Ale-Imran, 3:102-104

102-O ye who believe! fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam.

103-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.

104-Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong; they are the ones to attain felicity

1. Uniting Force – ‘The Rope of

Allah’

Uniting force that brings Muslims together to form

an Ummah is the strong faith and love for Al-Quran

and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

This is quite evident from the model of Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH), since he called the people to

submit to Allah (SWT) and accept Islam as their

way of life.

Those who accepted this message became part of

the Islamic Ummah, regardless of their race, color,

or tribal background.

2-Taqwah is required quality

Taqwah is the basic quality required to be

part of this Ummah.

The more is one equipped with this quality, the

better he or she will be in the performance of

obligations, commitment, and devotion for

the cause of the Ummah.

Conversely, if these quality become

weakened in an individual, one’s relation

and devotion for the Ummah will

deteriorate

3. Dawah

Ummah must engage in a continuous struggle

to invite towards goodness, enjoin what is

righteous, and forbid evil.

This struggle must continue within the Ummah

in the form of Muhasibah (accountability),

Tazkia, and

Jihad (striving for excellence) outside the

society at large

Response to Islamic Dawah:

1. A true believer- These are true assets for the Ummah, and one must always search for them and make them part of Dawah

2. Believers, though they may be hesitant, should be invited and motivated to be part of Dawah movement.

3. Believers, hostile due to some prejudice, misconception, or impressed by secular philosophies. Again, one should extend Dawah to this group with wisdom, love, and prayers. But if there is no sign of change, rather stubbornness is increasing, then one should pray for such a person and leave him alone for a while.

4. Non-believer who may be unaware of Islam or hostile. An Islamic struggle has to develop an effective methodology for Dawah to this large audience, especially in the West. This task has to be carried out as Prophet of

Anfal,8:46

And obey Allah and His apostle; and fall into no

disputes lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and

be patient and persevering: for Allah is with those who

patiently persevere.

Anfal, 8:46

Yunus,10:19

Mankind was but one nation but differed

(later). Had it not been for a word that

went forth before from thy Lord their

differences would have been settled

between them.

Al-Baqarah,2:213

Mankind was one single nation and Allah sent Messengers with glad

tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth to

judge between people in matters wherein they differed; but the

People of the Book after the clear Signs came to them did not differ

among themselves except through selfish contumacy. Allah by His

Grace guided the believers to the truth concerning that wherein they

differed. For Allah guides whom He will to a path that is straight.

Present divisions of Muslims

Religious: Divided into several schools with

stress upon:

a-minor issues

b- no tolerance to differences.

Political:

a-International- division into several states.

b- National- dominated by ignorance

Economically: divided into

a. haves b. have not.

Divided states of Muslims

Socially: divided on the basis of

Tribes

Color

Descent

Language

Place

Cast

. Profession

Some causes of divisions

Baghy- transgression against others by

political,

religious and

economic exploitations.

Selfishness.

Hypocrisy

Causes of Divisions

Arrogance.

Greed

Boasting (Ria)

Jealousy and envy.

Prejudice- racial, ethnic, creed.

Foundation of relations in

Ummah

The believers are brothers. (Al-Hujurat, verse

10)

• This verse establishes a universal

brotherhood among all Muslims of the

world.

• That is why the strong brotherhood that

develops among Muslims is unparalleled

Allah(SWT) puts this love in the

hearts

And (moreover) He hath put affection

between their hearts: not if thou had

spent all that is in the earth couldst

thou have produced that affection but

Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in

might Wise. Anfal 8:63

Prophet (SWT) explains brotherly

love

• The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said that, “You see the Muslims in mutual kindness, love, and care like one body. When one part (of the body) is sick, all other parts of the body share loss of sleep and fever.” (Bukhari)

• Anas (r.a.a.) reported from the Prophet (p.b.u.h) that he said, “Whosoever possesses three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith 1) love Allah(s.w.t.) and his Prophet (p.b.u.h) more than everything else, 2) Whosoever he loves, it is only for the sake of Allah, and 3) He hates returning back to disbelief like he hates falling back in the fire.”

Ahadith on brotherly love

• Abu-Hurairah (r.a.a.) reported that Prophet

(p.b.u.h) said, “Allah will say on the day of

Judgment, ‘Where are those (Muslims) who used

to love each other for my sake. I will keep them

beneath my shade, when there is no other shade

today other than that’.”

• Mu’az bin Jabal (r.a.a.) reported that Prophet

Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said, “Allah (s.w.t.) said, ‘My

love is obligatory for those who love (each other)

and meet for my sake and spend their money for

my sake’.”

Brotherhood and caring for each

other is one of the sign of true

Iman.

Those who believe and adopt exile and fight for the

faith in the cause of Allah as well as those who give

(them) asylum and aid these are (all) in very truth the

believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a

provision most generous. Anfal 8:74

Three aspects of this

relationship:

1. Akhu’wah or brotherhood

• They do not allow anything to jeopardize

this relation.

• They are willing to sacrifice anything to

maintain this relation.

• They are always looking forward to be of

any service to their brothers and support

them in need.

• They have full trust upon each other

2- Hubb or Love-

But those who before them had homes (in Medina)

and had adopted the Faith show their affection to

such as came to them for refuge and entertain no

desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter)

but give them preference over themselves even

though poverty was their (own lot). Hashar 59:9

3- Wilayah or close alliance and

trust

Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah His

Apostle and the (fellowship of) believers those who

establish regular prayers and regular charity and they bow

down humbly (in worship).As to those who turn (for

friendship) to Allah His Apostle and the (fellowship of)

believers it is the fellowship of Allah that must certainly

triumph. Maida 5:55, 56

Duties of brotherhood

Imam Ghazali (RA)

1- Material assistance

2-Personal aid

3- Holding one’s tongue

4- Speaking out

5- Forgiveness

6- Prayer

7- Loyalty and sincertiy

8- Informality

Difference between Ikhtelaf and

Khilaf

Ikhtelaf- It is justifiable difference of opinion and

includes exertion of sincere intellectual effort to

arrive at a judgment. It must fulfil 2 conditions:

1-Each disputant must have evidence or proof

(dalil) to authenticate his argument.

2-Divergent opinion should not lead to anything

false. If the opinion is obviously false from the

beginning, it must be abandoned right away.

The jurists adhered steadfastly to these two

conditions.

Etiquettes of Genuine Ikhtelaf in

Islam

• Sincere intentions and good purpose-

• Patience.

• Acceptance of good opinions from others-.

• Express opinions politely and with proper mutual respect-

• Conclude the meeting with unanimous or majority decision.

There is no ill will against any one.

There is sincere dua for all the participants and for the Jama’ah

Khilaf or Conflict

It represents dispute which departs from one or

both conditions mentioned above.

It is a manifestation of impulsiveness and

obstinacy.

It has no relation to objectivity.

Causes of Conflicts (Khilaf)

Hypocrisy:

The Hypocrites men and women (have an

understanding) with each other: they enjoin evil and

forbid what in just and are close with their hands. They

have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily

the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse. Tauba 9:67,

68

2- Greed.

Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent our signs but

he passed them by: so Satan followed him up and he went astray.

If it had been Our will We should have elevated him with our

signs; but he inclined to the earth and followed his own vain

desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him he lolls out

his tongue or if you leave him alone he (still) lolls out his tongue.

That is the similitude of those who reject our signs; so relate the

story; perchance they may reflect.

Araf 7:175,176

3- Arrogance. (Kibr)

Not so Iblis: he was haughty and became one of

those who reject Faith.

(Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from

prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with

My hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the

high (and mighty) ones?"

(Iblis) said: "I am better than he: Thou created

me from fire and him Thou created from clay. Saad

38; 74-76

4- Boasting, desire for notoriety

(Riya).

"And they are commanded no more than

this: to worship Allah, sincere in their faith

in Him alone" [al-Bayyinah 5].

5-Jealousy or “Hasad”

1 Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn

2 From the mischief of created things;

3 From the mischief of Darkness as it

overspreads;

4 From the mischief of those who practice

Secret Arts;

5 And from the mischief of the envious one as

he practices envy

Ahadith of the Prophet(s.a.w.)

concerning Hasad

• “Protect yourself against Hasad. It eats up your good deeds just like fire eats up the wood.” Abu Dawud

• Abu Hurairah (r.a.a.) reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said,” Do not pry, do not interfere in someone’s business matter, do not be jealous, do not have vendetta, do not be indifferent to each other and do not be greedy. Be like true servants of Allah (s.w.t.) and be brothers.” Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkat

• “Diseases of the previous nations have affected you. These are Hasad and animosity. They are like shavers. They do not shave hairs, they shave your Deen.” Ahmad, Tirmizi,

6- Prejudice.

Prejudice against other persons could be

based upon race, ethnicity, sect, national

origin etc.

Due to this prejudice, one may say things

or take actions which are contrary to the

best interest of unity.

This could lead to grouping and division of

the Ummah.

Islamic teachings uproot all kind of

prejudices and declare all human beings to

be one family.

7-Deception or Fraud

Muslims are forbidden to deceive their brothers in conversations, in personal or business dealings.

They are not to give false information, lie or mislead them.

When a person is found committing such acts, there can not be any mutual trust left in these relations. When there is no trust, there can not be any mutual love.

Sufyan Ibn Asad (r.a.a.) reports that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Greatest dishonest act is this that you tell your brother a lie but he believes it to be the truth.” Mishkat

How to resolve the conflicts?

If two parties among the Believers fall into a quarrel make ye peace

between them: but if one of them transgresses beyond bounds against

the other then fight ye (all) against the one that transgresses until it

complies with the command of Allah; but if it complies then make

peace between them with justice and be fair: for Allah loves those who

are fair (and just).

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. Hujurat 49: 9, 10

A- General Steps.

1- Think positive and have good estimation of

the disputing person’s thoughts and actions.

2- Good communication. One should keep the

lines of communication open and try to remove

any misunderstandings.

3- Always have good will for others and keep

the heart clean of any ill feelings.

4- Always make dua for others especially with

the person with whom there is dispute.

B- Specific Steps

1- Personal contact- Many of the differences

could be resolved by personal meeting.

2- Mediation- An arbiter should listen to both

sides and try to give a just verdict. Both parties

should listen and accept the decision with open

mind.

3- Arbitration- Arbitration committee should

listen to both sides, look at the evidence and

then come up with a verdict. This must be

binding upon the parties in dispute.

4- Disciplinary action