Unity among Muslim is a direct command of Allah.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
We acknowledge that in every group there are good people also they work only for islam and remain free from groupism mentality and love all muslims.
We donot know anything about Shias etc and we are not discussing about them at all)
1.The problem of groupism and secterianism among muslims and its bad and confusing impact on general muslims.
1.The problem of groupism and secterianism among muslims and its bad and confusing impact on general muslims.
As unity among Muslim is a direct command of Quran.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yours
elves;” [Al-Qur’an 3:103]
3. Presenting a plan /do something for the unity among muslims.
THEIR REPLY AND ANSWER
The most common answer you will get in reply.
They will tell
” there is hadith that ummat will be divided into 73 Sects, so what to do”
Through this Hadith they will try to prove that
1.Whatever groups/groupism are there is a normal thing, and The blame game between muslims groups/ organizations that is happening on the name of islam is not abnormal.
2.This Hadith is also used to mobilize the sentiments of their supporter/adherents for their group/organisation and at the same time for criticizing and blaming other groups.
3.This group mentality also discourages others if someone tries to do for the unity or for the removal of hatred and jealousy between the supporters/flag bearers of different groups and organization.
4.If you will argue further they will give examples of Qadianis etc............
who are already out of the fold of Islam unanimously by all scholars. And will make you silent by saying do you want to make unity with them............(Nauzu billah we dont want with them But we want all those who are within the fold of Islam and call themselves as Ahle sunnat Wal Jamaat.)
There is no organized effort among muslims for bringing unity
/decreasing the mistrust/hatred and jealousy among groups,
the direct command of Allah.
If you see the affairs of muslim groups and their leaders, No one is doing concrete for the unity among ummat e muslima, or even decreasing jealousy and hatred among muslim groups. They must be having in their heart this concern but they are not doing anything on the ground.
Some sporadic/individual efforts are there but there is no organized or systemic effort for this cause.
Let us analyse these issue in light of Quran & Ahadith.
For understanding, we are dealing the issue under following subheadings.
1. Hadith of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam regarding 73 Sect.
2. The related Quranic Ayats and Ahadith on the topic.
3. The division into 73 is a prediction.
4. This division has not been liked by Quran and Sunnah and no way it is normal and to be tolerated.
5. The meaning of this hadith in relation to present day sects/groups and organization.
AHADITH ON THE 73 SECTS
أخبرنا أبو العباس قاسم بن القاسم السياري بمرو ثنا أبو الموجه حدثنا أبو عمار : ثنا الفضل بن موسى عن محمد بن عمرو عن أبي سلمة عن أبي هريرة : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم قال : افترقت اليهود على إحدى و سبعين فرقة أو اثنتين و سبعين فرقة و النصارى مثل ذلك و تفترق أمتي على ثلاث و سبعين فرقة (المستدرك)
“Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) relates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: ‘The Jews were divided into 71 or 72 sects as were the Christians. My Ummah will be divided into 73 sects.” (Al-Mustadrak)
The hadith of our beloved Prophet is in Hadith book Abu Dawood:
In this hadith the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, “My community will be split up into seventy-three sects.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood Hadith No. 4579)
2) Another Hadith is there in Hadith book Tirmdhi Hadith no 171 Narrated byAbdullah ibn Amr
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: There will befall my Ummah exactly (all those) evils which befell the people of Isra'il, so much so that if there was one amongst them who openly committed fornication with his mother there will be among my Ummah one who will do that, and if the people of Isra'il were fragmented into seventy-two sects my Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in Hell Fire except one sect. They (the Companions) said: Allah's Messenger, which is that? Whereupon he said: It is one to which I and my companions belong.
(Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171)
Islam believes in fostering unity amongst its followers.
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;” [Al-Qur’an 3:103]
There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying ‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’.
The Glorious Qur’an says:
“As for those who divide Their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: Their affair is with Allah: He will in the
end tell them the truth of all that they did.” [Al-Qur’an 6:159]
This hadith reports that the prophet predicted the emergence of seventy-three sects.As it has been predicted by prophet it is sure that it will happen and Ummah will be divided into 73 sects.
But he did not say that Muslims should be active in dividing themselves into sects.
We should do our best to stop it as whosoever will become one of the deviated 72 will go into Hell.
And It is duty of all muslims to save every person from going to Hell.So as Last ummati and no prophet will come it is our duty to try for every person to enter into paradise. This was the mission of our beloved prophet (S.A.W.)
Making sects has not been liked by Quran and Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam
The Glorious Qur’an commands us not to create sects. Those who follow the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, and do not create sects are the People who are on the true path.
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;” [Al-Qur’an 3:103]
Qur’an says call yourselves Muslim
Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33 says
“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, ‘I am of those Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?’ ”
[Al-Qur’an 41:33]
Muslims are single brotherhood.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) states;
إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
“Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other)” [Al-Anbiyah: 92]
Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu alaihi wasallam) taught us,
المسلم أخ المسلم ، لا يظلمه ولا يخذله ولا يحقره
“The Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, he doesn't oppress him, neither does he hand him over to the enemy, he doesn't disappoint him, nor does he humiliate him.”
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) states;
هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمينَ
22:78 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline): He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (Revelation); that the Apostle may be a witness for you and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer give regular Charity and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector the Best to protect and the Best to help!
Any disagreement which exists, is something which can be referred to the divine texts,
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ
4;59 O ye who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves refer it to Allah and His Apostle if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best and most suitable for final determination.
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) states;
إِنَّ هَذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ
“Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other)” [Al-Anbiyah: 92]
Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu alaihi wasallam) taught us,
المسلم أخ المسلم ، لا يظلمه ولا يخذله ولا يحقره
“The Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, he doesn't oppress him, neither does he hand him over to the enemy, he doesn't disappoint him, nor does he humiliate him.”
Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’aala) states;
هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمينَ
22:78 And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive (with sincerity and under discipline): He has chosen you and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion; it is the cult of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (Revelation); that the Apostle may be a witness for you and ye be witnesses for mankind! So establish regular Prayer give regular Charity and hold fast to Allah! He is your Protector the Best to protect and the Best to help!
Any disagreement which exists, is something which can be referred to the divine texts,
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ
4;59 O ye who believe! obey Allah and obey the Apostle and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves refer it to Allah and His Apostle if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best and most suitable for final determination.
Biggest question of the day Rather question of this century and millennium.
Which one among the group/subgroups of muslim world of today which one is Ahle sunnat Wal Jamaat on the path of Rasulullah and Sahaba.
Certain things of this issue is quite clear
2. Those who are involved in open Shirk and Innovations and deviations that has no proof in Quran and Sunnah and from Salfussalehin,they are in great Danger and Should repent and should ask forgiveness from Allah.No group label/Group name/ or claim will save them.
1.There are certain differences that are natural and permissible.
Ash-Shafi'i (ra) states in his book Ar-Risalah;
“Disagreement is of two types:
One that is Haram and the other is not.
Everything that Allah established by the definite proof (Hujjah) in His book or clearly stated by His Prophet is Haram to disagree over by the one who knows of it. As for that which can be understood differently or by analogy, since the text can bare it…there is room for [disagreement] unlike in the clearly stated.”
2. Aamong present day Mainstream Sunni Muslims Groups/ organisations.
(Although each group present Horrible and Dangerous Picture about other group)
But actually most of the cases their differences have basis from Quran and Ahadith and comes under category of Permissible differences.
So all groups/Organisation/Sect who come under category of Permissible differences are Saved Sect of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.
It is certain that it will include many Groups/Organisation of present day Muslims.
2. Aamong present day Mainstream Sunni Muslims Groups/ organisations.
(Although each group present Horrible and Dangerous Picture about other group)
But actually most of the cases their differences have basis from Quran and Ahadith and comes under category of Permissible differences.
So all groups/Organisation/Sect who come under category of Permissible differences are Saved Sect of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat.
It is certain that it will include many Groups/Organisation of present day Muslims.
2. Those who are involved in open Shirk and Innovations and deviations that has no proof in Quran and Sunnah and from Salfussalehin,they are in great Danger and Should repent and should ask forgiveness from Allah.No group label/Group name/ or claim will save them.
3.The Sunnah of the Messenger (SalAllahu alaihi wasallam) permitted disagreements in the branches or Furoo.The disagreement that existed among the Sahabah were in the Furoo', not in the Usul (foundations of the Deen). No condemnation was made about such disagreements in the Furoo’.
2) The followers of the Companions (Tabi'een), the generation that followed them, and the scholars of the Salaf (predecessors) accepted the disagreement in the Furoo’ but not in the Usul ud-Deen (foundations of the Deen).
2) The followers of the Companions (Tabi'een), the generation that followed them, and the scholars of the Salaf (predecessors) accepted the disagreement in the Furoo’ but not in the Usul ud-Deen (foundations of the Deen).
3.Subsequently, the great Mujtahideen of Islam differed on many aspects of the Deen, but they were again in the branches and not in basics.
4. The differences among the four Imam are in branches those who follow a particular Madhab, such as the Shafi’i, Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki are not different group rather they are one and Ahle sunnat Waljamaat. And As all the Fuqhah/Muhaddethin/Imams including great four Imams are Salfus Saliheen so All are in one group even if they differed in branches of deen. They are in Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat that is Saved sect.
Below is the commentry from Quran on the subject.
If two Islamic Scholar/ group/school of thought stays united in and around the Holy Qur'an and at the same time, continues to accept the explanation and detail coming from the Holy Prophet and Salfussalehin and then, on the basis of God-given natural ability and intellectual quality, expresses differences in opinion about subsidiaries of religion, in which case, this difference will be natural and Islam does not forbid it.
The difference among the blessed Sahaba and their Successors, and among leading juristic authorities was of this nature. It was nothing but this difference that was called a 'mercy' for the community.Difference among the four great Imams are of this category.
However, if these very subsidiary debates will be invested with the status of the mainstream of religion, and differences arising out of them were to become a cause of controversy, confrontation, insult and vilification, then, this too will be considered blameworthy.
(From Maariful Quran of Mufti Shafi Usmani/Taqi Usmani in English)
(From Maariful Quran of Mufti Shafi Usmani/Taqi Usmani in English)
May Allah give us taufeeq to be on the path of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Sahaba and save from fire of the Hell.
And Allah knows the best.