O’ servants of Allah! Consider it essential to act on the following command of Allah Ta’ala.
“Hold fast to the rope of Allah Ta’ala altogether and do not sow dissension.” (Surah Aal ‛Imran – 3:103)
Hadhrat Maulana Shabbir Ahmad ‛Usmani rahimahullah has written an enlightening commentary to this verse:
“You should altogether hold firmly to the Qur’an which is the firm rope of Allah. This rope can never break, but it can slip out of your hands. If you all get together and continue holding to it with all your might, shaytan will not be able to succeed in his wicked activities. Like the individual life, the collective strength of the Muslim community will become unshakeable. It is only by holding on to the Qur’an that diverse strengths can be harnessed and a lifeless community shall acquire fresh life.
However, holding onto the Qur’an does not mean that it becomes a prey of one’s personal opinions and desires. Only such a meaning of the Qur’an can be reliable if it does not contradict the authentic Ahadeeth and the explicit sayings of the pious predecessors.” (Tafseer Usmani)
We learn from this that just as it is necessary for Muslims to hold firmly to Allah’s rope, it is essential for them to stay away from dissension.
Now look at how much dissension and discord is detested: holding on to Allah’s rope is not sufficient, rather, it is essential to stay away from dissension so that the unity of the Ummah is maintained, and mutual agreement and concord remains. We will have to bear in mind the teachings of our elders in this regard.
Hadhrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki rahimahullah said: “People talk about mutual agreement, but they do not adopt the way of acquiring it. It can be achieved by developing humility, submission, and servitude within us. When we acquire these qualities, we will see the good qualities and merits of others. We will not see any good in ourselves. Instead, we will look at our own defects and faults. When this happens, then instead of discord, mutual agreement and unity will become easy. Obviously, the ability to look at one’s own faults is solely a gift bestowed by Allah Ta’ala.”
Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “When Allah wills good for a person, he bestows him with understanding of Deen, makes him abstinent in this world, and enables him to examine his own faults.”
Adapted from the book: Confession of sins by Hadhrat Maulana Qamruz Zamaan (Hafizahullah)
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