What do we mean by Unity?

There is no good in much of their secret talks, excepting him who enjoins charity and what is right or reconciliation between people, and whoever does that seeking Allah’s pleasure, soon We shall give him a great reward. The Holy Quran 4:114

what is unity?

Definitions:

1 unity is the state of being one;
2 oneness: the quality of being united into one
3 the state, quality, or condition of accord or agreement;
4 singleness or constancy of purpose or action;
5 the combination or arrangement of parts into a whole.

By unity we mean being like minded for a single cause or multiple causes. Islam is a way of life and as Muslims we should involve ourselves at every level of human interaction for enjoining what is good, and alerting people about that which causes harm. That harm could be spiritual or social. Now each, whether Muslim or Non-Muslim, may have their own definition of what is good and what causes harm but we will save that for another discussion.

So what are these causes that we can unite on?

The causes are all outlined in the Quran and the Prophetic lifestyle of Muhammad. But just to name a few; Justice (Adalat), good (Bir), consciousness of Allah (Taqwa) and uniting against ignorance (Jahl) and sin (ithm) and calling people names.

Allah says in the Quran about Muslims who call others non believers-

'Don not say of anyone who offers you salaams, 'you are not a believer', you were once the same. The Holy Quran 4:94

Meaning that once you think yourself a Muslim do not look down on others as if they can never be a Muslim too and even better than you.

Being Muslim does not mean giving up ones personality and straight jacketing everyone to fit a mold. If you like apples and another Muslim does not like apples does it mean you should force the other one to eat apples just because apples are halal(lawful) and healthy? Nor does it mean that we all walk around wearing turbans and trousers up to our shins. If you want to do that fine but unity is a long process and not achieved through wearing certain items of clothing this way or that way. It may be one way to show uniformity but not the only way. Mustahab (recommended) issues should not be made fardh/wajib. Nor should minor arguments be reason to breakaway and form your own masjid.

Areas of Unity

The ideal type of unity as far as Islam is concerned is for human beings to come together as Muslims all over the world in acknowledging that there is no god except Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger and final Prophet to mankind. This is not done by force but by free will. Of course despite saying this we all know that there will always be people who want something else like Christianity etc.

The other types of unity are where despite being from a different sect or religion or political persuasion can agree to work together against certain evils and harms in society like rape, slavery, pedophilia or the many health issues such as aids, malaria, cancer etc.

As well as that we can also form working groups to try and tackle the problems and differences that exist whether between Jews and Muslims, Christians and Muslims, Sunnis and Sunnis, Shias and Shias, Sunnis and Shias. In fact these things are already being done but awareness of it and the possibility and understanding of unity has to be readily available to all.

The Problems

The problems are internal and external historical and current. By internal we mean the obstinate defiance of some to even come to the table to talk over issues which leads to a continued ignorance. And this ignorance is killing people.
By external it means those institutions that are dedicated to any form of Muslim unity and unity of non Muslims with Muslims. They plan by day and by night to cause continued conflict, disagreement and negative views of the other. By historical we mean the differences over leadership, which is discussed elsewhere in the blog. By current we mean the challenges we face as Muslims to show that Muslims have allot to offer and can contribute to a peaceful world just like anyone else and in some cases even more.

Levels of Unity

Unity on conflict resolution.
Unity on the reconciliation of differences.
United against racism towards Jew or Arab or Persian or Black or White or any other form of racism.
United against the killing of Muslims.
Unity against injustice e.g. a sunni Muslim is attacked by a group of shias for being sunni or a group of sunnis attack a shia for being shia, without asking or hearing anything from him in his defence.

Unity is not by force.

If you wish to take no part in the movement for unity amongst humanity then it is your choice.

Or if you call to a different type of unity that excludes all others except those that hold the beliefs of your group, sect or party then that is also your choice.

But if you see unity as being multi leveled where people of different cultures, religions, languages, sects can be unified against a common threat, such as war, anarchy or racism without having to give up their identities, then join us in the spirit of understanding to try and further resolve these and other issues too.

Peace to all.