My respected brothers and sisters, today we reflect upon a vital, timeless reality of our faith: regardless of our background, our cultural heritage, or the specific community or Jamaat we associate with, at our core, we are all Muslims. We worship the One God, we follow the final Messenger Muhammad (sa), we face the same Qiblah, and we are bound by the eternal rope of Allah.
The Qur’anic Blueprint for Brotherhood
Allah
(swt) did not create us to be divided into hostile factions. Diversity in our
appearance, languages, and local traditions is a sign of His magnificent
creation, not a reason for disunity.
In
Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10), Allah declares: ‘The believers are but brothers, so
reconcile between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.’
Notice
the comprehensiveness of this verse. It does not say believers of a certain
group, school of thought, or organizational affiliation are brothers. It says al-mu'minoon—the believers—are a single,
interconnected body.
The
Prophet Muhammad (sa) beautifully illustrated this unity in a famous narration:
‘The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like
one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with
wakefulness and fever.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)
When a
Muslim hurts anywhere in the world, or within any circle of our community, the
rest of the body should feel that pain. Our labels and local affiliations must
never become thicker than the bond of La
ilaha illallah.
Moving Beyond Divisive Labels
In a
diverse global Ummah, it is natural for communities to form local groups,
educational circles, and administrative Jamaats to organize their efforts in
serving Islam. These structures can be valuable tools for dawah, education, and community welfare.
However,
danger arises when these organizational tools are elevated above the broader
identity of Islam itself. When secondary differences become sources of
sectarian pride or prejudice, we fracture the very brotherhood our Prophet (sa)
bled and sacrificed to build.
On the
Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet (sa) left us with a crystal-clear standard: ‘All
mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a
non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over
a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good
action.’
He did
not ask which group or Jamaat a
person belonged to; he measured human worth by Taqwah (God-consciousness) and righteous character.
Practical Steps to Foster Unity
How do
we live out this reality in our daily lives and local Masjids?
Focus
on the Core, Respect the Branches:
Unite
firmly upon the non-negotiables—the Articles of Faith and the Pillars of Islam.
In matters where scholars have historically differed, adopt an attitude of
breadth, respect, and mutual understanding.
Overlook
Minor Differences: Do not let procedural or secondary variations divide hearts
that bow to the same Lord. Acknowledge that the Ummah's diversity is a mercy
when handled with wisdom and maturity.
Spread
Salaam and Hospitality: The Prophet (sa) taught us that we will not enter
Paradise until we truly believe, and we will not truly believe until we love
one another. He said, ‘Spread peace (salaam) among yourselves’.
---Khutbah Jumuah of 23 October 2026~ 12 Jumada-al-Ula 1448 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.