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Solidarity among Muslims is a Shari`ah-based
obligation, enjoined by Allah Almighty in the Qur'an and in the Sunnah of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is also urged by the
sense of brotherhood among Muslims, and the general welfare of the Muslim
Ummah also requires this. There are many forms of solidarity, according to
different circumstances, traditions, ages, and places.
Allah (Exalted and Blessed be He) says: [By
the declining day, Lo! man is in a state of loss, save those who believe
and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another
to endurance] (Al-`Asr 103:1–3).
In this short Qur'anic surah, Allah Almighty
declares that there is no way for success, profit, good reward, and
deliverance from all forms of loss except in true faith in Allah, good
deeds, and mutual advice to truth and endurance in defending it. The
reality of things from the time Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him) up till now is the best witness to the message
included in this noble surah and a firm proof of it.
When, after the Prophet's death, Muslims
started to violate the great principles of Islam, they suffered from
controversy, disunity, and enmity, as we all know. In fact, there is no
therapy for such suffering except for Muslims to turn to the basics of
Islam, stick tightly to it, work in accordance to its tenets, and make it
the guide and reference in their conflicts. Allah Almighty says: [But
nay, by thy lord, they will not believe (in truth) until they make thee
judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no
dislike of that which thou decidest, and submit with full submission]
(An-Nisaa' 4:65).
Allah also says: [O
ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those of you who
are in authority; and if ye have a dispute concerning any matter, refer it
to Allah and the Messenger if ye are (in truth) believers in Allah and the
Last Day. That is better and more seemly in the end]
(An-Nisaa' 4:59).
Cooperation in Piety and Goodness
There are also many Prophetic hadiths
concerning the issue of solidarity in Islam, which means cooperation in
the cause of piety and goodness. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) said, "Indeed, the religion is counseling." The
Companions asked, "To whom, Messenger of Allah?" He said, "To
Allah, His Messenger, the rulers from among the Muslims, as well as their
common folk."
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
also said, "The relation of a believer to his brother in faith is
as strong as a building whose parts support one another." While
saying so, the Prophet held his fingers tight as a sign of solidarity.
Moreover, the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) is reported to have said "The solidarity of Muslims in
their mutual love, mercy, and sympathy, is that of a body; if an organ
aches, the whole body sympathizes with it with sleeplessness and fever"
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
These hadiths and others with the same content
explicitly indicate the obligation of mutual solidarity, mercy, sympathy,
and cooperation among Muslims in the cause of goodness. The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) compared the Muslims once to a building and
once to the body. Such images indicate that mutual solidarity, mercy, and
cooperation will gather the Muslims on the same word and the same
principles, and thus they will unite in their stance against the enemies
of Islam.
The imam and guide of the Muslim Ummah in its
honorable call to goodness is the great leader, Prophet Muhammad (peace
and blessings be upon him). He is the first who called the Muslim Ummah to
worship Allah alone and hold fast to the way of Allah. He united the Ummah
under the banner of truth to stand firm in the face of their enemy and
defend their fair rights in the face of tyranny, as indicated in Allah's
Words: [Call unto the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way]
(An-Nahl 16:125). Allah also says: [Say:
This is my Way: I call on Allah with sure knowledge, I and whosoever
followeth me] (Yusuf 12:108).
The Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased
with them all) and their righteous successors followed in the footsteps of
the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and they were overwhelmingly
successful, and Allah Almighty fulfilled His promise to them: He honored
them and gave them victory over their enemy.
It is undeniable that Allah bestowed success on
them by virtue of their true faith, hard striving in His cause, good
deeds, patience and endurance, sincerity in word and deed, and their
solidarity and cooperation in this course. Allah does not judge people
according to their families or wealth, as He Almighty says: [And
it is not your wealth nor your children that will bring you near unto Us,
but he who believeth and doeth good (he draweth near). As for such, theirs
will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will dwell secure in
lofty halls] (Saba' 34:37).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
also said: "Verily, Allah does not consider your shape or wealth;
rather He considers your hearts and deeds" (Muslim).
So whoever takes the same track of the
righteous and follows their footsteps will attain the same reward Allah
gave them, and He will give him victory as He did with the righteous.
Allah Almighty says: [Lo! We verily
do help Our messengers, and those who believe, in the life of the world
and on the day when the witnesses arise, the day when their excuse
availeth not the evil doers, and theirs is the curse, and theirs the ill
abode] (Ghafir 40:51–52).
Allah also says: [And
verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn); that
they verily would be helped, and that Our host, they verily would be the
victors] (As-Saffat 61:171–173).
Allah Almighty also says: [To
help believers is incumbent upon Us]
(Ar-Rum 30:47).
Allah Almighty takes it upon Himself to support
His obedient servants and gather them under the banner of truth. It is
Allah Who furnishes people with sound understanding in their religion,
bestows success upon rulers, and guides them to the right path. Allah
strengthens the union of solidarity among Muslims and blesses them for
their mutual advice and cooperation in the cause of goodness. Allah also
protects His righteous servants against disunity, controversy, temptation,
and wicked schemes. Allah is the Owner of the universe and He regulates
it.
It is incumbent on Muslims to unite under the
banner of Islam rather than be disunited under different banners. Some
countries are united for joint economic interest, others for strategic
purposes, and still some others succumb under the grasp of disguised
occupation. There are regional organizations and race- or creed-based
organizations. What is most amazing is that no religion calls for
solidarity and cooperation as Islam does, even though Muslims witness the
least degree of unity and solidarity in relation to other nations.
Many Levels of Solidarity
A certain form of solidarity was achieved under
the Islamic caliphate. Hence, it is the duty of Muslim states to unite
under the banner of Islam and to cooperate with other non-Muslim countries
on humanitarian bases that do not contradict the tenets of Islam.
Then there must be unity among peoples of
different Islamic states through different regional and international
organizations that aim to activate the role of people in achieving
solidarity among the whole Ummah. Such kind of organizations must be
developed to consider the anti-Islam campaigns that are plotted all the
time to uproot Islam. Their role must extend to propagating Islam as the
resort for lost mankind, who is sinking in a sea of vulgarity and
degeneration.
Lastly, there should be internal cooperation
between the systems of each state—media, economic, political, social,
and religious—for Islam is a complete way of life in all aspects. The
main end for Muslims should be to show Islam in its pure essence to the
world, for people to understand it in the right way and follow its
guidance. Then let the stubborn disbelieve.
Moreover, unity in the face of the enemy is a
form of solidarity. Hence, there should be a united body of Muslim forces
ready to defend Islam and protect Muslim countries from invasion. In the
same way, members of the same field in Muslim countries can achieve
solidarity by working together for the benefit of their home, for the
Ummah, and for the whole of mankind.
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