BITS OF EMAAN

Unity is Fard

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “I guarantee an abode on the boundary of Paradise for him who gives up a quarrel, even if he is right.” [Abu Dawud]

“Will we pray twenty Rakaat for Taraweeh?”

“No, only eight are proven from the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam).”

“In the time of Umar (radi Allahu anhu) the Sahabah prayed twenty Rakaat in Jamaat. Did they do something wrong then?!"

“The evidence for praying twenty is weak. We only saw our elders pray eight!”

“The evidence for eight is weak. We will pray twenty!”

In the early part of the twentieth century, in a village far from Cairo, the congregation in a Masjid was heatedly debating. Before this argument could turn into a fight, Hasan al-Banna, a stranger among them called out, “O brothers!” His tone caught everybody’s attention. “I have been witnessing your debate on the issue of Taraweeh for quite a while now. It is against the etiquettes of a Masjid to create commotion in it while the issue is getting more entangled than resolved. If you answer two questions for me this issue may get resolved. Will you permit me to ask you these questions?” Many raised their voices in affirmation.

“First, what is the Sharii Hukm, the ruling, regarding Taraweeh? Is it a Fard or a Nafl?” the stranger asked.

“It is a Nafl” replied many voices in unison.

“Excellent! Now tell me what the ruling is in Islam regarding the unity, brotherhood and love among Muslims. Is it a Fard or a Nafl?”

“It is a Fard,” replied the people. “O brothers. Nafl is that deed which if at some time you do not perform it does not make you sinful while Fard is that thing which if neglected makes a person sinful. Is this correct?”

“Yes, this is absolutely true,” replied the crowd.

“’And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves.’ [Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayat 103] Allah commands us to hold tightly together to His rope for infighting demoralizes and weakens resolve.

‘Do not quarrel among yourselves lest you lose heart and your momentum disappear.’ [Surah al-Anfal, Ayat 46] Taraweeh is a Nafl while unity is a Fard. So you tell me what you would consider a person who creates disunity among Muslims for the implementation of a Nafl. Is he a well-wisher of the Ummah and Deen or an enemy?”

“An enemy, an enemy.”

“Should you aid the person who is driving wedges between people or reason with him to stop doing so?” “We should try to stop him.”

“Is the issue of eight or twenty Rakaat dearer to you or the brotherhood of Muslims?”

“Unity and brotherhood!”

“If you desire the unity of Muslims you will have to sacrifice for it. Are you willing to sacrifice for it?”

“We are willing to make all kinds of sacrifices for it!”

“The only sacrifice you have to make is to follow the Imam you most trust or research you feel most satisfied with. Explain to others with evidence from the Quran and Sunnah but acknowledge and accept the other’s right to act according to his opinion and evidence, because every Muslim brings evidence to prove his position from the Quran and Sunnah. Nobody uses the Bible or Talmud to substantiate their claims. It is natural that there will be differences in the interpretation of Sharii evidence. Follow the ruling that you feel is correct and work together to bring into practice the fundamental issues of the Deen on which all Muslims are in agreement. When your enemy fires at you he will not differentiate between Shafeis and Hanafis, he will not care to see who prays eight Rakaat for Taraweeh and who prays twenty. In his eyes all who believe La-ilah-ill-Allah are his enemies. His success is in your infighting. The need of the hour is to rise above our differences of opinion and stand united against injustice, oppression and disbelief.”
Isn't it a wonderful lesson. Islam is a vast religion. We are bounded to have difference. So instead of prying on the difference we must concentrate on our good deed and maintain unity.
~Assalamualaikum
Remember me in your duas brothers and sisters In sha Allah. May Allah's mercy be on us In sha Allah.