fyi, As Salaam Alaikum,
Al-Islam is a religion of unity and universal rights. Muslims universaly have the obligation to perform Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, if they are able. On Hajj Muslims have the universal right of equal access to Masjid Haram, the Prophets Mosque and every other Masjid that is open for worship. Where then is the unity and respect for the universal rights of Muslims in masjids where the leadership blocks access to the masjid, and oppresses the Worship of Allah, by dictate?
Peace, Curtis Sharif
Houston, Texaas
10 Things You Can Do To Develop A Culture Of Muslim Unity
by Abdul Malik Mujahid
The sight is always amazing.
Pilgrims standing shoulder to shoulder, of all shades and races,
dressed in simple white, stripped of all kinds of worldly barriers, be they
of wealth, profession, geography, class, education or other.
This enduring image of Hajj has become a hallmark of this Ummah's unity
in its diversity.
But as we head towards the journey of a lifetime or watch loved ones
leave for it in these next few days, the challenge remains: how do we
retain this culture of unity that marks Hajj?
How do we keep the bonds of Islamic brother/sisterhood intact to
fulfill our goals as an Ummah, especially in North America, where our
diversity is even more marked than in other parts of the world?
Here are ten practical ways you and your community can build unity:
1. Understand that Muslim unity is not an option
It's become cliché to say that Muslims have reduced Islam to rituals
and forgotten other important tenets. While it is crucial to practice the
five pillars of Islam, for instance, we cannot ignore other basic
aspects of the faith that emphasize brother and sisterhood.
Muslim unity is a Fard (obligatory duty) according to the Quran and
Traditions of the Prophet Mohamed (peace and blessings be upon him).
Consider the following references below:
From the Quran (49:10): The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So
make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers;
and fear God, that ye may receive Mercy.
Also from the Quran (3:103): And hold fast, all together, by the rope
which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves;
and remember with gratitude God's favour 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 God make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.
From the Hadith:
In their love, kindness and compassion for each other, the believers
are like a human body: when one part of it is hurt, the rests sympathizes
with it in wakefulness and fever (Bukhari, Muslim).
2. Reflect on Hajj as a time for Muslim unity
Use this time on a personal basis, as well as within your family and
community to remind Muslims of how the Hajj is a unifying factor for
Muslims. Hold a family meeting about this topic. Organize a seminar at your
mosque about how Hajj is a beautiful symbol of Muslim unity. Make sure
your speakers are those who have performed Hajj and can attest to this
fact. Also brainstorm practical ways the lessons of unity from Hajj can
be implemented in your community throughout the year and come up with
an action plan in your community.
While you're planning, make Dua for unity throughout this period (the
first 10 days of Zul Hijjah, which is a blessed time).
Say the Masnoon Takbirat and add Talbiyah to it which is "Labbayk
Allahumma Labbayk, Labbayk la sharika laka Labbayk, Innal hamda wanni'mata
laka walmulk La sharika lak". The translation of the Talbiyah is: O my
Lord, Here I am at Your service, Here I am. There is no partner with
You. Here I am. Truly, the praise and the provisions are Yours, and so is
the dominion and sovereignty. There is no partner with you."
Say it with your children and family and think about its meaning,
remembering that you are at Allah's service and we cannot serve unless we
are united.
3. Learn tolerance towards other points of view
Isn't it interesting that we can attend classes at college or speak
with colleagues from work and discuss issues while being willing to
disagree with them? But the minute some of us step into a mosque or Muslim
community function, all that tolerance seems to go out the window.
Islam is very broad and wide, contrary to popular belief, and you can
find a range of scholarly views on issues as diverse as how to place our
hands during prayer to whether or not Muslims should participate in the
American political process. If our scholars from the past and present
have shown such tolerance towards differing views on various issues, who
are we, the average Muslim, who do not have that level of knowledge, to
express intolerance for another point of view?
To understand this point thoroughly read the book Islamic Awakening
Between Rejection and Extremism by Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.
4. Learn to criticize without hurting
The way some Muslims criticize each other, you'd think they were
talking to an Islam-basher instead of a fellow brother or sister. This type
of ignorant behavior is a sure way to create anger, hurt and dissension.
It is no route towards unity.
We must learn the Adab (etiquette) of criticism, whether it is towards
individual Muslims or our leaders. Knowing and implementing this will
not only help solve problems in a practical manner, but it will also
lead to a greater sense of brother and sisterhood in the community.
If you feel that your criticism of someone in the past was rude or
hurtful, please go back and apologize to them. Before you do that, pray for
that brother or sister, since the Prophet has said that Dua increases
love between people.
5. Avoid taking a strong position on smaller points
There is what's called a "Fiqh of priorities" and this essentially
means that there are some aspects of Islam that are more important than
others. For instance, it's more important to emphasize that Muslims
establish prayer than whether or not there should be a curtain between men
and women in mosques.
Knowing what our priorities are will help us avoid making secondary
issues of the faith factors of division in our communities. Muslim
leaders, especially, must not only understand this, but implement it in their
communities across North America so that small differences do not kill
Muslim unity.
6. Do not call anyone a Kafir
This horrible phenomena of calling fellow believers Kafirs must end if
we want to create a climate that is conducive to unity. Kafir-calling
is a sure way to isolate individuals from the Muslim community. We must
remember that Muslims in North America come from all cultures and
socio-economic backgrounds, whether they were born and raised in the faith
or reverted to it. If a person is expressing ideas that are not in line
with Islamic values, s/he must be gently corrected. Kafir-calling will
only fuel their ignorance, anger and stubborness, not to mention
humiliate and embarrass them.
The Prophet warned that if one person calls another Kafir and the
person called that is not one, the individual who made the accusation is a
Kafir, Given this warning, isn't it sad that there is an organization in
Egypt which calls itself the Party of Declaring Others Kafirs (Jamat
Takfeer wa Hijra)?
7. Reaching out across ethnic boundaries
The ignorant practice of maintaining "ethnic mosques" is, Alhamdu
lillah, slowly but surely disappearing in North America. But there is still
a long way to go. All of our institutions, functions and communities in
general must become more ethnically diverse and open to the needs and
concerns of Muslims of all backgrounds. Muslim leaders and individuals
have a duty to ensure that no Muslim, regardless of their ethno-cultural
background, feels shut out of the community, ignored or neglected.
This can only be done by Muslim leaders and individuals taking the
first step and reaching out to Muslims who may have been traditionally
isolated because of ethnicity in mosques and other institutions. It is not
enough to just open the door to all. A direct effort has to be made to
solicit feedback, advice and support from all Muslims so that they feel
a part of the community.
Another, more personal way of reaching out is to invite Muslims of
diverse backgrounds to your home for food. Extend this invitation to
non-Muslims as well to break barriers and share Islam.
8. Heed the advice found in Surah Hujurat
This 49th chapter of the Quran provides excellent guidance on the kind
of behavior that Muslims should avoid to establish Muslim unity. For
instance, Allah, advises us to avoid mockery, defamation and suspicion.
These are all things which serve to divide us and create hatred, hurt
and dissension.
Discuss the themes of Surah Hujurat relating to Muslim behavior in
family meetings, study circles and classes for young and old Muslims,
Khutbas, talks, etc. in your community to share this Divine wisdom with all.
Whenever you recall that you have done Gheebah (backbitten someone)
against a Muslim or non-Muslim, you should remember that you need to seek
that person's forgiveness. Doing this is a prerequisite to washing off
that sin.
9. Share these tips with a wider audience
Share the above-mentioned tips with fellow Muslims in your community.
This can be by suggesting the Khateeb during Friday and Eid prayers use
this article as a topic for his sermon. Or you can print this out and
hand it out to worshippers or publish it in your local or mosque
newsletter. It's also important to discuss it in various Muslim settings to
start the thinking and reflecting process amongst Muslims.
10. Make Dua for unity
Ask your Imam to emphasize unity as an Islamic duty in his Khutbahs and
suggest practical ways it can be achieved in your country or Islamic
organizations.
Also, suggest to Muslims going for Hajj to make special Dua for Muslim
unity. When the Hajis return from the pilgrimage, the Prophet has
encouraged us to go forward to receive them and when we receive them, to
request them for Dua as well.This is another opportunity to seek Duas for
Muslim unity.
Finally, make sure that you as an individual are not only working for
unity but making Dua for it as well, since results are all in Allah's
Hands.
In The Name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful
--Moderator--
QuranicStudy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QuranicStudy/
***************************************************************************
{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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