the world today who have been as divided as Muslims. They are divided along religious, political, ethnic, cultural, racial, linguistic, and sectarian lines. These divisions extend further into subdivisions. Status, wealth, fame, and fortune have also created social differences among Muslims. Muslims are divided at the root into Sunnis and Shias. Sunnis are further divided into Hanafi, Maliki, Shaafai, and Hanbali. Shias too are divided into Kesania, Zaidia, Imamia or Ithna Ashari, Ismalia, etc. Sunnis are also divided into Ahle-hadith and Ahle-fiqha. In the Indian subcontinent (at least) Ahle-fiqha are further divided into Deobandis and Barelwis. Similar differences exist in other places as well. Are all these divisions and differences schools of thought as many Muslims claim? Whether or not we admit it, these differences and divisions do create physical, emotional, and psychological barriers amongst us. Iqbal says that these differences create prejudice in human beings:"Shajar hay firqa arayee, taassub hay samar iska ye wo phal hay jo jannat se nikalwata hay adam ko" "These divisions are the branches of a tree; its fruit is prejudice. This is the fruit which gets Adam (man) expelled from Jannah (peaceful life)."Although in North America we do try to work together (despite our religious differences) in a civilized manner, but our brothers and sisters back home are not that fortunate. There, these differences sometimes lead to violence and killings. Why is that despite clear warnings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) against it? Is it due to the prejudices that are the inevitable results of our divisions, as Iqbal mentions in the above poem?With all these divisions and differences, can we progress in the world? Iqbal does not think so:"Firqa bandi hay kaheen aur kaheen zatein hain kya zamane mein panapne ki yahee batein hain" "Somewhere are religious divisions and somewhere are differences based on caste. Is this the way to prosper in the world?"He further says:"Tum syed bhi ho Mirza bhi ho Afghan bhi ho tum sabhi kuchh ho batao ki musalman bhi ho" "You are Syed; you are Mirza; you are Afghan. You are everything. Tell me, are you Muslim too?"Here Iqbal uses the word "Syed" to represent the caste system that has penetrated Muslims (especially in the Indian subcontinent because of Hindu influence). He uses the word "Mirza" to represent the ruling elite and the word "Afghan" to represent the differences in Muslims based on region, language, and race.All these differences are anti-Quranic. When Iqbal poses the question, "Tell me, are you Muslim too?" he implies that those who feel proud and superior compared to other fellow Muslims because of these labels attached to their names (and not because of Taqwa), they are not entitled to be called true Muslims.Quran says that those who create differences in the Deen (Islam) are among the Mushrikun:"Be not among the Mushrikun i.e., those who create differences in Deen (Isalm) and become sects. Each (sectarian) party quite content with itself (that it is following the correct path)." (30:32)"And those who create division in Deen (Islam) and become divided into sects, O Prophet (PBUH)! You have no part in them in the least." (6:159)The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said:"Anyone who gets even one feet away from the Ummah has taken out the Islamic yoke from his neck, even if he prays and fasts." That is why Quran calls upon all Muslims to be united and hold on steadfastly to the rope of Allah (i.e. Quran) and gives a stern warning to them not to create any divisions (3:103) amongst themselves.If we look at the global picture as a whole, we find that the number of Muslims has grown steadily to more than a billion today. Muslims possess the richest resources of the world and the most fertile lands of the earth. In spite of this, how ironic that the most vulnerable and the most dependent people on earth are also Muslims.Coming to the religious level, we find that the number of mosques is growing everywhere. The number of Muslims going to mosques is also increasing. The number of Muslims performing the annual pilgrimage increases every year, and in fact, has to be controlled to restrict the number. The number of Muslim organizations has been growing steadily. Whenever some differences arise among Muslims in one organization, they create another one and build another mosque. Noticing such an abundance of religious fervor among Muslims, Iqbal was led to say:"Masjid to banadi shab bhar mein imaan ke hararat walon ne man apna purana papi hay barson mein namazi ban na saka" "Those with fervor in their faith built the mosque in a night, but the heart is sinful and did not prostrate in years."Now, let us come to the real question. In spite of all the speeches and the sermons exhorting Muslims to unite, we see that the result is disappointing, to say the least. Why is that? The only way to diagnose this problem is to find the root cause according to Iqbal. We will have to go deeper into our hearts to find out the root cause of our problems. If we look only at the outside, then just like a tree, we will see its trunk, the branches, and the leaves. And if the roots have become infected with a disease, no matter how strong the rest of the tree is, sooner or later it is going to die. Actually, its demise may be hastened even by a moderate wind. No amount of nourishment given to the branches and leaves will help prevent its final demise. Obviously, the source to which we must turn to find out the root cause of the problem must provide the necessary guidance to diagnose it. According to Iqbal, the necessary guidance to diagnose all our (not just Muslims but entire humanitys) ills is contained in the Quran:"Wahi derina bimari wahi namuhkami dil ki ilaj iska wahi aabe nishat angez hay saaqi" "It is the same old disease, the same psychological problem of the heart. The cure is also the same, Aab-e-Nishat i.e., the Quran."Quran says:"O mankind! There has come to you a guidance from your Lord and a cure for the disease in your hearts." (10:57)Thus according to Quran and Iqbal, the disease of all our problems lies in our hearts and therefore, the cure should also begin there. Iqbal says:"Zaban se kah bhi diya la ilaha illah to kya hasil Dil-o-nigah Musalman naheen to kuchh bhi naheen" "What can you accomplish by saying la ilaha with your tongue? If your heart is not a Muslim, then it is nothing." That is, the Iman should enter the depths of the heart. Simply saying that I believe is not enough, according to the Quran (49:14).The Quran says:"Among human beings are those who say We believe in Allah and the Last day; but they are not among the Momins." (2:8)Those born in Muslim families cannot claim to be Momins (just like the bedouoins of Arabia) unless Iman has entered their hearts."The bedouins say, We believe, (O Rasool) Say to them that you dont believe, but you have accepted to surrender (to Islam) and Iman has not yet entered the depths of your hearts." (49:14)Also, Iman is not blind faith. The Quran clearly says that Iman becomes strong only with knowledge,"And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowed may know that (Quran) is the Truth from your Lord, so that they may believe in it and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it." (22:54)Therefore, the heart must be kept humble and open, so that Iman acquired by the mind (knowledge) may enter the heart. Iman cannot enter those whose hearts have disease and those who have sealed and hardened their hearts (22:53).Quran says the Momins have dignity and power over others:"If you are Momins, then you will have dominance and power." (3:139)And unbelievers will never be able to subdue and dominate Momins:"And never will We grant to the unbelievers victory and domination over Momins." (4:141)Obviously, if we as Muslims compare ourselves with these very clear verses of Quran, then we have to come to only one conclusion that we are not among the Momins which the Quran talks about. Majority of our hearts are not open and humble. In fact, Quran tells us that instead of making the heart open and humble, there are some who let their emotions and ego control them. It says:"Have you seen the one who has taken his own emotions as his god." (25:43)Iqbal says regarding this type of person:"Zabaan se gar kiya tauheed ka dawa to kya hasil banaya hay bute pindaar ko apna khuda tu ne" "What is the benefit if you claim with your tongue in oneness of God? You have made your emotion an idol and taken it as your god."How many of us (besides practicing the five pillars) are willing to go deep down in our hearts and honestly admit that we follow our emotions more often than we follow Allah (i.e. Book of Allah)? Allah demands total and complete surrender of our wills:"O you who believe! Enter in Islam completely." (2:208)Therefore, the problems which we Muslims are facing today are the outward symptoms of the root cause, i.e., the internal friction in our hearts between obedience to Allah and obedience to our own emotions and egos. And it is this internal conflict that is referred to as the disease of the heart by the Quran. Iqbal too espouses this same theme of the Quran when he says:"Batil du-ee pasand hay haq la sharik hay shirkat miyan-e haq-o-batil na kar qubool" "Batil (as opposed to Haq; the Truth) likes to compromise but Haq is uncompromising. Do not accept the middle ground between Haq and Batil."Therefore, as long as we Muslims keep compromising the TRUTH contained in the Quran, there is no hope for a cure of our collective mental, psychological, and emotional ills. We do not know how many psychological, emotional, and mental forms of idols we carry all the time in our hearts and minds. Quran demands us to cleanse and purify our hearts from all kinds of Ilah. These subtle forms of shirk are addictive and like a slow poison have a deadening effect on our hearts and minds. Iqbal in his unique God given style says:"Dile murda dil naheen hay ise zida kar dobara ki yahee hay ummaton ke marge kuhan ka chara" "The deadened heart is not a heart. Make it alive again. This is the only way to cure the age old diseases of nations." How to revive and resuscitate the dead heart; Iqbal says it is only possible through Quran:"Gar tu mi khahi Musalman zeestan neest mumkin juz ba Quran zeestan" "If you wish to live the life a Muslim, then it is not possible except by the Quran." Aisha (R) said: "The Prophet (PBUH) was a walking Quran." Thus the Sunnah is to live by the Quran and not just read it for earning reward for the hereafter.Iqbal says about our Sahaba (R):"Wo muazziz they zamane mein Musalman hokar aur tum khwar huey tarike Quran hokar" "They had dignity and power in the world because of Islam. And you are suffering humiliation and defeat because you have left the Quran."Quran says that our Prophet (PBUH) will complain to Allah:"And the Prophet (PBUH) will say: "O my Lord! Truly my people took the Quran for just foolish nonsense (i.e., they left the message of the Quran)." (25:30)But Iqbal also emphasizes that there are plenty of roadblocks in the path of the Quran. No less is the roadblock presented by some religious scholars in the name of Islam. Iqbal says:"Khud badalte naheen Quran ko badal dete hain huwey kis darja faqeehane haram be taufiq" "These people dont change themselves but they change the Quran (by their interpretations). How unfortunate are these custodians of haram (Islam)."He further says:"Ahkam tere haq hain magar apne mufassir taaweel se Quran ko bana sakte hain Pazhand" "O Allah! Your guidance is no doubt The Truth. But our interpreters can turn Quran into Pazhand by their interpretations." [Pazhand is the book compiled by the followers of Zoroaster which according to them is the interpretation of Avesta, the book of Zoroaster in which his followers inserted their own thoughts.]And finally, Muslims should always keep in front of them the following verse, which describes the law for change:"It is a fact that Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they bring about change in their own selves." (13:11)Iqbal echoes exactly the same message of the Quran in his own God given style when he says:"Khuda ne aaj tak us qaum ki haalat naheen badlee na ho jisko khyal aap apni haalat ke badalne ka" Let us conclude with the folowing message of Iqbal:"Manf-e-at ek hai is qaum ki nuqsaan bhi ek ek hi sab ka nabi deen bhi iman bhi ek harame paak bhi Allah bhi Quran bhi ek kuchh bari baat thi hote jo Musalman bhi ek" "There is one common gain and one common loss for all Muslims. (Remember the Prophets hadith that all Muslims are like a body.) One Prophet (PBUH) for all and one Iman for all. One Kaaba, one Allah and one Quran for all. How great it would be if Muslims also were one!" Let us pray to Allah to unite our hearts in the path of Islam. It is Allahs promise that if we do that, then we will regain our dignity, power, and glory (24:55). And Allah does not break His promise (2:80).[republished with author's permission from www.tolueislam.com]Date/Time Last Modified: 6/3/2004 8:12:01 AMThe Importance of Unity of the MuslimUmmahPublished Feb 27, 2006 E-mail Print By Areeba Hasan "And hold firmly to the rope (His covenant or the Qur'an) of Allah all together and do not become divided." (3:103)Allah (SWT) makes it clear in the Qur'an that unity of the Muslim Ummah is very important. He tells us not to be divided and to hold tightly to the teachings of the Qur'an. Unfortunately we Muslims have divided ourselves into different sects. We bicker over trite issues that hold no meaning and do not benefit the Ummah in any way. Muslims have forgotten what Allah says in the Qur'an about unity and its importance.Today, if the Muslims look at themselves they will see a group of people separated from one another. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Believers are like the parts of a building, each one supporting the other." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)How can we support each other if we are not united? How can we love each other like brothers and sisters in Islam if we hold misconceptions about each other in our hearts?The answer is simple: We, as the Muslim Ummah, have to overcome the minor and irrelevant differences that separate us. If we are able to do that we will notice that all Muslims believe in the same things: Tauheed (the oneness of Allah), all the Prophets (peace be upon them all), all the holy Books, all of Allah's angels and the day of judgement. Not to mention that every Muslim tries to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.Muslims should understand that unity is what will make us move forward in this world. Today the Muslim Ummah is behind in everything. Education, technology, trade and, most importantly, our faith. Non-muslims may not believe in our faith but their unity has made them come very far. Remember the era when the Muslims were united and held on to Allah's rope tightly? The Islamic empire spread from the east to west and Allah blessed them with wealth, fame, victory and honor. Muslims need to be united now more than ever. We have to think about what we will and we can do to make our lives in this world and the hereafter better and blessed.Browse more...Features Skip Navigation A Lesson From The Life Of... Ask Mazzin the Moose More Features SubscribeNews feeds More from More Features

Halloween: The Scariest Night:Feb 18, 2008 Learn some spooky facts about Halloween. Boo! By Sakina bint Erik Marx. The Basics Of: Zakah:Mar 12, 2006 Do you know the importance and benefits of zakah? Read along to find more about one of the five pillars of Islam. By Abu Maryam. The Importance of Unity of the Muslim Ummah:Feb 27, 2006 By Areeba Hasan. activity adventure birds crossword fasting greed happy knowledge physics pirate prayers prophets sad space story Category: Religion and Philosophy The topic of my article is 'Unity among Muslim Ummah'. Unity is a small word but vital for the glory of nations. Unity among the Muslim Ummah had never been so direly needed as today.The Muslim Ummah seriously lacks unity which has made the Muslim lobby so weak that they are unable to help even their own brothers. That's why today, the Christians, Jews and Hindus are free to humiliate the the Muslims, destroy the Muslim culture through crazy media. They have occupied the lands of Muslims by force, calling them terrorists. The problems of ..Kashmir.., ....Palestine...., Indian Gujarat, ....Chechnya...., ....Iraq.... and ....Afghanistan.... are worsening day by day. There are wide spread violations of basic human rights. The torch bearers of peace and prosperity like ....USA.... and ....England.... are silent. Who is responsible for this all? No doubt, we, the Muslims are the criminals. We have broken the strong bonds of Ittehad bain-ul-Muslimeen and spread our hands in front of others. We have accepted the friendship with those people who are enemies of Islam according to the Holy Quran. I would conclude by requesting the Muslims of the world to reunite and follow the right path as laid down by the Quran and Sunnah.

A struggle for UNITY of UMMAH

Nations owe survival to unity. The Muslim Ummah passed through a bleak period of disintegration after the fall of Ottoman Caliphate and was divided into various sects. This disunity resulted into intellectual decline, perversion, loss of cordial values like sincerity, patience, tolerance, self-sacrifice. Owing to mutual disharmony, Muslim Countries were subjugated one after another by the enemies. Consequently, the Ummah at large is surrounded by problems and worries at present. It is the height of misfortune and disunity that in case of attack on one Muslim country, another Muslim country signs co-operation pact with the invader and provides all kind of support for it. Recent Iraq-Iran, Iraq-Kuwait wars and attacks on Iraq and Afghanistan are instances of this regrettable fact. In these circumstances when unity of Ummah has been totally shattered, any attempt to unite the Muslims on a single platform is indeed a divine blessing.The Unity of Muslim Ummah is the Conceit Dream of islamic world, There are compassionate muslim leaders being always ardent to complete this interpretation. Sultan Muhammad Ali took up the responsibility of this work and also organizing the seminars in big cities of country(Pakistan) with the title of "Struggle for Unity of Muslim Ummah".

They tried to remember the forgeted lesson of unity of muslim nation of islamic world with the concloement. we welcome by heart to Sahibzada Sultan Muahammad Ali for this noble struggle and also prays for the remaissance of completion of these strives in favour of islam. Struggle for this noble cause has been initiated from the shrine of a well renowned saint Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahu.Efforts of Islahee Jamaat and Aalmi Tanzeem-ul-Arifeen in this regard are quite evident. In these circumstances when unity of Ummah has been totally shattered, to unite the Muslims on a single platform we are organizing Seminar with the title Struggle for Unity of Ummah under the plateform of Islahee Jamaat every year all over the country in major cities to underscore the need and importance of unity among the Muslims. Message (Sultan Muhammad Ali)One of the greatest blessings of Allah that He created us all as human beings and then he further blessed us with the honour of being Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (blessing and salutation be on him), for whom everything has been created as Allah said! Had I not created you (the Holy Prophet (blessing and salutation be on him)), I would not have unveiled Myself.

Scriptures of history are witness to the fact that the Muslims were successful as long as they remained sincere, active and their characters were embellished with cordial virtues like purity, veracity, honesty etc. However, they were doomed to descent and humiliation when they turned blind to these attributes. The moment our enemies had an opportunity, they entangled the Muslims in sectarianism, mutual bickering and subsequently we were divided. The Muslims started targeting their brethren and we are totally disintegrated now. Consequently, Islamic values were not only tarnished but also rendered ineffective. Our worship did not yield the desired fruits. We had to face degradation and disgrace all around.

Allah has ordained us not to be passive and sullen and has assured us of victory provided we are true believers (Momin).

Therefore if we shun lethargy, hypocrisy and purify our outer as well as inner selves, all our woes and worries would be over.

We all are Muslims having one Allah, one Prophet and one Book as Iqbal said:

Our Divine Book is absolute and perfect, above any change. It is source of light and guidance for the whole humanity till Doomsday. It is preserved in our hearts as Allama Iqbal explains the relationship between man and Quran in these words:

If we analyze our own condition in the light of assurance by Allah that we will be victorious, then the question arises why we are not dominant in the world. But for that we will have to ask ourselves if we fulfill the condition of being true believer (Momin).

My dear compatriots and brethren, when a nation or Ummah does not have unanimous opinion, one objective and unity and above all, when worship too is offered as a mere ritual, then that Ummah can by no means avert wrath and curse of Allah.

We lack fraternity and are against our own brethren; our social, economic, political, moral systems are against the Quranic injunctions; for us rule, wealth, property, materialism, greed, avarice are all. With such an abject, bleak and regrettable condition, we cannot avoid the condemnation of Allah. We need to be united first to revive and strengthen our own faith and then to restore the lost glory of the Ummah.Let usJoin hands, equip ourselves with the outer (worldly)as well as inner (spiritual)resources/might and strengthen our faithto neutralize the intrigues of the opponentsand to revive the glory of Islam.

I am always optimistic about the future of the Muslim Ummah as Iqbal said:

Efforts in this regard are quite evident, In these circumstances when unity of Ummah has been totally shattered, to unite the Muslims on a single platform we are organizing Seminar with the title Struggle for Unity of Ummah under the plateform of Islahee Jamaat every year all over the country in major cities to underscore the need and importance of unity among the Muslims.

Unity of the Muslim Ummah - A Vital IssueIslam has also made the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the unity of the Islamic State one of the vital issues; an issue of life and death. This includes the prohibition of having more than one khalifah, the prohibition of dividing the Ummah into more than one political entity, and the prohibition of rebelling against an imam that implements Islam.First, Islam prohibited the existence of more than one khalifah for the Muslims. That is, the Muslims must only have one state. It has been narrated by Abdullah Bin Amr Bin Ul-Aas (ra) that RasulAllah said:"He who pledged his Bay'a to an Imam giving him the clasp of his hand and the fruit of his heart shall obey him as long as he can, and if another comes to dispute with him, you must strike the neck of that man." [Muslim]Abu Said Al-Khudri narrated that RasoulaAllah said:"If a Bay'a has been taken for two Khalifahs, kill the latter of them." [Muslim]Hence, he made the unity of the state a vital issue when he prohibited the existence of more than one khalifah for the Muslims and ordered the killing of anyone who attempts to establish a separate rule, unless he retracts.Second, Islam prohibited the division and fragmentation of the Muslim Ummah. It has been narrated on the authority of Ajrafa (ra) who said: I heard RasulAllah say:"He who comes to you while your affair has been united under one man, intending to drive a wedge between you or fragment your group, kill him." [Bukhari & Muslim]Furthermore, Ziyad Ibn Alaaqah (ra) narrated that RasulAllah said:"There will be bad and evil things happening, and who wants to fragment this Ummah when it is all united, strike him by sword whoever he is." [Muslim]So, he made the unity of the Ummah and the unity of the Muslim state a vital issue when he prohibited the fragmentation of the Ummah and ordered the killing of anyone who attempts to divide it, unless he retracts.Third, a rebellion against the Imam of the Muslims, namely the Khalifah, is forbidden, due to the fact that rebellions lead to the disunity of the Muslims, the shedding of their blood and the squandering of their wealth. Allah revealed: "If two factions from among the believers fall into a quarrel, make peace between them; and if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the one that transgresses until it complies with the Command of Allah." [Al-Hujraat, 49:9]Al-Qurtubi in his tafseer states that this is an evidence for the obligation of fighting those who transgress and rebel against the Shariah and a just imam (ruler) while refusing to repent. RasulAllah said:"He who rebels against my Ummah while they are united, strike his neck with the sword whoever he may be." [Muslim]Consequently, Allah prohibited the Muslims from having more than one state or one Khalifah (ruler). Allah also prohibited the Ummah from rebelling against the khalifah and causing division within the Ummah. Allah made this unity an obligation and a vital issue when He made it an issue of life and death.Throughout the history of this Ummah, the Muslims viewed the issue of unity to be the most important and most critical of matters. They never used to be lenient on this issue towards any Muslim whoever he might have been. Ali (ra) was never lenient with Muawiyyah, nor were the Ummayyads or the Abbasids lenient with the Khawarij. Before liberating Al-Aqsa and defeating the Crusaders, Salah-ul-Deen and and his uncle Imad-ul-Deen Zinki worked tirelessly to unite the Ummah.However, when the Khilafah became weak and the understanding of Islam declined, Muslims kept silent over the breakaway of Islamic lands from the body of the Khilafah. Thus, a wedge was driven between the Muslims and the Khilafah state fragmented into many insignificant countries. This occurred despite the fact that the breakaway of any country from the body of the Muslim state is a vital issue, which stipulates either the repentance of the rebels or the waging of war against them - regardless of the cost in lives or wealth.Unity According to IslamTherefore, it should be clear that the unity Islam calls for is a matter of life and death. However, this unity is not the unity of separate Muslim countries where each is ruled by an independent ruler with some form of a union. It is also not a unity based on economics or currency. It is not a unity based on agreements or treaties between separate Muslim countries. All of these are non-Shari'e forms of unity that only serve to distract Muslims from the correct form of Islamic unity. The unity that Islam obliges upon all Muslims is the unity of all Muslim lands under one state ruled by a single Khalifah (ruler). That is "One Aqeedah, One Ummah, One State". This is the true meaning of Muslim unity that we must adhere to and advocate amongst the global Muslim community. We must elevate the issue of uniting the Ummah from where it is today to where it was during the time of the Prophet and the generations that followed. As RasulAllah and his companions did, we must not accept anything less than the comprehensive implementation of this obligation.