Unity in Muslim Ummah

بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of ALLAH the Most Beneficent and The Merciful

وَإِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ تَفَرَّقَتْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً قَالُوا وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي

"And the Banu Isra’il divided into seventy-two sects and my ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all of whom will go into the Fire except one millat (sect). “The sahabah  (RA) asked (him), “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah (SAW)”. He said, “(Who follow) what I am on and my companions (are on).”

The above Hadiz speaks about the divisions that will occur in Islam. But this Hadiz cannot be taken as a proof to divide the religion of Islam. Let see in the light of Quran on  division in Islam and whether this is permissible. very good explanation of Hadith of 73 sects by Sheik Yasir Qadhi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fDXifZ5jnY

ALLAH Subhanallhu Ta'ala says
وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ
And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength departs [Soorah al-Anfaal 8:46]

وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ..  مِنَ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا ۖ كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ
And do not be among those join deities with Allaah, those who split up their Deen and become sects - each party rejoicing with what it has! [Soorah ar-Room, 30:32]

وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَإِلَّا  ...  مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ
But they will not cease to differ, except those on whom your Lord bestows His Mercy  [Soorah Hood 11:118-9]

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ ۚ إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ
Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam]) have no concern with them in the least. Their affair is only with Allâh, Who then will tell them what they used to do.[Soorah al-An'aam 6:159]

فَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا ۖ كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ
But they have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in what is with it.[Soorah al-Mu'minoon  23:53]

فَذَرْهُمْ فِي غَمْرَتِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
So, leave them in their error for a time. [Soorah al-Mu.minoon  23:54]

وَمَا تَفَرَّقُوا إِلَّا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْعِلْمُ بَغْيًا بَيْنَهُمْ
And they divided not till after knowledge had come to them, through (selfish) transgression between themselves.[Soorah ash-Shooraa 42:14]


When ALLAH forbids dividing the ALLAH's religion, what does the sectarist have to say:

The following is the verse they quote

وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong,and those will be the successful. [Soorah Aal-'Imraan 3:104]

But they forgot the next verse which says

وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ تَفَرَّقُوا وَاخْتَلَفُوا مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
"And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment" [Soorah Aal-'Imraan 3:105]

which warns from dividing. In today's world there are plenty of sects, divisions and organisation who claim that they call towards ALLAH but at the same time hate each other.

What should we do if we differ in the religious matters?
Answer:   We should refer to holy Qur.aan and authentic Sunnah.
Evidence from the Noble Quraan
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
If you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His  Messenger [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam], if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination."

ALLAH Subahanallahu Ta'ala also says
وَمَا اخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِيهِ مِن شَيْءٍ فَحُكْمُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ
And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allâh (He is the ruling Judge). ( [Ash Shooraa 42: 10]

Evidence from the authentic Sunnah
I am leaving two things with you, you will never go astray if you hold fast to them, and they are Allaah's Book and the Sunnah», [Transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]


How Prophet Mûsâ (Moses) (AS) handled difference of opinion:
Hârûn (Aaron) (As) feared causing division:
[Mûsâ (Moses)] said: "O Hârûn (Aaron)! What prevented you when you saw them going astray;
"That you followed me not (according to my advice to you)? Have you then disobeyed my order?"
He [Hârûn (Aaron)] said: "O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard, nor by my head! Verily, I feared lest you should say: 'You have caused a division among the Children of Israel, and you have not respected my word!' [20:92 -94] ... And Musa(AS) asked for the forgiveness of his brother Harun(AS)[7:151].

Let see how the great companions of our Prophet (let peace be upon him) handled difference of opinion:
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، أَنَّ أَبَا مُعَاوِيَةَ، وَحَفْصَ بْنَ غِيَاثٍ، حَدَّثَاهُ - وَحَدِيثُ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ، أَتَمُّ - عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، قَالَ صَلَّى عُثْمَانُ بِمِنًى أَرْبَعًا فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَمَعَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَمَعَ عُمَرَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ زَادَ عَنْ حَفْصٍ وَمَعَ عُثْمَانَ صَدْرًا مِنْ إِمَارَتِهِ ثُمَّ أَتَمَّهَا ‏.‏ زَادَ مِنْ هَا هُنَا عَنْ أَبِي مُعَاوِيَةَ ثُمَّ تَفَرَّقَتْ بِكُمُ الطُّرُقُ فَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّ لِي مِنْ أَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُتَقَبَّلَتَيْنِ ‏.‏ قَالَ الأَعْمَشُ فَحَدَّثَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ قُرَّةَ عَنْ أَشْيَاخِهِ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى أَرْبَعًا قَالَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ عِبْتَ عَلَى عُثْمَانَ ثُمَّ صَلَّيْتَ أَرْبَعًا قَالَ الْخِلاَفُ شَرٌّ ‏.‏
صحيح دون حديث معاوية بن قرة   (الألباني)

Narrated 'Abd al-Rahman b. Zaid:
'Uthman prayed four rak'ahs at Mina. 'Abd Allah (b. Mas'ud) said: I prayed two rak'ahs along with the Prophet (ﷺ) and two rak'ahs along with 'Umar. The version of Hafs added: And along with 'Uthman during the early period of his caliphate. He ('Uthman) began to offer complete prayer (i.e. four rak'ahs) later on. The version of Abu Mu'awiyah added: Then your modes of action varied. I would like to pray two rak'ahs acceptable to Allah instead of four rak'ahs.

Al-A'mash said: Mu'awiyah b. Qurrah reported to me from his teachers: 'Abd Allah (b. Mas'ud) once prayed four rak'ahs. He was told: You criticized 'Uthman but you yourself prayed four ? He replied: Dissension is evil.
Sunan Abi Dawud 1960 http://sunnah.com/abudawud/11/240
Its chain of narration is Saheeh (authentic), and something similar to this is related in the Musnad (5/155) of Imaam Ahmad, from Abu Dharr (raa).

They knew that tafarruq (splitting-up) in the Religion is more evil than having ikhtilaaf (differences) in some opinions.

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn and the Ansâr and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.[Soorah at-Towbah 9:100]

Ibn Mas'ud –(radiallaahu 'anhu) – would advise his students, "If your intention is one of these three, do not seek knowledge: To shame the ignorant, or to argue with the Fuqahaa' (scholars), or to cause people to turn their faces in your direction. Intend with your actions and words that which is with Allaah, for indeed that which is with Allaah shall remain and everything else shall perish".

Speak Gently - "neither we are better than Musa (AS) Nor the wrong doer as bad as pharaoh:

“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allaah].” [Taa Haa 20:43-44]

Do not show InJustice because you Hate them:

[5:8] O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allâh as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety; and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

Always say Good words

[17:53] And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islâmic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitân (Satan) verily, sows a state of conflict and disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitân (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.

The Misleaders carry the sin of others as well

[16:25] They will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!

Have Excuse for Brother and Supplicate for forgiveness and Straight path

قَالَ ابْنَ أُمَّ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ اسْتَضْعَفُونِي وَكَادُوا يَقْتُلُونَنِي فَلَا تُشْمِتْ بِيَ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَلَا تَجْعَلْنِي مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ
قَالَ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَلِأَخِي وَأَدْخِلْنَا فِي رَحْمَتِكَ ۖ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
[7:150] [Hârûn (Aaron)] said: "O son of my mother! Indeed the people judged me weak and were about to kill me, so make not the enemies rejoice over me, nor put me amongst the people who are Zâlimûn (wrong doers)."
[7:151] Mûsâ (Moses) said: "O my Lord! Forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your Mercy, for you are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy."

A Call towards Unity:

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided. [Soorah Aal-'Imraan 3:103]

قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِي الضَّلَالَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَٰنُ مَدًّا ۚ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا الْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا السَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًا
Say (O Muhammad [sal-Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam]): Whoever is in error, the Most Gracious (Allâh) will extend (the rope) to him, until, when they see that which they were promised, either the torment or the Hour, they will come to know who is worst in position, and who is weaker in forces. [Soorah Maryam 19:75]


A Dua for Unity:
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.[Soorah al-Hashr 59:10]


MESSAGE to the Islamic Ummah -sheikh Muhammed Ar-Rawi--هنا بكى محمد الراوي
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaKwA9R-lS0


And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.