Muslim Unity-What Does It Mean To YOU?

Salaam

I don’t know what type of high school you guys went to…but in my high school there were many cliques.

We had the “popular/pretty girls” we had the “Gangsters/Rude bwoys” we had the “geeks/nerd” we had the “arty farty” type, we had the “Coconuts” we had the “Freshies” and many more.

It just wasn’t the done thing for the “popular mean girls” to associate with the “nerds” and the “Coconuts” and “freshies” spent all their time making fun out of each other.

And depending on which group you were part what determined where you could sit at lunch, what you could wear and even what grades you could get in school…

It was incredibility important to “stick to your own” you couldn’t be seen with someone in a less socially acceptable group as yours….

The Muslim Ummah is the same…..we have our “groups” and spent a lot of or time dissing other groups and constructing barriers.

Personally, I have no reservations with associating with those who you may want to work with and/or just happen to share similar beliefs and ideologies…..however, problems arise when people begin to consider themselves more “superior” or “guided” then others…

The likes of Hadrat Abu Bakr (ra) wished that they were a blade of grass so they wouldnt have to go through accountability...so one cant help but marvel at our own high level of confidence...

When people talk of unity, this does not mean uniformity. It does not mean that we should look alike, eat alike, dress or think alike. It does not mean that we should not have any differences in opinions. This is diversity, not disunity.

Diversity is known as being a blessing whilst disunity is a curse.

There were differences of opinion in fiqh among the Companions, their followers, and great Mujahideen. But they did not turn these into fights. They disagreed but they maintained respect and love for each other. The brotherhood remained intact. They had tolerance for the other view.

We spent SO much of our precious time trying to prove people wrong and trying to show off how “guided” we may be…

Other then an ego boost I see little benefit in trying to prove how/why others are astray…

And even if our intensive “research” and “proof” does determine how/why others are astray and we are guided……will we receive a gold medal from above? Will it guarantee us a place in Paradise?

And what about if we’re wrong…does our extreme confidence or arrogance prevent us from thinking that maybe we can be wrong?

Anyway, I’m babbling here…and what I really wanted to ask was what does Muslim Unity mean to YOU?

Does it mean being “United” with your Muslim brothers and sisters when it suits you?

Does it mean picking and choosing who you wish to tolerate or not?

Does Muslim unity depend on the extent to which you think other Muslims are right?

Does it mean Unity in public but hatred and insults behind closed doors? Too many people spend their time banging on about Unity but its just a show….

Or is Muslim Unity is a myth…is it impossible to even speak to those whom YOU think are not “true Muslims”?

Will we ever get out of the 15year old high school mentality where we do nothing but bitch about how bad/stupid others are and how perfect we are?

Share your thoughts…

Wasalaam