Let this Eid unite us!

Let this Eid unite us! We all should rise above our difference and stand united. That is the greatest gift which Eid has to offer Javeed Ali All gratitude to Allah Almighty for bestowing on us the blessings of Ramadan. Let’s hope and pray that we continue our good deeds and religious obligations with the same zeal and zest as we performed in the holy month of Ramadan. I am writing this piece with the hope that this message goes to all the Muslim scholars and clerics of the world who have been enjoined a sensitive and responsible job of leading and preaching the Muslim Ummah. I am not a religious scholar or a political activist. You are more aware about the religion and world happenings than me. I am writing this message with an urge to request you to use your deep and profound knowledge for the unity of Muslim Ummah. We are living in times where your mere ‘slip of tongue’ reaches even to the person sitting millions of miles away. So your set of words can make or mar the Muslim Ummah. You have your constituency and share of followers. They listen to your lectures and sermons with the belief that you are guiding them on the right path. So their bright future prospects lies on your guardianship if it is in line with the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Holy Qur’an. It’s crystal clear that you have a huge responsibility on your shoulders to take the Muslim Ummah on the path of righteousness and salvation. You should aware the people the importance of unity in Islam and teach lessons of moral ethics. The pulpit should not be used to issue Fatwas (religious decree) of hatred and disbelief against the fellow Muslims. We should firmly believe that unity of Muslim Ummah is for the good of Islam and anyone who works against unity is damaging the principles of Islam. There are hundreds of reasons and traditions which call for unity instead of splitting the Muslim Ummah. Some clerics just for monetary benefits and fame pit people against each other by their hate and provocative speeches. We should not allow these people to sit on the sacred place of Islam which is to give life to humanity instead of death and destruction. Holy Qur’an – the final revelation to mankind – has quite emphatically and unambiguously stressed the importance of unity and peaceful co-existence. “And hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together and be not divided” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse No. 103). When the Holy Qur’an lays such strong emphasis on unity, how can those creating discord and spreading venom claim to be the true followers of Islam! We are trapped in a distressing situation now. Very frequently we see clerics challenging each other for a Munazira (open debate) on trivial issues through social media. Our enemies are making plots against Islam and Islamic traditions and we are wasting time on cursing each other. The fault within us is that we listen more to that cleric who divides us than the one who unites us. Today, the enemies of Islam and humanity are hell-bent on dividing Muslims on sectarian lines. They use social media to spread hate among various sects, which eventually becomes the cause of conflict and estrangement between the various communities. America, Israel, Britain and their allies have made a staggering investment in the sectarianism/takfirism project to divide people and to malign the image of Islam, which is the fastest growing religion in the West. To foil their nefarious designs, it is of utmost importance to forge unity and stand in solidarity with each other. The best moment to get Muslims united is during the time of Islamic events or festivals. For instance, during the time of Hajj pilgrimage as people from all over the world converge at one place. They can converse with each other and can urge their respective leaders to get united under one platform. Likewise, the festival of Eid can also be utilised for the same purpose. Imam Khomeini (R.A.), the leader of the Islamic revolution in Iran, was a strong advocate of Islamic unity and brotherhood. “We Muslims are busy bickering over whether to fold our hands in prayer or not, while the enemy is devising plans to chop them off,” he once said. He always urged Muslims to unite against the enemies of Islam. The week of unity (Hafta-e-Wahdat), which is observed in the month of Rabiul Awwal to mark the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), was an idea originally proposed by him to bring Muslims closer. Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has quite admirably followed on the footsteps of his mentor. “Those who provoke Sunni Muslims against the Shias and Shia Muslims against the Sunnis support neither Shia nor the Sunni. They are opposed to Islam and work for the enemies of Islam.” he reiterated it number of times. Ayatollah Sistani has also been a strong votary of Muslim brotherhood. Sunnis, he has repeatedly said, are “not our brothers, but our souls”. Before Christopher Columbus discovered America and Europeans embraced civilization, Muslims had already made huge advances in various fields. The decline started when Muslims became prey to the vicious plots of enemies and got divided into sects and groups. Let’s wish and pray that our religious scholars and clerics will make solemn pledge on this Eid to unite Muslim Ummah and will pray Eid prayers together standing shoulder to shoulder with each school of thought. This noble gesture will bring the happiness of Allah Almighty and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and will help us to unite the splintered Muslim Ummah. May this Eid bring peace and unity among all of us. Aameen.