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Muslims
all over the world are bound together, in heart and in spirit. This
unity is the means of strength for the Muslim Ummah; in fact, it’s a
divine gift that we Muslims must make use of. This unity is also
required as regards relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims, in
the sense that we are all brothers, if not in faith, in humanity. Just
as a Muslim shares the agony of his fellow Muslims, he should also
feel pain for what befalls his non-Muslim brothers.
In
reaction to the present sorry state of affairs of the Muslim Ummah,
it’s very important for Muslims to stand together and be united. We
should live together as a group respecting and caring for each other.
Allah gave us our lives so that we can help one another, and not to
live just for ourselves.
It’s
quite important for us also to realize the significance of unity and
togetherness. Someone may ask, why is it so important to unite? The
answer is very simple: Together we are strong! As one Ummah, we are a
powerful force. This is certainly what the enemies of Islam dread
most. With unity, mutual cooperation will materialize. With unity,
love and affection will prevail in the society.
With
unity, the Muslim Ummah will have a say in the world affairs, and,
most importantly, Muslims will cease to be an easy prey for their
enemies, as is the case nowadays.
Unity
was the driving force behind the mechanism of forming the first
Islamic State in Madinah. It helped the early Muslims gain victory in
all their battles against disbelievers, hence putting an end to
injustice and aggression. So what more do the present Muslims need to
wake up from their sleep? They need to rise up to the present
challenges facing them. It’s not enough for someone to claim that
his cause is right, without having enough power to defend that cause;
and a voice in isolation is always inaudible. So Muslims should get
together and strive in the cause of Allah, Who says in the Qur’an:
[And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends one of
another; they enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and they
establish worship and they pay the poor-due, and they obey Allah and
His messenger. As for these, Allah will have mercy on them. Lo! Allah
is Mighty, Wise] (At-Tawbah 9:71).
One
form of unity is to respond to the present situation of our
Palestinian brothers and sisters, with whom all Muslims should express
feelings of solidarity. All Muslims should do whatever is in their
capacity to help the Palestinian brothers and sisters.
Helping
and supporting fellow Muslims who are persecuted and prejudiced
against is a prerequisite of a sound faith.
Muslims
should first help and support their fellow Muslims physically if they
are able to do so. Muslims should defend them by all available means.
They should fight along with them to ward off any aggression against
their souls, honor, and so on.
If
one cannot support them physically, one should help them financially.
If one finds that unaffordable, one should support their cause by
means of speech, publicizing their rights and making people realize
their agony and feel their pain.
Finally,
if one cannot defend one’s brothers and sisters by means of the
tongue or pen, let one detest and deny the aggression committed
against them. This level is the least of faith.
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