The blessings of unity among Muslims - An example from Islamic history

 

The blessings of unity among Muslims

 

Waaqidi has also related that Sa’eed bin A’amir gathered an army of 1000 from Makkah and Taaif and started to aid the army of Hadhrat Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Jarrah.  He first came to Madina to seek the permission of Hadhrat 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him).  Hadhrat 'Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) gave him some instructions and advice.  Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) was also present there.

 

At the end of the meeting, Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) told Sa’eed bin A’amir:  O Sa’eed!  Remember the instructions and advice of the Caliph.  He is the one with whom the number Muslims reached 40.  His status is such that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said about him:  If you follow him, you will be on the path of guidance.

 

Hadhrat ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) also said:  When you meet Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Jarrah, tell him that if there is any problem, he should write to the Caliph and call me.  Allah-willing, I will rout the whole of Syria….

 

Glory be to Allah!  This is called following one’s leader.  Continuously reports are being received that today so and so city was conquered and so on.  This is increasing the enthusiasm of Muslims.  Khalid bin Walid and other brave-hearts of Islam (May Allah be well pleased with them) are displaying their courage.  One man is fighting against 1000 and routing them all.  Here is ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him), who is by himself an ocean of strength and courage.  It is also true that he can rout the whole of Syria singlehandedly, but he is seeking the permission of the Caliph to participate in the war!....

 

It is easy to dispute such Traditions, but if one reflects over them, these very Traditions will seem true.  If there wasn’t such unity among the Companions and such obedience to their leader, then those great empires of the world could never have been defeated.  The resources of Muslims when compared to their financial and military resources were negligible and no more.  It was not possible at all that these empires could be conquered.  The fact is that mutual opposition reduces one’s impact and influence as Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

 

….and do not quarrel amongst yourselves lest (growing disunited and weak) you become timid and your impact (i.e., power) loses ground (before your enemy)…Surah Anfaal (8:46)

 

[Excerpted from Maqasid Ul Islam, Vol. 5]