By Ḥāfiẓ Nadīm Ẓahīr
① The Plight of the Muslim Ummah
The Muslim community today faces numerous challenges, many of which stem from division, discord, and needless disagreements. This situation—much like a caged lion offered prey at a distance—leaves hearts racing, minds anguished, and eyes tearful. Adversaries not only exploit these wounds but also pour salt on them:
① Insulting depictions of our Prophet ﷺ are circulated.
② The blasphemer Rushdie was even honored with the title “Sir.”
③ Spiritually, physically, and mentally weakened Muslims writhe in agony.
② Questions for the Ummah
❀ How long will we remain mired in division and discord?
❀ When will we see the glad tidings that the Ummah has united upon the platform of Qur’an & Ḥadīth?
③ When Disagreement Becomes Destructive
Disagreement in itself is not blameworthy. However, when it:
① Transforms into conflict and strife,
② Breeds jealousy, grudges, and corruption,
③ Turns personal loyalties into factional centers,
④ Splinters the Ummah into sects—
then it becomes a matter of grave concern.
④ A Moment for Introspection (لمحہ فکریہ)
What role should we play to reunify the Muslims into a single community? The answer lies in:
① Purely preaching the Qur’an & Ḥadīth.
② Recognizing that the Straight Path and Ummah’s unity depend solely on these two sources.
“O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you. If you differ over anything, refer it back to Allah and His Messenger…”
﴿An-Nisā’: 59﴾
This āyah unequivocally commands that any dispute be resolved by returning to the Book and the Sunnah—the tried-and-true cure for sectarianism.
⑤ The Prophetic Criterion
❀ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of guidance is the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 867)
❀ He also warned:
“I leave you on a bright white path, night as clear as day. Whoever deviates after me will perish.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah 43 — ṣaḥīḥ)
Our pious predecessors never accepted anyone’s words over the Qur’an & Sunnah:
“I would never abandon the Prophet’s Sunnah for the sayings of anyone.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1563)
⑥ The Dangers of Taqlīd (Blind Following)
Blindly imitating scholars has rended the Ummah:
❀ “Do not imitate people in your religion…”
(Sunan al-Kubrā al-Bayhaqī — ṣaḥīḥ)
❀ “Even if a scholar is guided, do not imitate him in your religion.”
(Jāmiʿ Bayān al-ʿIlm 2/11)
⑦ Summary & Call to Action
The time demands that the Muslim Ummah rise in unity and organization—possible only when we accept the Qur’an & Ḥadīth as our sole guides and consistently implement them. This is the true antidote to sectarianism, guaranteeing honor in this world and success in the Hereafter, Insha’Allah.
