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| Unity in Islam & Prohibition of Sectarianism |
Unity in Islam & Prohibition of Sectarianism – Quran, Sunnah, and Historic Sermons
1. Sectarianism is Strictly Prohibited in Islam
Islam is a religion of unity and brotherhood. The Qur’an clearly warns against dividing the Ummah into sects and factions.
a. Surah Aal-e-Imran – Verse 103
وَاعْتَصِمُوا۟ بِحَبْلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًۭا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا۟
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided…”
(Qur’an 3:103)
Explanation:
- Rope of Allah means the Qur’an and Sunnah.
- The verse commands collective adherence to Islamic teachings and forbids breaking into rival groups.
- It reminds us of the time before Islam when Arabs were divided into hostile tribes, and how Allah united them through Islam.
b. Surah Al-An‘am – Verse 159
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا۟ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا۟ شِيَعًۭا لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ ۚ
“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects – you, [O Muhammad], are not associated with them in anything…”
(Qur’an 6:159)
Explanation:
- Allah distances Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from those who cause sectarian splits.
- This is a stern warning that dividing Islam into sects is a grave sin.
- On the Day of Judgment, such people will face Allah directly without the Prophet’s intercession for their division.
2. We Are Named as “Muslims” – Not Sect Labels
In Islam, the only valid identity for a believer is being a Muslim, as per the Qur’an.
مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ هُوَ سَمَّىٰكُمُ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ مِن قَبْلُ وَفِى هَـٰذَا لِيَكُونَ ٱلرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًۭا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ
“Follow the religion of your father Abraham. He has named you ‘Muslims’ both before and in this (Qur’an), so that the Messenger may be a witness over you and you may be witnesses over mankind.”
(Qur’an 22:78 – Surah Al-Hajj)
Explanation:
- Allah reminds us that our true identity comes from Him, not from man-made sectarian titles.
- The ayah links this identity with Prophet Ibrahim (AS), showing it’s the original, pure faith.
- Being “Muslims” carries the responsibility of being witnesses of truth to the world.
3. The Only Accepted Deen – Islam
a. Most Prominent and True Religion
إِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمُ
“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam.”
(Qur’an 3:19)
b. The Final & Completed Religion
ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ… وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا
“Today I have perfected for you your religion… and approved for you Islam as your religion.”
(Qur’an 5:3)
Explanation:
- Islam is the only accepted way of life before Allah.
- Any deviation from its core teachings – whether by adding new sectarian beliefs or rejecting established truths – is a distortion.
4. Khutbah Hajj-tul-Wida (Farewell Sermon)
During his final pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered a historic sermon summarizing Islam’s moral, spiritual, and social framework.
It strongly emphasized Muslim unity and equality.
Key excerpts:
- “O people! Your Lord is One. Your father is one. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black over a white – except by piety and good action.” (Musnad Ahmad – 22978)
- “I leave behind me two things, the Qur’an and my Sunnah; if you follow them, you will never go astray.”
Relevance:
- Directly opposes racism, tribalism, and sectarianism.
- Reminds us that unity is an obligation, not an option.
5. Khutbah Ghadir Khum – Sahih Muslim 6225–6228
After returning from Hajj, at Ghadir Khum, the Prophet ﷺ addressed the gathering:
“I am leaving among you two weighty things: the Book of Allah and my family (Ahlul Bayt). Hold fast to both, and you will never go astray.”
(Sahih Muslim – 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228)
Explanation:
- A call to remain steadfast upon Qur’an and the Prophet’s family – another anchor of unity.
- Ignoring either leads to division and misguidance.
- Shows that unity is tied to respecting both the Qur’an and the Prophet’s lineage without extremism.
Conclusion – A Call to Muslim Unity
- Islam rejects sectarian labels and divisions.
- We are commanded to unite under the name “Muslims”, holding fast to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
- Sectarianism weakens the Ummah and contradicts the Qur’an’s guidance.
- Both Khutbah Hajj-tul-Wida and Khutbah Ghadir Khum reinforce unity as a central Islamic value.
Final Reminder:
Unity is not just a political need – it is a Qur’anic obligation and a Sunnah practice.
JAZAKALLAHU KHAYRAN
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“My Lord, increase me in knowledge.”
(Qur’an 20:114)
اَللّٰهُمَّ أَرِنَا الْحَقَّ حَقًّا وَارْزُقْنَا اتِّبَاعَهُ،
وَأَرِنَا الْبَاطِلَ بَاطِلًا وَارْزُقْنَا اجْتِنَابَهُ،
وَلَا تَجْعَلْهُ مُلْتَبِسًا عَلَيْنَا فَنَضِلَّ
“O Allah, show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it. Do not make it unclear to us, lest we go astray.”
اللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَ،
وَكَمَا صَلَّى نَبِيُّنَا مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ
وَارْزُقْنَا الْخُشُوعَ وَالْإِخْلَاصَ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ.
🌸 Jazakumullahu Khayran for reading.
🌙 May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
✍️ Written By:
Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah
Student of Islam and Science | Researcher | Thinker | Against Sectarianism | Reviving Ummah | Qur'an and Sunnah
© 2019– Rizwan Ibn Ali Abdullah. All Rights Reserved.
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