In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, the Absolute Ruler.
"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided." (Quran 3:103)
"The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Quran 49:10)
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah. (Quran 6:159)
People have asked this question a million times, but I am not sure if they are seeking an answer to this question, or just making small talk. Question they ask is, how can believers be united as one community? This question is asked in many different formats, and almost in every gathering. Ironically, almost everyone who asks this question has committed to build a wall to prevent such thing from happening.
Recently, I was invited to a meeting for Imams from different communities to a brother's house, and the agenda was to consolidated effort to help new Muslim converts. When the meeting started, I looked around the room, and saw people from different walk of life and cultures present, and seemed to be a good opportunity to settle some differences and unite for this cause. I had some ideas of my own, which I wanted to share with the group. As the people start speaking, they were identifying themselves and the group they belong to. I started to think about which group did I belong to. I could not answer that question, so I decided to stay quite, and just listen.
One of the Imam suggested to conduct the next meeting in "a neutral place". So, I wondered, what made a home of this brother hostile place to meet for Imams, who suppose to be brothers and love each other for the sake of Allah. Anyways, may be a political thing that my simple mind can not comprehend.
As the discussion move forward, there were some great ideas discussed, but there was something bothering everyone, and I couldn't figure out what it was until one of the brother ask the question "So, should we centralize funding for this new effort?" Oh No! the host Imam immediately went to defense mode, and shut the question down, and every face I could see was flushed with emotion. Then I realize what was the bone that was stuck in the wheel blocking the progress. Instead of stating the obvious here, let me move forward.
See everyone in that room knew what need to be done, and almost everyone agreed on the solution, but the 1000 pound gorilla in the room was sitting in the center, and no one wanted to look at it. Brothers! Issue is that every Imam is part of an organization, and that organization has goals. Furthermore, each organization creates a boundary wall to organize their constituents to be loyal to their group, so the resources can be maximize. This is true for every masjid, and every country, and every school of thought, and every group that uses a label.
Besides the people present, two of the local Imam were not invited, because they were involved in a disagreement with other Imams who were invited. Actually, this is a very common thing that one Masjid or Imam disagrees with another Imam, and they would not like to be in the same room. This is called "Avoidance". It is the second stage of prejudice in the following list, according to the psychologist, Gordon Allport.
1.Antilocution (name calling, stereotyping)
2.Avoidance (defamation by omission, exclusion)
3.Discrimination (refusal of service, denial of opportunity)
4.Physical Attack (threat of physical violence, murder)
5.Extermination (mass assassination, genocide)
It does not matter what the reason is for the dispute, and a Muslim should be open to settle their differences with another Muslim in a moment's notice. and, an Imam should be held on even a higher status, and should not leave any dispute unresolved. Shame on the people who intentionally dis-invite others to avoid conflict in the meeting, but do nothing to solve the dispute. Have they not heard their master, who they claim to follow and love? I implore them to surrender to the following command.
Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, "Do not desert (stop talking to) one another, do not nurse hatred towards one another, do not be jealous of one another, and become as fellow brothers and slaves of Allah. It is not lawful for a Muslim to stop talking to his brother (Muslim) for more than three days.''
[Agreed Upon]
Oh people of Knowledge! Oh leaders of communities! Oh the inheritors of Muhammad ibn Abdullah!
Desist now this foolishness of petty disputes! Be the first one to apologize, even if you were oppressed. Would you take this argument in front of Allah? Would you argue on the day of judgment that you disconnected and avoided another Muslim, because of a dispute in the past?
Brothers! Tear down this wall!
If the Prophet (PBUH) can forgive the people of Makkah, who drove him out of his beloved town, surely our disputes are lesser in degree.
These walls of madhaib (hanafi, hanbali, salafi,), and the walls of race (Pakistani, Indian, Arab, North American...), and the walls of runoff organizations created due to avoiding political situation in the Masajid, are in the way of unity. If you want unity, kick these walls.
Once again, the unity can be achieved if every Imam willing to follow another Imam, if required, for the sake of Allah, regardless of the disputes and difference of opinion. Also, prioritize the common benefit above the organization that made them Imam and pay their bills. Unity requires sacrifice and risk, and only the believers in the hereafter can take that leap of faith.
JazakAllah Khairin
A Muslim, and nothing more.
AbuArman Jumani
