Welcome to today’s episode of the series Mohammad, Radiant Sun of Guidance. Today, we study the topic of unity and solidarity in the view of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

One of the strategic policies of governments is establishment and maintenance of unity among the members of the community which they govern. However, the motive of every government completely differs from the other based on the outlook they maintain. A group aim to establish unity based on national motives and nationalistic prejudices, such as Pan Arabism and Pan Turkism.

Some plan and endeavor for establishment of unity based on racist goals such as Nazism and Zionism. Another group considers political and ideological schools of thought as the basis for their unity such as Communism and Maoism, which took shape on the basis of unity of workers and peasants. Some others consider military principles and armed confrontations as the basis of their unity such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Warsaw Pact, which aim to shape an alliance of countries against rival powers.

Each one of these governments, in line with their interests and in order to cement their status intend to establish a  united front via adoption of a number of economic, political, regional, and international approaches. However, these alliances remain as long as their interests are fulfilled and/or disputes do not arise between them. Thus, upon the emergence of the slightest difference of opinion, the foundations of their solidarity crumble and even wars break out.

The divine prophets, like the majority of political leaders, intended to establish unity among Ummahs and ethnicities of their era. However, they did not maintain nationalistic, racial, political, military or economic motives; and their goal was fully divine and humane. Upon resorting to monotheism, they tried to end disputes and to establish true and sustainable solidarity in the community, in the light of reinforcement of monotheistic beliefs.

The Prophet of Islam, Mohammad, in line with his monotheistic prophecy and via relentless efforts, uprooted al of the causes of racial, ethnical, social, cultural, and political disputes. Thereafter, via promotion of pure monotheistic thoughts, he established a sustainable solidarity. Meanwhile, the responsibility of Prophet Mohammad in this regard was much more important than the responsibility of other prophets, given that other prophets were appointed to guide their own ethnicities, but the Prophet of Islam maintained a global prophecy and was instructed by God to stride for materialization of global unity and peace.

Unity in the prophets’ school of thought gains more importance when we realize that God instruction to true monotheists is to hold fast to Allah’s cord and to avoid any divisive measures.

The 103th ayah of Surat Al-I’Imran notes: ‘Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided into sects.’

 Also, the 78^th ayah of Surat al-Hajj notes: “… and hold fast to Allah. He is your master – an excellent master and an excellent helper.”

If monotheism would not be a criterion for unity; blind political, racial, nationalistic and geographical prejudices emerge, shaking the pillars of unity.

153^rd ayah of Surat al-An’am notes: ‘This indeed is my strategic path, so follow it, and do not follow other ways, for they will separate you from His way. This is what He enjoins upon you so that you may be Godwary.’

Those, who do not strongly believe in God, imagine that through leveling threats they can infiltrate hearts and establish sustainable unity in the community. God Almighty dismisses as baseless this wrong thought.

In the 63^rd ayah of Surat al-Anfal, God notes: ‘Had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah united them together. Indeed He is all-mighty, all-wise.’

Many of the bonds and unifications which take place based on non-divine motives easily turn into disputes and hostilities, while two governments and/or nations who previously maintained amicable ties become each other’s enemies. However, the unity which is based on monotheism is reinforced and cemented day by day and will be coupled with divine blessings.

Holy Quran depicts this fact. The 175^th ayah of Surat al-Nisa notes: ‘As for those, who have faith in Allah, and hold fast to Him, He will admit them to His mercy and grace, and He will guide them on a straight path to Him.’

In the light of constructive teachings of Holy Quran, Prophet Mohammad put an end to all hostilities, divisive ambitions, murders, and pillages of the Age of Ignorance and shaped a unified and powerful Ummah and finally created a caring and kind community. The glittering history of Islam has registered unique scenes of deep-rooted human relations. However, history has shown that the enemy, in the past and in the current juncture in time, has always made strenuous efforts to deal heavy blows against the World of Islam, via plotting schemes and conspiracies. In the view of Holy Quran and the tradition of the Prophet of Islam, in a bid to counter and foil enemies’ divisive plots, the Islamic community should reinforce its internal relations, on one hand, and should monitor all of the moves of foreign enemy, on the other hand, while powerfully and vigilantly standing firm against those, who maintain divisive plots.

MR/ME