The Story of Disunity

The last lesson we want to mention is the story of disunity, divisions, enmity and hatred; [these ills] have prompted the removal of blessings from Muslims and caused their defeat, as well as humiliation. Had they been [like] one hand and heart, united in even the most minor aspects of Islam, agreeing and communicating with each other, exchanging advice and discarding the concealed rancor within, no one would have overpowered or challenged them due to the presence of the mercy, support and blessings of Allaah The Almighty.

This requires the due attention of the believers, for they must be instruments that work toward internal unity and spread brotherhood, affection and mercy among themselves. Their hearts must be free from rancor and ill will, let alone ostracism, antagonism and hostility, which must never transpire within them. Undoubtedly, those are only causes for the removal of the goodness, bounties, and compassion and victory of Allaah The Almighty.

Thus, He teaches the believers all the [aforementioned] lessons, but this one in particular. For, as they are disunited and divided, their enemies no longer fear them. Moreover, due to internal strife, it is now easy for their foes to seize, defeat, torture, humiliate and afflict them with disgrace and subjugation, which is evident in todays world, where no one can raise his or her voice in support of the Word of Allaah The Almighty.

It is ultimately necessary for the believers, then, to promise each other to discard all feelings of resentment and hatred, and desire to boycott one another. Instead, they must be replaced by affection, harmony and allegiance, as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Your ally is none but Allaah and

[therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give Zakaah (obligatory charity), and they bow [in worship].} [Quran 5:55]

If we manage to discard those negative emotions, our power [through faith], determination and strength would be reasons for the victory of Allaah The Almighty. The believers, therefore, are required to work, in order to eliminate the triggers of discord and rift, within and without their communities. Then, when this attitude becomes prevalent and the believers return to their purity [of religion], the victory of Allaah The Almighty will be nearer to them, as He Says (what means): {And obey Allaah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allaah is with the patient.} [Quran 8:46]

Let us now promise each other to repent to Allaah The Almighty, dispense with our differences and disputes, return to the Quran and Sunnah, shed tears in the night [prayers], resort and supplicate to Allaah The Almighty, persist in fasting, increase our charity, continually utter Athkaar (words of remembrance of Allaah The Almighty) and ask for the Lords forgiveness, until He responds and removes the trials that afflict us.

This, in addition to the other lessons, should be our guidance and example. Allaah The Almighty teaches these meanings to us through [the offenses of] the polytheists and disbelievers, so that the believers possess the attitude He appreciatively attributes to them. Yes, we have indeed given each other our word. O Allaah! Help us fulfill this pledge.