Lecture: Dealing with Differences in the Muslim Community & Unity in Islam

On Friday 9/4/10, there was a lecture in Bankstown titled: Dealing with Differences in the Muslim Community & Unity in Islam.  The lectures were delivered by Uthman Badar and Brother Soudad.

Unity is like Salat – everyone must know about it and must know what it is.  Many Ayat prove it. Allah says: إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ (Indeed, the believers are brothers (QS. Al-Hujurat 49:10)).

When someone passes away, Islam orders to hurry in the burial of that person. When the Prophet, sallahu alayhi wa sallam, passed away, the first thing on the people's minds was to look for a new leader for the community, not the Prophet's funeral. There were meetings, disputes, arguments and even nearly fights. It was after they elected Abu Bakr as the leader that they organised the Prophet's funeral. This is how important unity is in Islam.

We do not need unity in every single matter, like which Madzhab to follow, what clothes we wear or which Hadith books we read. We need to be united in three things: fundamentals of belief which makes a Muslim a Mu'min, unity in reference to Qur'an and Sunnah and unity of lands and leadership (Political Unity).

In reference to unity of the fundamentals of belief which make a Muslim a Mu'min, Aqeedah is that fundamental that unites us. Therefore, we must all share the same and correct Aqeedah if unity is to be achieved.

We also have to be unified strongly and in reality like real brothers, not just in words. Indeed, Islamic Brotherhood is stronger than Biological Brotherhood. If two biological brothers were of different religions, they would not consider each other as brothers. But if two Islamic brothers were not biologically related, they would still consider each other as if they were real brothers since they share something in common between each other.

In reference to unity in reference to Qur'an and Sunnah, every decision we make has to be based on the Qur'an & Sunnah, after which you base it on the opinions of the Scholars. Therefore, if we are confused about a matter in Islam we return to the Qur'an Sunnah. Allah says: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا (O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you (The Khalif). And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. (QS. An-Nisa' 4:59)

Now, the only type of unity missing from today's world is the unity of lands and leadership (Political unity). This means that all the Muslim lands should be united as one by an Islamic state, a Khilafah, ruled by one Khalif, unlike today where you have many different countries like Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc. The Khalif is a shield: behind him we fight, behind him we are protected.

Basically, political unity means: You are united under one Imam who follows the Book of Allah & the Sunnah, to whom you give your allegiance of loyalty and support to.

It is not permissible to have more than one Khalif, even if the land ruled becomes very wide. The Prophet said that if there are two leaders among you, kill the latter one.

The Prophet also said that he who tries to drive a wedge between you when you are united, strike him with your sword. In another Hadith, it says kill him.

However, difference of opinion is allowed in Islam. In fact it is encouraged. But we have to know in which areas of Islam we are allowed to have a difference of opinion in.

Aspects of Islam that are clear cut, Aqeedah, Tawheed, Quran & Sunnah, and lands & leadership are somethings we have to be united in.

Other aspects which are speculative such as Fiqh, Hadith and Sirah are some matters we can have a difference of opinion on.

On these speculative matters we either have to follow the opinion of a Mujtahid (scholar who is capable of making an Islamic opinion) or be a Mujtahid ourselves.

To be a Mujtahid you have to be capable of scanning through the Quran and sunnah and being able to come up to a final conclusion, you have to be sincere in doing Ijtihad, you have to do Ijtihad to the best of your ability and you have to be very fluent in the Arabic Language. The Prophet said: Whoever misinterprets the Quran, let him select his seat in Hellfire.

When a Mujtahid comes to an opinion, this is called an Islamic opinion, not the Islamic opinion. You can say an opinion is the Islamic opinion if it is stated in the Quran or Hadith.

We are not allowed to frown upon or force the one who follows another opinion different to your own, nor can we say that his opinion is incorrect.

We are not allowed to debate so much that we hate each other. Also, we should not leave our own opinion unless we are convinced otherwise.

In conclusion, unity in certain aspects is a must, while difference of opinion in other aspects is permissible.

(Ibnu Âdam)