Unity and brotherhood in Islam

Unity and brotherhood

Islam is a religion of peace, love and brotherhood. Islam is the only religion which ends the friction between all sections of the society.

The basic sources of the laws of Islam are the Holy Quran and the Hadith (the Prophetic Traditions). Islam grants the same basic rights which the Holy Quran decrees to the Muslims and Non-Muslims both. For e.g. right to life and property, right to religion, construction of places of worship, etc.
Peaceful coexistence is compulsory to maintain peace

It is given in Surah Hujuraat:

The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers: (49:10)

It is given in Surah Ale-Imran:

And hold fast, all together by the rope which Allah (3:103)

Not only does history attest to this, but also this is a common observance that fighting, disputes, bloodshed, etc. are nothing but a punishment for the society. If all this is not stopped as early as possible, then it leads to the destruction of the nation.

Before the arrival of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), in-fighting, wars, which were carried on for generations and civil unrest had driven the Arabs to the brink of destruction. If they had remained in the same condition for some more years, then as per the laws of nature, they would have been wiped off the surface of the earth. But, Allah Ta'ala had mercy on them and raised the Final Prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) from among them. This was a torrent of mercy, which flooded the parched crops of humanity and made it evergreen. The storms of disbelief and of association with Allah Ta'ala were stemmed. The fires of bloodshed and arson went cold, the societal evils were eradicated and the numerous fighting tribes became fast friends. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) made them fall prostrate before the One Lord and threaded them in the unbreakable bond of Iman (faith), which was far more stronger than the weak bonds of family and tribal relationships.

Allah Ta'ala has declared this unity as His favor on them:

And hold fast, all together by the rope which Allah Surah Aale-Imran (3:103)

Indeed, this incredible revolution in the very thinking of Arabs was a favor of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). Just think, the same Arabs who had no concept of peace and security, they were revolutionized to such an extent that a person would go on for miles and miles in lonely valleys and over hills, tossing pieces of gold and no one would even think of hurting that person.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would strictly dislike disunity and enmity. He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would consider this the greatest sin after disbelief and associating partners with Allah Ta'ala. Thus, in many Hadith, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has declared great punishments for those who sow disunity among Muslims.

[To be continued…]