An Invitation to Muslims to become a United Ummah [Nation]
Hadrat Moulana Mohammed Y�suf S�hib (Rahmatull�hi 'alaihi) delivered his last and decisive discourse in Raiwind District, Lahore, on Tuesday after Fajr Sal�h, three days before his demise on the 26th Dhul Qa'dah corresponding to 30th March. This lengthy discourse was submitted by Moul�na Abdul Aziz Khulnawi. The discourse has been edited and abridged for the benefit of the readers. An effort was made not to omit any important aspect of the discourse. Hadrat Moul�na (Rahmatull�hi 'alaihi) started his discourse after the masn�n khutbah [address] as follows:
Look! I am not feeling well. I did not sleep throughout the night. Despite this, I am speaking out of necessity. Whoever will understand and make am�l [practise], All�h Ta'�la will cause him to prosper, otherwise you will cause your own destruction.
This Ummah was formed with great difficulty. Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallall�hu 'alayhi wasallam and the Sah�bah Radiall�hu anhu bore great amount of hardship to build this Ummah. The enemies of Isl�m, the Jews and Christians, have always made an effort to disunite this Ummah into bits and pieces. Currently, the Muslims have lost the quality of unity. A few hundred thousand Muslims dominated this world as long as the Ummah stood united.Approximately all the Arabs had accepted Isl�m by the ninth year of hijr�, at a time when not a single solid building structure was constructed. In fact, the masjid was also not a solid structure. Moreover, unto then, no lamp was lit in the masjid. The first person to light a lamp in Masjidun Nabaw� was Hadrat Tam�m D�r� Radhiall�hu anhu. He became a Muslim in the ninth year of hijr�. In short, people of different clans, languages and nations formed a united Ummah. Only when this was achieved, a lamp was lit in the masjid. However, before the physical lamp was lit, the prophetic n�r of hid�yah [light of guidance] had already spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and even further. Thereafter, this Ummah presided over this world. Countries upon countries fell at their feet, wherever they went.
This Ummah was formed when no individual supported his own family, community, group, party, nation, country and language. None took into consideration his personal wealth, property and family. In fact, each individual's concern was only the order of All�h and His Ras�I Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam. This Ummah will only unite when all relationships and ties are broken to fulfil the command of All�h and His Ras�l Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam. When the Muslims were a united Ummah, the murder of a single Muslim soul anywhere in the world used to activate the entire Ummah to retaliate. Presently, hundreds of thousands of Muslims are murdered, but no finger is raised.
One nation or the residents of one area do not form the Ummah. The Ummah is formed when thousands of nations and areas unite. Whoever considers a particular nation or area to be his and others to be strange is disuniting the Ummah into bits and pieces. He is actually nullifying the efforts of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallall�hu 'alayhi wasallam and the Sahabah Radhiall�hu anhu. The Muslims have divided the Ummah into pieces and the Jews and Christians are just reducing them into smithereens. If the present Muslims will become Muslims in the true sense, then the combined powers of the world will not be able to harm them in the least. The atom bomb and rockets will not be able to destroy them. However, if they continue disuniting on the basis of nations and geographical areas, then, by the Oath of All�h Ta'�la, their armies and weapons will not save them.The Muslims of the entire world are divided and murdered because they have destroyed their unity by nullifying the sacrifices of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallall�hu 'alayhi wasallam. I am expressing the sorrow of my heart before you. All this destruction is because the Ummah has not remained an Ummah. In fact, we have forgotten what is an Ummah and how did Sayyidina Ras�lullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam form an Ummah.
The performance of sal�h, making of dhikr, the existence of mad�ris and imparting of knowledge therein is insufficient for the formation of an Ummah and the descending of divine help. Ibnu MuIjim, the person who murdered Hadrat 'Ali was a regular musalli and dh�kir. At the time of his execution, when the people, out of anger, wanted to cut his tongue, he said: "Punish me as you please, but do not cut my tongue. I wish to spend the last moments of my life in the remembrance of All�h Ta'�la." Despite this, Sayyiduna Rasalullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam said: "The person who murders Hadrat Ali Radhiall�hu anhu will be the most wretched amongst my Ummah."Abul Fadhl and Faid� also acquired knowledge in a madrasah. They were so proficient in their knowledge that they wrote a tafs�r of the Holy Qur'�n using only those alphabets which do not have any diacritical points. Despite this, they were responsible for leading the Emperor Akbar astray and destroying Din. Hence, the quality of dhikr and knowledge that were found in Ibnu MuIjim and Abul Fadl and Faid� respectively were not sufficient for the unification of the Ummah and for divine assistance to descend.
Hadrat Sh�h Ism�'�l Shah�d, Sayyid Ahmad Shahid Rahmatull�hi 'alaihuma and their companions were an excellent band of people as far as piety is concerned. When they reach the Sarhadi (border area of the Indo‑Pak subcontinent), the residents of that area accepted them to be their leaders. In the meanwhile, Shayt�n divided the Muslims of that area by whispering the following in the hearts of a few Muslims, "These are strange people, why should they be given leadership in this area?" Consequently, they rebelled and many Muslims were made shah�d [martyred]. In this manner, the Muslims themselves have destroyed the unity of the Ummah based on geographical areas. All�h Ta'�la caused the English to rule over them as a punishment for their rebellion.Remember! Slogans like: "my nation", "my country", "my community", disunites the Ummah. Allah Ta'�la dislikes such slogans. A distinguished Sah�bi like Hadrat Sa'd bin 'Ubadah Radhiall�hu anhu committed an error in this matter. If his error was not rectified, then disunity would have occurred between the Ans�r and Mahajir�n. Nevertheless, Hadrat Sa'd Radhiall�hu anhu had to suffer the consequence of this error in this world. It is narrated that the jinn�ts murdered him. Thereafter a voice from the unseen expressed the following couplet:
"We killed the chief of the Khazraj, Sa'd bin 'Ub�dah. We threw an arrow at him that pierced his heart."
This is an exemplary lesson. It teaches that even if the best of the people break the unity of the Ummah based on nationalism, racism or geographical position, then All�h Ta'�la destroys him.
The Ummah will be formed when from amongst them all classes of people, without any distinction, will become involved in the effort of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam.Remember! The corruption of monetary and social dealings destroys the unity of the Ummah. Disunity is created when one individual or group oppressors another, the one does not fulfil the rights or harms or degrades and belittles the other. Therefore, state that only kalimah and tasb�h is insufficient for the unification of the Ummah. The Ummah will be formed when monetary and social dealings are rectified and each one respects and fulfils the rights, of the other. In fact, the Ummah will only be formed when personal rights and benefits are sacrificed for others. Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, Hadrat Ab� Bakr and Hadrat 'Umar Radiall�hu anhum sacrificed all what they possessed and bore difficulties to form this Ummah.
Once in the time of Hadrat 'Um�r Radhiall�hu anhu, much wealth came to Madinah Munawwarah. A mashwarah [discussion] took place with regard to its distribution. This was a time when the Ummah was already formed. The members of the mashwarah were not connected to one particular clan or class of people. They were from different tribes and groups. They were the distinguished companions of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam. They decided that the major portion of the wealth should be given to those who belonged to the tribe of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam. Thereafter, the remaining wealth should be distributed amongst those who belonged to the tribe of Hadrat Ab� Bakr Radhiall�hu anhu and, finally, amongst those who belong to the tribe of Hadrat 'Um�r Radhiall�hu anhu.
Hadrat 'Um�r refused this proposal when it was presented to him. He remarked: "It is through the means and blessings of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam that the Ummah is receiving and has received whatever it possess. Therefore, the relationship of Sayyidina Ras�lullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam will be regarded as a yardstick for distribution: those who are more closely related to Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam will be entitled to receive more. Hence, the Ban� H�shim will receive most. Thereafter, the children of Abdi Man�f will receive, followed by the children of Qusay, Ka'b and Murrah respectively. According to this decision, the name of Hadrat 'Um�r's Radhiall�hu anhu tribe appeared amongst the last in the list. Hence, they received a very small share of the wealth. This is how the Ummah was formed. Hadrat 'Um�r Radhiall�hu anhu, gave preference to the others over his own tribe.Mutual unity is essential for the formation of the Ummah. Dissention should not be sown. Sayyidina Ras�lull�h is reported to have said: "A person who had performed Sal�h, paid Zak�h, observed fast, went for Hajj and did the work of tabligh in this worldly life will be brought forth on the Day of Qiy�mah. Despite his good deeds, he will be punished because of a statement he uttered which sowed discord in the Ummah. It will be said to him, "You should firstly suffer the punishment of your statement which caused discord to the Ummah." On the other hand, another person who had neglected the performance of Sal�h, paying Zak�h, etc. will be presented. He will be very fearful of receiving divine punishment. Despite his negligence, he will be bestowed with much reward. He will ask out of surprise, in lieu of which action is this kindness. The following answer will be given, "You uttered a statement on a certain occasion, which saved the Ummah from mischief and created unity amongst them.
"The usage of the tongue is most effective in the formation and disintegration of the Ummah. The tongue is an organ which could unite or break hearts. Mischief is created when a single wrong statement is uttered by the tongue and circulated. Similarly, a single correct statement creates unity between broken hearts. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to control the usage of the tongue. This will be achieved when a person realises the omnipresence of All�h Ta'�la. He hears everything that is uttered.
Aus and Khazraj were the two Ans�r tribes of Madinah Munawwarah. They hated and fought with each other for generations. Centuries of mutual hatred and fighting terminated when Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam arrived in Madinah Munawwarah and they were blessed with Isl�m. They became intimate friends of each other through the blessings of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam and Isl�m.
The Jews could not tolerate this unity. They plotted to sow discord amongst them. They appointed a person to recite some poetry concerning their previous battles against each other in an assembly where individuals of both clans were present. This initially provoked them to verbally abuse each other. Thereafter, they drew out their swords to fight. When Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam was informed about the situation, he immediately arrived and said:
"Will you murder one another in my presence?" On this occasion, Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam delivered a brief, but touching address. Both clans realised their error. They cried bitterly and embraced one another. The following ay�h [verses] were revealed on this occasion. "O Believers! Fear All�h as is the right of fearing Him and never die except in the condition that you are Muslims..."
When a person will realise the omnipresence of All�h Ta'�la at all times, he will fear His Punishment and Wrath and obey Him at every breath. In such a case, Shayt�n will never be able to mislead him. In addition, the Ummah will be saved from disunity and every other type of evil.All�h Ta'�la says: "United hold firm to the rope of All�h (the Holy Qur'�n and D�n. In other words, all of you should permanently hold firmly to the Rope of Din with complete unity). And do not be divided (on the basis of nations, geographical positions, languages or anything else). And remember the Bounty of All�h upon you when you were enemies (of one another for centuries), then He united your hearts and, through His Bounty, you became brothers. And you were on the edge of the pit of Jahannum (about to fall therein when you mutually fought), then All�h saved you therefrom."
Shayt�n accompanies you everywhere. To save yourself from his evil, there should exist a group amongst you whose work will be to encourage the good and discourage the evil. All�h says: "There should exist a group from amongst you who will call towards good (D�n), they should command all that is good (by striving in the Path of All�h Ta'�la, to make an effort upon im�n, sal�h, dhikr, knowledge of nub�wat, etc) and prevent from all that is evil." The Ummah will become a united one through these efforts.Thereafter, All�h Ta'�la says. "And do not become like those who were divided and differed after clear signs had reached them. There is a gruesome punishment for such people. (A distressing punishment awaits those who follow Shayt�n and employ various means to create differences and disunite the Ummah even after being advised.)"
All the instructions and teachings of D�n are for uniting the Ummah. The performance of sal�h and observance of saum fasting engender unity. Haj unites the Muslims of diverse cultures from various lands speaking different languages. Similarly, the programme of teaching others (ta'lim) unites the Ummah. Mutual honour and, love and exchanging of gifts also creates unity. All these a'mal [deeds] pave the way towards Jannah. The faces of those who make an effort on these a'm�l will be illuminated on the Day of Qiy�mah.Contrary to this are those a'm�l which creates disunity and paves the way towards Jahannum. Examples of such a'm�l are mutual enmity, jealousy, slander, tale‑bearing, defamation, humiliation and annoying others. The faces of those who perpetrate such evil will be blackened on the Day of Qiy�mah.
All�h Ta'�la says: "On that day (Day of Qiy�mah) when people will be resurrected, some faces will be illuminated and some will be blackened (because their evil deeds cause disunity in the Ummah). As for those whose faces will be blackened, (it will be said to them), 'You chose kufr [disbelief] after im�n [belief], so taste the punishment (of Jahannum) because of your kufr.' And as for those whose faces will be illuminated, they will dwell in the Mercy of All�h (Jannah) permanently (because they remained steadfast on the straight path)."Brothers and Friends! These ay�h were revealed when the Jews made an effort to disunite the Sah�bah Radhiall�hu anhu and cause dissention amongst them. These ay�h declare disunity and in‑fighting amongst the Muslims as kufr. Thereafter, a severe warning of punishment is cited in the �khirah.
Currently, a global effort is being made to break the unity of the Ummah. The only solution is engagement in the effort of Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam. Invite the Muslims towards the masjid. Talks of im�n and programmes of ta'l�m and dhikr should be conducted therein. Mashwaras [mutual consultation] regarding the effort of D�n should take place. Unity will be created in the Ummah when different classes, nations and languages participate in this effort, according to the method of Masjidun Nabaw�.Such statements should not be made whereby Shayt�n causes division in the Ummah. When three individuals sit together, they should be aware that All�h Ta'�la is the fourth amongst them. If four or five sit, they should definitely realise that All�h Ta'�la is the fifth or sixth amongst them. He is listening to all that is spoken and observing whether the discussion is to unite or divide the Ummah. The participants should never ever slander, plot or carry tales of others.
This Ummah was formed when Sayyidina Ras�lull�h Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam shed his blessed blood and bore poverty. Now we are dividing the Ummah on our petty issues. Remember! The punishment for dividing the Ummah will be much more severe than the punishment for discarding All�h.If the Ummah will be united, then never ever will they be disgraced. The Russians and American armies will also submit in front of them. The Ummah will be united when all the Muslims make a'm�l [practice] on the ay�h, "Adhilatin 'alal mu'min�n" meaning that every Muslim should humble and lower himself in front of his brother. This quality should be inculcated when proceeding for tabligh. When the Muslims will develop the quality of "adhilatin 'alal mu'min�n", All�h Ta'�la will make them "a'izzatin 'alal k�fir�n", in this world. They will become victorious and dominant against the unbelievers, whether they are from Europe or Asia.
Friends and Brothers! All�h Ta'�la and His Ras�l Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam have strongly prohibited us from making statements that will divide the hearts and cause disunity. Shayt�n whispers bad thoughts in the hearts when two or four individual hold secret counsels. Secret meetings have been declared as the work of Shayt�n. Hence, we have been prohibited from doing so. All�h Ta'�la says: "Secret counsels are only (inspired) by Shayt�n in order that he may cause grief to the believers, but he cannot harm them in the least, except by the permission of All�h."Similarly, we have been prohibited from humiliating mocking and jesting others. All�h Ta'�la commands, "Let not some laugh at others; it may be that the latter are better than the former." We have also been prohibited from searching for the faults we know not. In addition, we have been prohibited from mentioning someone's fault we know in front of others.
Gh�bat [backbiting] has been declared har�m [forbidden]. Gh�bat means to mention a fault found in someone. All�h Ta'�la commands: "Do not search for the faults of others and do not backbite." Humiliating, mocking, backbiting and searching for the faults of others are evils that divides and disunites the Ummah. Hence, they have been declared har�m.We have been strongly commanded to honour and respect one another because this creates unity. At the same time, we have been prohibited from seeking honour from others because this disunites the Ummah. A united Ummah will be formed when each person sincerely realises, 'I am not worthy of being honoured, and hence, I should not seek any honour from others. In fact, I should honour others because everybody else is worthy of being respected and honoured by me.'
If you sacrifice yourselves, then the Ummah will be formed and you will be honoured. Honour and disgrace is not in the plans of Russia and America, but in the control of Allah Ta'�la. He has fixed certain principles and rules to honour and disgrace nations and individuals. If an individual, nation, family or class of people follow the principles of honour, then All�h Ta'�la will honour them. Whoever will do actions that causes disgrace, Allah Ta'�la will disgrace them.The Jews are the children of the Prophets. Despite this, All�h Ta'�la, destroyed them when they broke the principles of honour. The Sah�bah were the children of idol‑worshippers. All�h Ta'�la honoured them when they followed the principles of honour. All�h Ta'�la, has no relationship with anyone. All�h Ta'�la retribution goes according to certain principles and rules.
Friends! Sacrifice yourselves for this effort so that the Ummah of Sayyidina Ras�lullah Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam could unite and qualities such as im�n [faith], yaq�n [conviction], dhikr [remembrance of All�h Ta'�la], ilm [knowledge], submission to All�h khidmah [serving others], tolerance, respect for others, etc. could be revived in them. Sacrifice so that they are saved from evils such as disobedience, secret counselling, humiliating, backbiting and searching for the faults of others. If in any locality, this effort is done correctly, then it will spread from there throughout the world.Make an effort to see the jam�ts of different nations, localities, classes of people and languages proceed in the path of All�h. Observe the principles of the work correctly. Insha‑All�h the effort to unite the Ummah will take place and, insha‑All�h Shayt�n and nafs [carnal self] will not cause any harm.
Thereafter, Hadrat Moulana emphasised the need to make an effort and create a correct environment in the rural areas. He ended the discourse with a du'�.
