Anam 159 | aamsaafank's Blog

Anam 159

159- AS FOR THOSE WHO DIVIDED THEIR RELIGION INTO FACTIONS, YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THEM; THEIR CASE WILL BE LEFT TO ALLAH, WHO WILL INFORM THEM OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

Allah the Highest is telling us that those who divide the religion and its followers into factions are not following Allah the Highest and His messenger prayer and peace upon him.   Division means disputes and weakness, Therefore, Allah the Highest commands us not to divide.  He said: “AND HOLD FIRMLY TO ALLAH’S ROBE ALL TOGETHER AND DO NOT DIVIDE, AND REMEMBER ALLAH’S BOUNTY UPON YOU AS YOU WERE ENEMIES, BUT BECAME BROTHERS THROUGH HIS BOUNTY”.  (S:3 A:103)

This does not mean that we should not have different opinions, but we should remember that different opinions should not lead to animosity and division.

There are various Mazhabs (Schools of thought) in Islam, like Hanafi, Maleki, Shafae, and Hanbali, as well as other less prominent ones.  They were scholars who gave their opinions in matters concerning religion, based on the Quran and Hadith.  These opinions did not normally involve the fundamentals of the Faith, but about issues not specified in the Quran and Hadith.

There are different opinions on how should one hold his hands while standing in Salah, but not about the Salah and how it should be performed.  They also realize that other actions are not necessarily wrong.  Therefore, Muslims of different Mazhabs pray together, or if the Mazhab of the Imam is different from those he leads in Salah.  It is not necessary for every Muslim to have a Mazhab and follow it, for the founders of the Mazhabs were scholars not prophets.

Looking at the differences between the Suni and Shaet which many people are only happy to stress and throw light on.  When looking closely, we find no differences between the Suni and Shyat in principle.  Both have the same Quran, believe in the same prophet, pray the same prayer at the same times, Fast Ramadan, Give Zakah and go on Pilgrimage to the same places.  We follow the same Islamic Law.  Any differences there are not in fundamentals of the Faith and Religion.  They are not in any way like the differences between the Catholics and Protestants, or the differences between the Jews and Christians.

Sadly, we look more at the differences and inflate them and do not recognize the similarities.  We see what divides our Muslim nation, not what units the nation.  No doubt we will be questioned about this by He who said: “AND HOLD FIRMLY TO ALLAH’S ROBE ALL TOGETHER AND DO NOT DIVIDE, AND REMEMBER ALLAH’S BOUNTY UPON YOU AS YOU WERE ENEMIES, BUT BECAME BROTHERS THROUGH HIS BOUNTY, AND YOU WERE ON THE EDGE OF PIT OF FIRE, BUT HE SAVED YOU FROM IT.  AS SUCH ALL CLARIFIES HIS AYAHS TO SO THAT YOU MAY BE RIGHTLY GUIDED”.  (S:3 A:103)