Quran, Unity and Fraternity

TEHRAN (IQNA) – The issue of fraternity and unity in the Muslim Ummah is among the major teachings of the Holy Quran and it has become much more significant in the contemporary era.

Creating unity among Muslims all over the world is among genuine Islamic causes. Strengthening Muslim accord and unanimity has been emphasized in the Quran and in the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Infallible Imams (AS).

In order for the formation of the Islamic Ummah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH), based on the teachings of the Holy Book, started by restructuring the people’s ideology and thinking and to achieve that, he used the available words to gradually introduce new concepts to people. Among the terms used in the Islamic culture to show convergence, consensus and sympathy, is the word Ansar.

The Ansar (The Helpers) were the local inhabitants of Yathrib (later Medina) who took the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his followers (the Muhajirun) into their homes when they emigrated from Mecca during the Hijra.

The best example of how the Prophet (PBUH) created the Ummah based on the Quranic teachings is the one in Medina in the form of Ansar.

The Holy Quran mentions creating the Ummah as one of the mission of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and describes the Ummah at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) as the best society formed by that time.

One of the features the Quran mentions for the exemplary Ummah is that they do Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and cooperation with each other on the basis of goodness and Taqwa (God-fearing): “Co-operate with each other in righteousness and piety,…” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, verse2)

Also, fraternity among them is so much that they forget about themselves and sacrifice what they have for their religious brothers. They do not engage in spying on one another, and avoid backbiting, libeling and slandering,

The Quran also looks at the issue of unity from a social perspective and underlined its importance among people and Abrahamic faiths.

“And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter. Remember the Favor of Allah bestowed upon you when you were enemies, and how He united your hearts, so that by His Favor you became brothers.” (Surah Al Imran, verse 103)

Quran attaches so much importance on unity that describes it as a special favor and mentions God’s direct role in creating it. The Holy Book also calls on Muslims to remember the bitter era of discord and chaos and make efforts to maintain unity.