WAHDAT AND UNITY IN ISLAM by Prominent Sunni Cleric Ustad Hizbullah HAKVERDI (Hilmi KOCAASLAN)

Noble Islam is definitely a religion of ‘TAWHEED’.  It represents a ‘CERTAIN BELIEF’, certain ‘SUBMISSION’, and ‘SERVITUDE’ to Allah SWT. ‘TAWHEED’ requires ‘UNIQUE AUTHORITY/ DOMINATION’ of Allah SWT, thereby necessitating the ‘UNITY OF RELIGIOUS FAITH’, ‘UNITY OF MIND- OPINION- THOUGHT, and ‘UNITY OF CULTURE’, ‘UNITY OF HEARTS- SOULS’, ‘UNITY OF GOALS’ to achieve ‘UNITY OF WORDS, ACTIONS’ among all believers. This divine and luminous formation is called as ‘WAHDAT’, ‘UNITY’ (being together, collaboration with brothers) in Islamic literature.

It is known by the equal to the task that the word of ‘TAWHEED’ and ‘WAHDAT’ are coming from the same root of a word, which are actually derived from the name of ‘ALLAH SWT’s WAHED-UL AHAD name. And this reveals the importance of ‘WAHDAT’ in Islam, which is the requirement, necessity of faith.

This divine and vital duty and fact can be preserved by “WAHDAT” and “UNITY” of believers who are occupied with ‘TAWHEED’ which is the the essential symbol of Islamic Religion.

When Muslims fail to have ‘ISLAMIC’/ ‘TAWHEEDI’ awareness in their life, when they are not in the circle of ‘ISLAMIC WAHDAT’ and ‘UNITY’, when they are in seperate parts, in pieces, noble Islam and Islamic Ummah are besieged from their all directions, thus the ‘DEFEAT’ for them against furious and rabid infidels, apostates, hypocrites will be naturally inevitable.

Many historical events in different times and the happening events of today are obvious tragic examples unfortunately.

There are many proverbs like “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL” or “MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK”, which claim their places throughout in history.

“TOGETHERNESS IS MERCY, DIVISION IS TORMEN.”and “HE WHO DIES OUT OF THE CIRCLE OF COMMUNITY (JAMAAT), HE DIES AS IF A IN CIRCLE OF JAHILIYYA.” Hadith emphasize the importance of “JAMAAT” the “UNITY”, “WAHDAT” of Muslims. (Riyaz’us Salihin 458-462, etc.)

“Allah SWT says, “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him]. And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” (Ali ‘Imran: 102, 103)
“And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment.” (Ali ‘Imran: 105)

“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Al Anfal: 46)

In this way, these ayats and many other ones in Qur’an clearly state, warn that ‘WAHDAT’ and ‘UNITY’ is a religious duty, divine responsibility for Islam and Muslims to strenghten the life and power of believers while ‘DIVISION’, ‘DISCURSION’ open a road of ‘DISGRACE’, ‘ENSLAVEMENT’ for Muslims…

to be continued, inshaallah.