Islam and Unity -- Why we missed it?

[Biixi]

Islam and Unity

 

By Professor Maqsood Jafri

 

 

 

Unity is strength. When the sand grains unite they become a vast desert. When the sea drops unite they become a boundless ocean. The conglomeration of stars in the firmament of sky soothes our eyes. The seven colors emerge in the shape of a bewitching rainbow. The unity of people makes an invincible strong nation. This is the reason Islam lays great stress on the importance of unity. The Islamic concept of Towhid is the other name of the unity of humankind.

 

The corner stone in Islam is the unity of God. Allah’s unity teaches us the message that we should not divide humans into sections and sects. Almighty Allah in the Quran says that the division of people in the races and clans is only for their introduction. The best one out of them is the man of piety.

 

Dr. Mohammad Ali Al-khuli is his book titled “The Light of Islam” writes. “Islam is the greatest unifying force in the world. It is a religion to all humans regardless of color, race and language. It is a religion that tolerates other religions and orders its followers to respect and protect all humans.” According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet all persons belong to Adam and Adam was from soil. The racial discrimination has been strictly prohibited in Islam.

 

In the last sermon from the Mount of Arafat the Holy Prophet had clearly announced that no Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab; or the white over the black. This is the reason that in Muslim countries we do not find racial discriminations. Islam gives clear injunctions for the respect, safety, security and prosperity of the non-Muslims as well. Unity teaches peace, equality and paternity. The absence of unity brings and breeds disruption, devastation and disputes. Islam ordains protection of non-Muslims simply to show the respect for the Canons of divinity and humanity. God is not only of the Muslims. God is the God of all human beings. The unity of all humans is the ultimate aim of the teachings of Islam. The doctrinal and ideological differences should not lead to war or bloodshed. Man is a thinking creature. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher introduced Rationalism in Philosophy. The Quran time and again asserts on the need of cogitation. “Ijtihad” is an analogical and analytical approach towards the matters of jurisprudence. Ashab-e-Suffa were the people of wisdom. They gave more time to cogitate on social and academic matters along with their saintly and spiritual practices. They were praised by the Holy Prophet for their involvement in intellectual pursuit. Once the Holy Prophet said: “The juristic scholar who receives two rewards for every correct decision and even one for every incorrect one, for he is endeavoring with all his effort to reach the correct decision.” The difference of opinion must be positive. It should not lead to prides and prejudices of priests. It should be decent difference on the bases of logic like the differences of Philosophers. Aristotle was the pupil of Plato. He differed from his teacher on many points but he never issued the edict of his assassination. Hegel and Bergson differed. Immunel Kant differed with Nietzche. None cursed or condemned the other. These differences were on principles; not personal. But unfortunately the so called scholars and clerics of different religions brought immense misery to mankind in the name of religion. The Jews, the Christians, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Buddhists and others had mercilessly shed the blood of each other in the name or religion. Each of these sects then killed the followers of their own religions on minor interpretative issues. Even to date the bloodshed in the name of faith is rampant. This is the greatest error and must be rectified. The Quran discusses the concept of unity on three levels. Foremost is the unity of humanity. The Quran in Sura Al-Hujurat (The Inner Apartments) says: “O, Mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is the one who has piety.” (49:13). The Quran no where addresses the Muslims. Either it addresses the believers (momineen) or the people (Annas). The Quran on second level refers to the unity of the people of the Books: the Jews, the Christians and the Muslims- In Sura Al-e-Imran the Quran says:” O, people of the Book! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with him, and that none of us will take others as lords besides Allah. Then if they turn away, say; Bear witness that we are Muslims” (3:64). The fifth verse of the Sura The Clear Evidence and the forty eighth verse of Sura The Table Spread also shed light on the unity of the people of the Book. Then on third level the Quran asserts on the unity of the Muslims. In Sura Al-e-Imran the Quran says; “And hold fast, all of you together to the rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves.” (3:103). Then Quran condemns sectarianism and regards it shirk (polytheism). The Quran again in Sura Al-e-Imran says: “O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam.” This verse clearly ordains that instead of adhering to Sunnism, Shiasim or Wahabism we should strongly adhere to Islam. In Mishqat Sharife there is a tradition of the Holy Prophet which says; “The Muslims are like a body; if one limb aches, the whole body aches.” Then the Messenger of Allah says; “whoever does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them.” From the above Quranic facts we deduce the result that Islam believes in the unity of all humans and preaches peace, justice and equality. Religion is to serve humankind. Religion has come to reform and unite humans, not to divide them. We must condemn extremism and terrorism in the name of religion and unite humankind if we believe in the unity of God

[Nur]

Bixi bro.

 

Your tagline:

 

Gurbaan garabkaaga ha kuugu jiro ama gacalkaa hakuu hayo.

 

 

Is contrary to the article which emphasiezes unity and shuns division along any interest based grouping except Islam.

 

In Somalia, this quote stands for tribalsim, most clan strongmen beleieve that the only way to guarantee their rights in Somalia is for them to rule the country.

 

But, If Islam is the governing systmem of our country, everyone is represented, Allah made sure that this system includes everyone.

 

 

Nur

[Biixi]

Nur

 

"Gurbaan garabkaaga ha kuugu jiro ama gacalkaa hakuu hayo."

 

Gacal is who you hold dear to your heart. Your father, your friend, your deen, your brother, your wife, your mother, your sis, your jufo, your clan, your country,your camel your computer, your money. It is just maahmaah and always relative to you.

 

My gacal is my wife who is from a different clan. I hope that helps you.

[Nur]

Brother Bixi

 

This proverb is a southern proverb, where locals dance to the beats of a drum, the proverb illustrates that if one wishes to hear the right beats of a drum, for the right dance, then, one must either keep his drum on his shoulder, or keep it near him, with his close freinds/family who will beat the drums to his taste.

 

The proverb has been in circulation in Somalia from the perspective of political division of power based, clan politics which is based on the theory that the only way a clan can secure fair share of power and representation in Somaalia is through its own clan members.

 

This, clan mentality has led to the collapse of Somalia and continues to fuel its division along clan loyalties.

 

The only remaining hope for Somalia is not more of Clan loyalties, but a loyalty for Allah and His Sharia law that will guarantee that every Somali will get their fair share under Sharia.

 

Gacal as you said, could be anything you hold dear to yourself, but the rightful GACAL is Allah who said in Quraan:

 

If Your Fathers, sons, your Clan, your wealth, your businesses, are your GACL, more than Allah, and His Messenger and a struggle in His cause, then expect and wait, until Allah delivers (His promise, Day of Judgement).

 

 

Nur

[Biixi]

“Gurbaan garabkaaga ha kuugu jiro ama gacalkaa hakuu hayo.”

 

Is a Somali Maah, which existed long before Somalia fragmented to South and North as a result of colonialism, and long before Somalia’s civil war. As any other Somali maah it is relative to user/reader. It is sad, even after I explained what it means; you can see it only in CLAN context.

 

We are Muslims, we love our Deen and follow it. Aside from that, we also love our families and depend on them as they depend on us. My wife being my GACAL doesn’t take away the fact that my wife and I are Muslims, who love their deen, follow it, and happen to love each other. Durbaanka ha ii garaacdee maa naga qaleesid lol.

[Nur]

Brother Bixi

 

You write:

 

"Durbaanka ha ii garaacdee maa naga qaleesid lol."

 

 

Waa kaa qalleeyay, laakin, Carabta wexey ku maahmaahdaa:

 

"Ida kaana rabbul beiti bi-duffi daaribun,

Fa Shiimatu Ahlul Beiti, Al Raqsu"

 

 

Markaad bogataan, ii yeera aan shaah ku sheekeysannee, Loooooooooool.

 

 

By the way, have you heard the Somali word " Tumasho" ,, " wuu tuntaa, wey tumataa etc.'

 

Wexey ka timid Durbaanka iyo Saarka.

 

 

Nur

[Biixi]

Khayr Allaha ku siiyo lol