Start of Islamic Unity Week

Welcome to a special feature on the occasion of the start of Unity Week that bridges the two dates of Rabi al-Awwal which the Sunni and Shi’a Muslims respectively regard as the birth anniversary of the Messenger of Mercy, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

The Sunnis, on the narrations of the Sahaba – who before becoming Muslims were not much familiar with the Prophet – believe the 12^th of Rabi al-Awwal to be his birthday. For their part, the Shi’a Muslims, believing family accounts of the Ahl al-Bayt to be more reliable, consider the 17^th of the same month as the auspicious day the Last Prophet was born.

Ever since the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA) took the commendable step of declaring Unity Week, 40 years ago, the faithful throughout Iran and the world have been marking Unity Week with more enthusiasm every year worldwide.

Without the least doubt the main axis of fraternal bonds among Muslims of all denominations throughout the world is the blessed personality of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny). All Muslims, whatever the school of jurisprudence they follow, believe in the One and Only God; face the same focal point, that is the holy Ka’ba, for the ritual prayers; recite the same single Qur’an as the Revealed Word of God; fast in the blessed month of Ramadhan; perform Hajj in the same days of Zilhijjah; and unanimously regard Prophet of Islam as the Seal of all divine messengers. Thus they should be united and promote solidarity.

In Surah Aal-e Imran, ayah 103, the holy Qur’an says:

"Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided. And remember Allah’s blessing upon you when you were enemies, then He brought your hearts together, so you became brothers with His blessing."

Undoubtedly the unity of Muslims and solidarity among them is one of the basic objectives of Islam. Scholars and thinkers in every age and geographical place have striven to materialize this goal. Unlike the followers of other creeds such as Christianity, who are deeply divided regarding God, Jesus, and Mary, the Muslims – whether Sunnis or Shi’as – have no differences regarding the fundamentals of faith. Yet in spite of the commonalities among them, Muslims have unfortunately allowed the enemies of Islam to sow seeds of discord. Ignorance and naivety have increased differences, and have enabled seditious elements on the payroll of Zionism and the West, such as the Takfiris, to indulge in terrorism against Muslims.

Under the circumstances, the Unity Week is a good opportunity for Muslims to think about their past and plan for the future by closing ranks, and by identifying their archenemies. We should realize that solidarity is the need of the hour in order to weed out the virus of sedition that is destroying the life and energy of Muslims and Muslim societies. Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi says in this regard: At no time in the history of Islam, the issue of unity of Muslims has become so essential, in view of the fact, the US, the European Union, the Zionist entity and the hypocrites among the Muslims themselves, have ganged up to undermine Islam and derail the progress of Muslims countries and societies.

The plot by the enemies of Islam is to disappoint Muslims, and as part of their propaganda tactics they claim that Islamic rule has failed to deliver the goods. Yet despite rampant Islamophobia created by the West and its media horns, many Muslims are determined to knit ranks by adhering to the dynamic teachings of Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

For instance, recently a British Muslim lady distributed among the people thousands of white roses adorned with the statements of the Prophet of Islam, as part of efforts to promote peace and harmony. Her novel method opened up new horizons for the Christian population of Britain, and encouraged many to embark on the study of the life of Prophet of Islam. Today there are fewer people who may not be aware that Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) is the Messenger of peace and fraternity. He set the practical example by gathering all humans on a single platform, irrespective of their ethnicity, colour of skin, and the languages spoken. Through his message of peace, friendship and harmony, he laid the foundations of the famous Islamic civilization, which expanded the horizons of science and knowledge, resulting in the Renaissance in Europe and the Industrial Revolution.

Unity of hearts is not dependent on material factors but stems from faith in God and firm belief in Resurrection. In other words, real and durable unity cannot be achieved on the superficial basis of ethnicity, narrow tribal interests, or politics. Unity requires social justice and equality. These egalitarian values are not found in secular systems and the flawed concept of liberal democracy. That is the reason we need to adhere to the path blazed out by Prophet of Islam and his Immaculate Ahl al-Bayt, who were all paragons of virtue and salvation. The Prophet showed the correct way to universal brotherhood by removing the superficial differences of class, colour and creed. For instance, he made Belaal the black Abyssinian the muezzin or caller to prayers. He entrusted Zaid bin Haretha who was a slave, as commander of the defence forces of the Islamic state. He hailed his Iranian companion, Salman Farsi, as “from us the Ahl al-Bayt”, an honour no blue blooded Arab could claim. The Prophet was a picture of piety and patience. These factors are indispensable for Islamic unity. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has said regarding the Unity Week: This is a wonderful opportunity for all Muslims and we should strive to further solidify Muslim ranks in order to defeat the plots of Global Arrogance. Blessing of Allah upon the Messenger of Mercy, who gave practical lessons in the molding of Islamic brotherhood!

AS/ME