Islam and Unity
By Professor Maqsood Jafri

Unity is strength. When the sand grains unite they become a vast desert. When the sea drops unite they become a boundless ocean. The conglomeration of stars in the firmament of sky soothes our eyes. The seven colours emerge in the shape of a bewitching rainbow. The unity of people makes an invincible strong nation. This is the reason Islam lays great stress on the importance of unity. The Islamic concept of Towhid is the other name for the unity of humankind. The cornerstone in Islam is the unity of God. Allah's unity teaches us the message that we should not divide humans into sections and sects. Almighty Allah in the Qur'an says that the division of people in the races and clans is only for their introduction. The best one out of them is the man of piety. Dr. Mohammad Ali Al-khuli is his book The Light of Islam writes. "Islam is the greatest unifying force in the world. It is a religion for all humans regardless of colour, race and language. It is a religion that tolerates other religions and orders its followers to respect and protect all humans."

According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet all persons belong to Adam and Adam was from soil. Racial discrimination has been strictly prohibited in Islam. In the last sermon from the Mount of Arafat the Holy Prophet clearly announced that no Arab has any superiority over a non-Arab; or the white over the black. This is the reason that in Muslim countries we do not find racial discriminations. Islam gives clear injunctions for the respect, safety, security and prosperity of the non-Muslims as well. Unity teaches peace and equality. The absence of unity brings and breeds disruption, devastation and disputes. Islam ordains protection of non-Muslims simply to show the respect for the Canons of divinity and humanity. God is not only of the Muslims. God is the God of all human beings. The unity of all humans is the ultimate aim of the teachings of Islam. The doctrinal and ideological differences should not lead to war or bloodshed. Man is a thinking creature. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher introduced Rationalism in Philosophy. The Qur'an time and again asserts the

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