Unity is not achieved by wishful thinking or flattery

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

So many speakers in the east and the west are trying to “unite” the Ummah by uniting with the deviants, sharing the same platform with them and many have signed the treaty with them to: “cooperate in which they agree and remain silent in which they disagree”. The likes of Nouman Ali Khan cooperating with the Soofees including the deviant Hamza Yusuf and others. Yasir Qadhi and his complete U-turn on the Raafidhah and his aligning them now. And many more like “Mufti” Menk, one would hardly find them touching the subject of Tawheed, `Aqeedah and Shirk. Their reasoning: The topic on Tawheed and Shirk divides the Ummah and these topics do not generate big crowds.

These are all deceptions. Their “Unity” is a deception and their principle is falsehood. They are trying to deceive the Ummah into believing that such a “unity” is possible based on such false principles.

The sad part is many brothers and sisters are so obsessed with this “Unity” thing that if you speak about Tawheed and Shirk, they say: “You are dividing the Ummah.” When you enjoin good and forbid evil, they say: “You are dividing the Ummah.” You speak about errors, they say: “You are dividing the Ummah.”

When we remain silent, the deviants like Hamza Yusuf have already won half the battle and this is what they want. The other half they try winning by propagating their false beliefs.

1. Unity is not achieved by wishful thinking or flattery:

﴿هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ * وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ اللَّـهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

{It is He (Allaah) Who has supported you with His Help and with the believers. And He has united their (i.e. believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allaah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise.} [Surah al-Anfaal (8): 62-63]

2. What united the Companions رضي الله عنهم أجمعـين in the first place?

If we want to unite, we have to learn what united the Companions in the first place. Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّـهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّـهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ﴾

{And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (i.e. this Qur’aan), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allaah's Favor on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islaamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allaah makes His Aayaat (proofs, evidences etc.) clear to you, that you may be guided.} [Surah aal-`Imraan (3): 103]

What gathered the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar together was Imaan and not wishful thinking. What united them was their willingness to obey the commands of Allaah تعالى and the Sunnah of His Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. As Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said: “When Allaah brought Islaam, those among them who embraced it became brothers who loved each other by Allaah’s grace, having good ties for Allaah’s sake and helping each other in righteousness and piety.”

By Allaah’s permission, due to this, the Imaan in their heart generated love for each other and they left a lofty example of brotherhood for generations to come.  One of the Companions had two wives; he divorced one of them so that his brother in Faith could marry her. Another divided his house so that his brother in Faith could reside in it. And another made his brother in Faith an equal partner in his trade.

{and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire}, meaning: the tribes of Aws and Khazraj were on the brink of a pit of Fire due to their Kufr, but Allaah تعالى saved them. But what these modern day speakers want is to unite with the Ahl al-Bid`ah by joining them and exposing themselves and others to misguidance and deviance. Instead of calling them towards guidance, they want to join their ranks! These modern day speakers’ method of unity is by: “Cooperating in that which they agree, and remaining silent in that which they differ.” [More will be discussed about this later in the article]

3. This Ummah will never unite upon misguidance:

Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Indeed Allaah will not gather my Ummah” - or he said: “The Ummah of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم upon misguidance, and Allaah’s Hand is over the Jamaa`ah, and whoever deviates, he deviates to the Fire.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2167) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee except for the part: “and whoever deviates, he deviates to the Fire.”]

It was narrated that `Arfajah bin Shuraih Al-Ashja`ee رضي الله عنه said: I saw the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم on the Minbar addressing the people. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “After me there will be many calamities and much evil behavior. Whoever you see splitting away from the Jamaa`ah or trying to create division among the Ummah of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, then kill him, for the Hand of Allaah is with the Jamaa`ah, and the Shaitaan is with the one who splits away from the Ummah, running with him.” [Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (4020) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami` (3621)]

So no matter how hard these modern day speaker try to compromise and try to “unite” with the deviants, they will never be successful.

4. Hadeeth: this Ummah will be divided into 73 sects:

Division is not a good thing and no one likes division, but division in this Ummah is bound to happen.

It was narrated from `Awf bin Maalik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The Jews split into seventy-one sects, one of which will be in Paradise and seventy in Hell. The Christians split into seventy-two sects, seventy-one of which will be in Hell and one in Paradise. I swear by the One Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, my nation will split into seventy-three sects, one of which will be in Paradise and seventy-two in Hell.” It was said: O Messenger of Allaah, who are they? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The Jamaa`ah (main body).” [Sunan Ibn Maajah (3991, 3992, 3993) and graded as “Saheeh” By Shaikh al-Albaanee. In the narration of al-Tirmidhee (2641) he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “What I am upon and my Companions”, and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

One will hardly find these modern day speakers mentioning the likes of this Hadeeth. If we want to unite, then we can only unite by returning to the teachings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as understood by his Companions.

And speaking about errors does not divide the Ummah; rather speaking about errors is what differentiates between truth and falsehood. Emphasis should be to make the deviants accept the truth instead of compromising the Deen with them.

5. Differences in the Ummah occurred when some people opposed the teachings of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Differences occurred when the people separated from the Jamaa`ah (the main body):

﴿وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُم بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ﴾

{“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. This He has ordained for you that you may become Al-Muttaqoon} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 153]

Ibn Katheer mentions that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما commented about this Aayah saying: “Allaah commanded the believers to adhere to the Jamaa`ah (the main body) and forbade them from causing divisions and disputes. He informed them that those before them were destroyed because of divisions and disputes in the religion of Allaah.”

Imaam Ahmad recorded that `Abdullaah bin Mas`ood رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم drew a line with his hand (in the sand) and said: “This is Allaah’s path, leading straight.” He then drew [two] lines to the right and [two] to the left of that line and said: “These are the other paths, on each path there is a devil who calls to it.” He then recited:

﴿وَأَنَّ هَـٰذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَن سَبِيلِهِ﴾

{“And verily, this is my Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path.} [Musnad Ahmad (4142, 4437, 15277), al-Haakim also recorded this and said: “Its chain is “Saheeh”, but they did not record it.” Shaikh al-Albaanee graded it as “Hasan” in al-Mishkaat (166). Also graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh Muqbil in Saheeh al-Musnad (848)]

Narrated An-Nawwaas bin Sam`aan Al-Kilaabee رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Indeed Allaah has made a parable of the straight path: At the sides of the path there are walls with open doors, each door having a curtain. There is a caller at the head of the path calling, and a caller above it calling. And Allaah invites to the abode of peace and guides whomever He wills to the straight path. The doors which are on the sides of the path are the Hudood (legal limitations) of Allaah; no one breaches the Hudood of Allaah except that curtain is lifted, and the one calling from above it is his Lord.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2859) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

It is those who have separated from the main body who should come back and mend their ways and not the other way. But these modern day speakers want the Jamaa`ah to compromise with the deviants (the Sufees and the Raafidhees) and want us to be lenient with their deviations by not speaking the truth.

6. Those who deviated in the first place are the ones who divided the Ummah, we should stir clear of them:

﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعًا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ ۚ إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى اللَّـهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ﴾

{Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects (all kinds of religious sects), you (O Muhammad) have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allaah, Who then will tell them what they used to do.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 159]

Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said in his Tafseer: “It is apparent that this Aayah refers to all those who defy the religion of Allaah, or revert from it. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that He makes it victorious and dominant above all religions. His Law is one and does not contain any contradiction or incongruity. Therefore, those who dispute in the religion,

﴿وَكَانُواْ شِيَعاً﴾

{...and break up into sects,} religious sects, just like those who follow the various sects, desires and misguidance - then Allaah has purified His Messenger from their ways.”

7. Do not compromise:

It is either we call them to the truth or keep away from them. We simply should not compromise.

Narrated Hudhaifah bin Al-Yamaan رضي الله عنه: The people used to ask Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me. Once I said: O Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم! We were in ignorance and in evil and Allaah has bestowed upon us the present good; will there be any evil after this good? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes.” I asked: Will there be good after that evil? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes, but it would be tainted with Dakhan (i.e. Little evil).” I asked: What will its Dakhan be? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “There will be some people who will lead (people) according to principles other than my tradition [In Saheeh Muslim it is: (That time will witness the rise of) the people who will adopt ways other than mine and seek guidance other than mine]. You will see their actions and disapprove of them.” I said: Will there be any evil after that good? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them).” I said: O Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم! Describe those people to us. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “They will belong to us and speak our language.” I asked: What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my lifetime? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “ADHERE TO THE JAMAA`AH (MAIN BODY) OF MUSLIMS AND THEIR CHIEF.” I asked: If there is neither a Jamaa`ah nor a chief (what shall I do)? He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “KEEP AWAY FROM ALL THOSE DIFFERENT SECTS, EVEN IF YOU HAD TO BITE (I.E. EAT) THE ROOT OF A TREE, TILL YOU MEET ALLAAH WHILE YOU ARE STILL IN THAT STATE.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3606, 7084) and Saheeh Muslim (4553)]

8. Those who unite upon misguidance will always have hatred for each other despite their apparent love and cooperation to achieve a common purpose:

﴿لَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ جَمِيعًا إِلَّا فِي قُرًى مُّحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِن وَرَاءِ جُدُرٍ ۚ بَأْسُهُم بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ ۚ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيعًا وَقُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّىٰ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لَّا يَعْقِلُونَ﴾

{They fight not against you even together, except in fortified townships, or from behind walls. Their enmity among themselves is very great. You would think they were united, but their hearts are divided, that is because they are a people who understand not.} [Surah al-Hashr (59): 14]

If they cannot unite upon Tawheed and Sunnah, they will never be truly united. They will always have hatred in their hearts for each other; they can never be one because they never united upon the truth. The Raafidhah for example, did not stop reviling the Sahaabah, so how can we expect them to not do the same to us? Where is the unity here?

9. Why we need to speak out:

If a teacher at the school teaches your child:

1+1=11

2+2=22

Would you still say: let’s take the good from him/her and leave the error?

or would you say: let’s wait till the principal takes some action?

No one would wait! Why? Because the education of the child – which is from the fundamentals of this Dunya - is at risk. No parent would keep silent once they knew the errors of the teacher. Some would even go as far as to have the teacher removed from the school.

But when the fundamentals of the Aakhirah (from the matters of the Deen and `Aqeedah (Creed)) are concerned, some of the people maintain double standards. They say: take the good and ignore the error.

Refuting individuals is for the scholars to take care of, but correcting the mistake is the responsibility of every individual – those who can identify the truth from falsehood.

By Allaah! These modernist speakers will never like for their children to learn from a teacher who doesn’t know the basic stuff, but they are willing to play with the lives and the Aakhirah of thousands of innocent people.

Narrated An-Nu`maan bin Basheer رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The example of the person abiding by Allaah’s orders and limits (or the one who abides by the limits and regulations prescribed by Allaah) in comparison to the ones who do wrong and violate Allaah’s limits and orders is like the example of people drawing lots for seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part while the others in the lower part; those in the lower part have to pass by those in the upper one to get water, and that troubled the latter. One of them (i.e. the people in the lower part) took an ax and started making a hole in the bottom of the boat. The people of the upper part came and asked him, (saying), ‘What is wrong with you?’ He replied, “You have been troubled much by my (coming up to you), and I have to get water.’ Now if they prevent him from doing that they will save him and themselves, but if they leave him (to do what he wants), they will destroy him and themselves.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2493, 2686)]

10. From the characteristics of the Believers is that they do not bear witness to the falsehood:

﴿وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ الزُّورَ﴾

{And those who do not witness falsehood} [Surah al-Furqaan (25): 72]

And what falsehood is greater than Shirk? We witness the Soofees committing Shirk and keep silent for the sake of unity?! We share the platform with the people even after knowing their deviation?!

11. Correcting mistakes is from enjoining good and forbidding evil:

﴿وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ ۚ وَإِمَّا يُنسِيَنَّكَ الشَّيْطَانُ فَلَا تَقْعُدْ بَعْدَ الذِّكْرَىٰ مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ * وَمَا عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ مِنْ حِسَابِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ وَلَـٰكِن ذِكْرَىٰ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ﴾

{And when you see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaitaan causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zalimoon (wrong-doers). Those who fear Allah, keep their duty to Him and avoid evil are not responsible for them in any case, BUT (THE BELIEVER’S DUTY) IS TO REMIND THEM, THAT THEY MAY AVOID THAT.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 68-69]

12. Remaining silent is enjoining evil and preventing good. Rather, remaining silent is like participating in that evil:

﴿وَقَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتَابِ أَنْ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمْ آيَاتِ اللَّـهِ يُكْفَرُ بِهَا وَيُسْتَهْزَأُ بِهَا فَلَا تَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِ ۚ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا مِّثْلُهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ جَامِعُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْكَافِرِينَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ جَمِيعًا﴾

{And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Quran) that when you hear the Verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) CERTAINLY IN THAT CASE YOU WOULD BE LIKE THEM…} [Surah al-Nisaa’ (4): 140]

When we are neither allowed to witness falsehood nor to sit in such gatherings, then the concept of unity (with deviants) does not come in the first place.

13. Remaining silent will be the cause of Allaah’s punishment:

Allaah تعالى says:

﴿وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ﴾

{And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 2]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable and forbid what is disreputable, or Allaah will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2169) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said: “When people see something objectionable and do not change it, Allaah will soon include them all in His punishment.” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4338), al-Tirmidhee (2168, 3057), Ibn Maajah (4005) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

14. Remaining silent is from the ways of the two cursed ones:

﴿لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَىٰ لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوا وَّكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ * كَانُوا لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ ۚ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ﴾

{Those among the Children of Israaeel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and `Eesa, son of Maryam. That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.} [Surah al-Maaidah (5): 78-79]

Ibn Katheer رحمه الله said: “Allaah تعالى states that He تعالى has cursed the disbelievers among the Children of Israaeel long ago, and revealed this fact to His Prophets Dawood and `Eesa Ibn Maryam. He تعالى cursed them because they disobeyed Allaah and transgressed against His creatures. Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: “They were cursed in the Tawrah, the Injeel, the Zaboor (Psalms) and the Furqaan (Qur’aan).” Allaah then states that during their time, their habit was that,

﴿كَانُواْ لاَ يَتَنَـهَوْنَ عَن مُّنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ﴾

{They used not to forbid one another from the evil they committed.} They did not forbid each other from committing sins and the prohibitions. Allah chastised them for this behavior, so that their behavior would not be imitated.”

15. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is from doing good to the brothers:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “None of you truly believe until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhee (2169) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Only when we speak will we be able to clarify the matters for the brothers and sisters. The greatest goodness is to help them attain the goal of the Hereafter.

16. The purpose of Unity should be to uproot evil:

The purpose unity should be to remove evil and there is nothing greater than Shirk and Kufr:

﴿إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾

{Verily! Shirk (joining others in worship with Allaah) is a great Dhulm (wrong) indeed.} [Surah Luqmaan (31): 13]

And the very purpose of Allaah sending the Prophets and Messengers was to warn the people against Shirk and call them to Tawheed:

﴿ وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولاً أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ هَدَى اللَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ حَقَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الضَّلالَةُ﴾

{And verily, We have sent among every Ummah a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allaah (Alone), and avoid Taghoot (all false deities, etc. i. e. do not worship others besides Allaah).” Then of them were some whom Allaah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified.} [Surah al-Nahl (16): 36]

But these modern speakers with their ideology of: “cooperating in that which they agree, and remaining silent in that which they differ”, are defeating the very purpose of these Prophets and Messengers. They remain silent and do not speak out against the Shirk of the Soofees and the Kufr of the Raafidhah and their abusing of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

If we are able to call towards Tawheed and warn against Shirk, then what is the need of this unity?

17. Unity upon false principles is deception:

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “He who deceives is not from me.” [Saheeh Muslim (183)]

If cheating in worldly matters (buying and selling) is a sin, then deceiving in the matters of the Aakhirah is a much greater sin. When we remain silent, we are deceiving the people. If the speakers do not clarify but instead unite with the deviants upon their falsehood, how will the common people know the truth from the falsehood; the right from the wrong? How will they know what to listen and whom to listen? Will it be alright if the person who follows the Sunnah to approach a Raafidhi Shi`ee to clarify his doubts?

And Allaah alone is the One Who grants success.