Islamic Unity Week: Islamic Revolution & Idea of Unity among World Muslims

According to Sunni Muslims, as per the reports of the Prophet’s companions who became acquainted with him in the last years of his life, he was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal. Shi’a Muslims, on the basis of the accounts of the Prophet’s blessed household, the Ahl al-Bayt, consider family reports to be more reliable and mark the Prophet’s birthday on Rabi al-Awwal 17. The Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (God bless him), in order to gather Muslims on a single platform, above trivial differences, initiated the Islamic Unity Week in 1979, which has since gathered momentum and is spreading the message of solidarity around the world, despite the intricate sectarian plots of the enemies to splinter Muslim ranks by creating cannibalistic Takfiri terrorist outfits, such as Daesh, al-Qa’eda and their offshoots. Today’s topic is “Islamic Revolution & idea of Unity among World Muslims.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Imam Ali Khamenei, has commented on many occasions on the issue of unity among world Muslims. On one occasion he said: “Islamic unity does not mean that a particular Islamic sect should give up its religious beliefs or accept the points of views of other Islamic sects. We are not saying to various Islamic denominations that they should relinquish their points of views, or accept the views of other denominations. But we are saying to all the Muslims that what we have in common is much more important, fundamental and substantial than our differences. Our enemies put the emphasis on what divides Muslims. In our case we should do the exact opposite. We should always put the emphasis on our common stances, our common points of view, what brings us closer together. We mustn’t let the enemies divide us, we mustn’t allow the enemies to find a weak point in the armour of the Islamic Ummah.”

The unity of the Islamic Ummah is a very important issue. Its importance can be gauged by the number of times that the closeness and brotherhood of believers is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), has also emphasized the need for oneness, unity and brotherhood among the Islamic Ummah. The Infallible Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace upon them) have all emphasized the same thing, that is, the monolithic nature of the Islamic Ummah and the vital need to solidify Muslim ranks. It is worth noting that wherever togetherness and unity are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, the Almighty praises this, and wherever division and disunity are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, usually this is accompanied by an admonition warning by the Lord Most High. Arguably, the most famous Ayah of the Holy Qur’an which urges everyone to hold on tightly to the Rope of God and not to create discord is ayah 103 of Surah Aal-e Imran. It says: “Hold fast the Rope of Allah, altogether, and do not be divided.” Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) considered unity of the Islamic Ummah as “the key to success and flourishing of an Islamic society”. Thus, it means “the secret” of a successful Islamic society lies in the unity and togetherness of the Islamic Ummah. Let us also remember that the Prophet of Islam’s divinely-decreed vicegerent, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (PuH), on many occasions practically demonstrated the worth and value of Islamic unity by giving up his political right of leadership of the Ummah in order to preserve and promote solidarity amongst Muslims, and not allow division and discord to take root. As a matter of fact, no efforts were spared by all the 12 Infallible Imams of the Prophet’s Household to promote and preserve Islamic unity.

In our modern era, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 under the leadership of Imam Khomeini, also gave a high priority to unity and togetherness of the Muslim world. In fact, the Late Imam Khomeini introduced “Islamic unity” as one of his main slogans and main objectives, because it is emphasized so much in Islam. Islamic Iran’s constitution also guarantees the safety and freedom of all followers of different religions, and in particular the freedom of all followers of different Islamic denominations. Over the years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has done a great deal to promote and encourage unity among different schools of Islamic jurisprudence. Two crucial steps which Iran has taken in this regard, is the formation of “the World Assembly for Proximity of Islamic schools of Jurisprudence”, and designating the anniversary of the Prophet of Islam’s auspicious birthday in this month of Rabi al-Awwal as “Islamic Unity Week.” The discourse and progress of the Islamic Revolution in Iran and abroad, has taken shape based upon the teachings of genuine Mohammadan Islam. Islam looks kindly and caringly upon the oppressed and the poor, and at the same time, takes a stern and decisive line against oppressors and tyrants. Thus, maximum unity among Muslims is one of the central objectives of the discourse of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, because the dignity and power of Muslims is largely dependent upon how united they are and to the extent to which they speak with one voice. The more united the Islamic Ummah, the more power and clout will Muslims have. A united Islamic Ummah frightens Islam’s enemies.

The illegal Zionist entity called Israel, which is one of Islamic Ummah’s most implacable enemies, has militarily occupied Palestine for at least seven decades, and has done everything it can to divide Muslims . The idea of an International Quds Day — on the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadhan — and holding rallies and marches in support of the Palestinian cause, is also an Iranian idea, which has done a great deal to highlight the plight of the Palestinians worldwide. In fact, the idea belonged to the Father of the Islamic Revolution. If Muslims assemble on one Platform and demonstrate their unity and solidarity, they will indeed become a Great Power. Thus, it is true to say that the Islamic Revolution wants true brotherhood and unity among Muslims. Islam will have much more power and clout in the world, if Muslims of all denominations unite and stand together. Much of the world’s oil and gas resources arc located in Muslim countries, and a united Islamic Ummah will mean, no country in the world would even dare to transgress militarily against these countries. If Muslims unite, the huge wealth of Islamic lands will be used for improving living standards and modernizing these nations. This is how it should be.