When Muslims turn against each other

An exploration of the a Qur’anic warning reminding believers that division, sectarian rivalry and geopolitical manipulation threaten the unity and future of Muslim societies.

By SHABODIEN ROOMANAY

The writer urges that ‘now, more than ever, wisdom should prevail’ and Muslims should unite and not ‘allow sectarian narratives to dictate our future’. (Image: GreaterKashmir.com) 

In a world increasingly defined by geopolitical manipulation and sectarian rhetoric, a verse from the Qur’an offers a warning that Muslims today would do well to revisit:

‘Here you are, those invited to spend in the cause of Allah—but among you are those who withhold. And whoever withholds only withholds from himself. And Allah is the Free of need, while you are the needy. And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be like you.’ (Sura Muhammad, 47:38)

This verse is often read narrowly as a reminder to give charity or support the Muslim community materially. Yet its deeper meaning is far broader. It speaks to the responsibility of believers to uphold justice, unity and moral clarity. When we abandon these responsibilities, when we succumb to division, manipulation or narrow tribal interests, we risk forfeiting the honour of serving Allah’s cause.

Today, the most dangerous manifestation of that abandonment is the deepening hostility between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

The Qur’an repeatedly warns believers not to break up into rival sects.

‘Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects, you (O Muhammad) have nothing to do with them. Their affair is only with Allah; then He will inform them about what they used to do.’ (Sura Al-An‘am, 6:159)

The message is clear: division weakens the community and betrays the spirit of Islam’s universal message. Yet across the Muslim world, sectarian narratives are being amplified, institutionalised and weaponised. Political actors, both inside and outside the Muslim world, have learned that sectarian conflict is one of the most effective ways to destabilise Muslim societies. It is the use of this language that Professor Edward Said warned Muslims about in his book Covering Islam.

The Sunni–Shia divide, once largely theological and historically contextual, has increasingly been transformed into a geopolitical fault line. Governments, media narratives and strategic alliances have turned our religious identity into a tool of political mobilisation. The Zionist project has mastered the art of finding the Achilles heel of Muslims.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the escalating war surrounding Iran.

For years, Iran has been framed in many international narratives primarily as a destabilising force or a ‘terrorist state’. Whether one agrees or disagrees with this characterisation, the effect of this framing has been unmistakable: it has pushed Sunni-majority states into security alignments with Western military powers. These alignments are often justified as protection against Iranian influence. And the bombs, almost predictably, are now raining on both sides, killing people, destroying infrastructure and creating further fear of one another.

But the resulting dynamic raises a troubling question: who ultimately benefits from a region in which Sunni and Shia powers see each other as existential enemies?

If Muslim-majority nations are drawn into open conflict with one another, the consequences would be catastrophic, not only in human lives but also in the long-term fragmentation of the Muslim world. Economies would be shattered, as we are witnessing right now, societies will be destabilised and generations shaped by bitterness and trauma. Meanwhile, external powers would retain influence as arbiters, security guarantors and, importantly, arms suppliers.

The tragedy would not simply be political. It would be spiritual.

The Qur’anic warning in 47:38 reminds us that our role in history is not guaranteed. If we allow ourselves to be consumed by division, if we prioritise sectarian rivalry over justice, solidarity and wisdom, we risk turning away from the very responsibilities the verse describes.

The verse’s final warning is stark: if we abandon our duty, Allah SWT can and will replace us with others who will uphold it better.

This is not merely a theological statement. It is a moral challenge. A community entrusted with a message of unity cannot afford to become a community defined by division.

The choice facing the Muslim world today is therefore profound. It is not simply about alliances, rivalries or regional power balances. It is about whether we will allow sectarian narratives to dictate our future, or whether we will reclaim the Qur’anic principle that our strength lies in justice, restraint and unity.

After all, Allah SWT reminds us in the Qur’an:

‘You are the best nation produced for mankind: you enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and believe in Allah.’ (Sura Aal-Imran, 3:110)

Now, more than ever, wisdom should prevail. History has shown that great civilisations rarely fall solely because of external enemies. More often, they weaken from within. The Qur’an’s warning reminds us that when a community loses sight of its moral compass, it risks losing its place in history altogether.