The Distinctive Merit of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ Despite Division into Sects
Source: Fatāwā Amanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
❖ Question:
The communities of Sayyiduna Mūsā (AS) and Sayyiduna ‘Īsā (AS) were divided into sects, and the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ also divided into sects. So what is the special distinction of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ?
❖ Answer:
Yes, the Ummah of Mūsā (AS) and the Ummah of ‘Īsā (AS) were divided, but very few among them remained on the truth. In contrast, within the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, the number of those who remain steadfast upon the truth is relatively greater.
Furthermore:
- Among the Jews and Christians, the truth-following group existed only for a limited time.
- Among the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, the truth-following group will always remain until the Day of Judgment, never overcome by opponents.
This everlasting endurance and divine protection is a unique honor exclusively granted to the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
✿ Evidence from Hadith
Sayyiduna Thawbān (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لا تزال طائفة من أمتي ظاهرين على الحق، لا يضرهم من خذلهم، حتى يأتى أمر الله وهم كذلك.
“A group from my Ummah will always remain manifest upon the truth. Those who oppose them will not be able to harm them, until the command of Allah comes while they are still upon this state.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1920)
❖ Another Distinction
The Jews and Christians did not have such dominance of the truth-following group. By contrast, in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, the truth-following group has always been, and will remain, dominant until the Day of Judgment.
Conclusion:The distinction of the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, despite divisions, is that a victorious and steadfast group will always remain upon the truth until the end of time, a blessing not granted to any previous nation.
