There is so much we can gain just by uniting in good. Our Prophet (PBUH) was a man of unity. He ensured that he spread love and kindness wherever he went, and just through these actions, he attracted millions of people to join the religion of Islam.The power of unity is so vast, that just by coming together, we can change lives. We can uplift those who are feeling down and we can create a sense of belonging to those vulnerable and those who feel alone. Here are some ways in how we can attain unity to better ourselves and improve our interactions with others.
What Unity Teaches Us: “None of you will have faith until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” [al-Bukhari]. Quite beautifully, this narration includes both Muslims and non-Muslims in relation to maintaining brotherhood. Imam an-Nawawi comments that here, our Prophet (PBUH) is directing us about dawah and how a believer should invite a non-believer to Islam just how he loves Islam for himself. He continues, “For this reason, it is recommended to supplicate for the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love here is an intention for good and benefit, and this meaning is religious love, not human love.” This type of love is therefore, quite unique. Just like how you may invite a friend to your home due to wanting their presence and to host them to the best of your abilities, inviting them to Islam with the same mentality is an example of exposing love to someone due to wanting good for them. This is the essence of unity, bringing together people from all walks of life and making them bond through love and respect.
Believers are like a Structure: Our Prophet (PBUH) said, “Verily, the believers are like a structure, each part strengthening the other,” and the Prophet clasped his fingers together [al-Bukhari]. This hadith highlights the importance of supporting one another during times of need willingly and sincerely. It also involves expressing a sense of joy and pleasure when helping one another, seeing it as an honour to be able to fulfil someone else’s need. This strengthens bonds between people. Even if you were to help someone less fortunate, in a completely different country, though you may not know the beneficiary in person, they will naturally have some sort of love for you and make du’a for you for the peace you’ve brought into their life. Attaining unity is therefore, not restricted. And just by viewing the believers as bricks that come together to build a structure, allows us to understand and visualise that so much good can come out of just supporting one another and being aware of each other’s conditions.
Efforts to Bring Unity: Unity is key, but it involves effort from every individual, just how Allah (SWT) mentions in the Qur’an, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favour, brothers.” [3:103]. Our Prophet (PBUH) was a true inspiration in living the above verse. Being in a leadership position, he faced immense criticism to the point that he was pelted with stones, drenched in dirt and dust, and even his life was put in danger many times. Yet, our Prophet (PBUH) showed nothing but kindness and respect back to his enemies. He used kindness to change the world and create legacies that continue to live with us today. It was his kindness that made one of his worst enemies, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), to be one of his closest friends, a khalifa and one of the ten promised paradise. Such is the power of kindness, in which unity can be achieved and love can be spread far and wide.
Give Charity to boost Unity: “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” [al-Bukhari]. The love that a Muslim harbours in his heart should be so sincere that it makes him give towards those in difficulty. He feels the ache of another person and he reacts in the kindest of ways. This brings forth affection, mercy and compassion naturally towards others. In a tough world which holds obstacles of conflict, natural disasters and millions of less fortunate people, it is vital we spread love to unite in goodness. It is in these times that Allah (SWT) has commanded us to help those who are in desperate need. It is in these times where we can unite to uplift others and bring good to the world. Through unity, we can make a huge difference. Through unity, a lot can be achieved. Unity brings people together, creating love, harmony and generosity between them. As believers, we can use unity as a platform to spread kindness to others, as well as an opportunity for our spiritual growth to become closer to Allah (SWT). So, let’s reflect on the virtues of unity, allowing us to spread sincere kindness to our family, friends, humanity and the precarious world we inhabit. One way in which you can do this, is by donating excellent projects that work towards improving livelihoods and helping to save vulnerable people and those living in poverty.
( The author is a Student of law at Kashmir University Srinagar. Views are his own)
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