The Power of Unity I’ve Witnessed at Hajj

I’m here, in the sacred lands during the most sacred of times. The Day of Arafat has just passed. We now enter into the Days of Tashreeq—days of remembrance, gratitude, and spiritual clarity. And as I walk among millions of my brothers from every race, nationality, and background, I cannot help but marvel at the beautiful unity that is tangible here.

We pray shoulder to shoulder. We chant the same Talbiyah. We raise our hands to the same Lord. And I’m struck with a bittersweet realization: if only this unity extended to our everyday lives, both online and offline.

So let me be unapologetically clear: I am calling for unity, and I will not back down from this call. This isn’t a mere opinion. This is a Divine directive, an instruction embedded deeply in the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and one we have sadly overlooked.

---

Unity: A Divine Command, Not a Suggestion

Let’s begin with the clear words of Allah:

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:103)

This is not a passive invitation. It’s an imperative—“hold firmly”—with an explicit warning—“do not become divided.” Allah could have stopped at the first command, but He emphasized unity by forbidding division.

And in the same Surah, Allah reminds us of the blessing of brotherhood:

“And remember the favor of Allah upon you—when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers…”

— Surah Aal ‘Imran (3:103, continuation)

It’s crystal clear: our unity is a divine gift, and division is a regression to the days of ignorance (Jahiliyyah).

---

What the Prophet ﷺ Taught About Brotherhood

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ repeatedly emphasized brotherhood as the foundation of our community:

“The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts support each other.”

(Bukhari & Muslim)

“Do not envy one another, do not hate one another, do not turn away from one another, and do not undercut one another. Rather, be slaves of Allah as brothers.”

(Muslim, 2564)

“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

(Bukhari & Muslim)

These aren’t Hallmark sentiments. These are faith-defining principles. The Prophet ﷺ didn’t say, “it’s preferred”—he said, “none of you truly believes…”

How, then, can we tolerate the ugly tribalism, nationalism, sectarianism, and ego-fueled arguments that flood our social media feeds?

---

A Time for Tashreeq—And a Time for Reflection

The Days of Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah. But they are also a time to remember something else: who we are as an Ummah.

I see this Ummah right now in Mina and Muzdalifah. I see Africans and Asians. Rich and poor. Scholars and shepherds. All united under “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk.” Why must we wait for Hajj to feel this?

---

Unveiling the Harm of Division Online

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

Online, I see Muslims tearing one another apart over schools of thought, minor theological debates, politics, and even personal choices. Is that really what our Prophet ﷺ wanted for us?

The Prophet ﷺ feared for us division far more than he feared the external enemy. He said:

“The thing I fear most for my Ummah is every eloquent hypocrite.”

(Ahmad)

And:

“Whoever parts from the community by even a hand span has removed the noose of Islam from his neck.”

(Abu Dawood, Hasan)

Do you realize what that means? Just pulling yourself away from the collective Ummah over an ego issue or a disagreement in opinion endangers your own Islam.

---

What Said Nursi Said About Unity

The great thinker Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, in his Risale-i Nur collection, dedicated large sections to the vital importance of unity and sincerity (ikhlas).

He wrote:

“The greatest means for success is unity. And the most effective way to preserve unity is sincerity.”

In his Treatise on Sincerity (Ikhlas Risalesi), he warns that:

“Internal conflict and disunity among believers is more harmful than external enemies.”

He taught that our disagreements should be like the variety in a garden—each flower different, but all complementing, not competing.

---

The Fruits of Brotherhood and Sincerity

Let’s pause to recognize the beauty and blessings that unity brings:

1. Unity Brings Mercy

“The mercy of Allah is with the united group.” (Tirmidhi)

Division removes Allah’s help. Unity draws it in.

2. It Strengthens the Ummah

As the Prophet ﷺ said:

“The wolf only devours the lone sheep.” (Ahmad)

We are safest when we’re together.

3. It Elevates Us Spiritually

Unity humbles the ego. It forces you to listen, love, and prioritize Allah’s pleasure over your own pride.

4. It Attracts the Barakah of Allah

Just as Ikhlas (sincerity) amplifies deeds, unity amplifies the effects of a community. What one cannot do alone, ten united hearts can move mountains with.

---

What I’m Asking From You, My Dear Brothers and Sisters

Let’s bring the unity of Hajj into our homes, our masajid, and our online spaces. When you see a Muslim post something you disagree with—pause. Respond with gentleness. Make dua for them before correcting them.

Stop making takfeer, insults, and mockery the standard currency of online discourse.

Be courageous enough to choose unity, even when others label it “soft” or “compromising.” Because Allah and His Messenger ﷺ elevated those who joined the ranks of the believers, not those who divided them.

---

My Final Plea, from Mina

I am living it right now. I see the power of Muslim unity in every tent, every prayer, every smile exchanged without knowing each other’s language. And I want this to continue long after the days of Hajj end.

Don’t let your smartphone become a weapon of division.

Don’t let your keyboard break the ties your Prophet ﷺ ordered you to build.

Let’s go back to the Quran. Go back to the Sunnah. Go back to sincerity. Go back to brotherhood.

And if that means being mocked for “preaching unity”—then let them mock.

Because I’m here to say it loud and clear:

I am unashamed to call for Muslim unity. And so should you be.