The Framework For Unity

The Following is a Chapter from “Oops I forgot I am a Muslim”
Unity is a very hot topic among the Friday sermon. Every Imam has mentioned this issue more then once in his life time. But unfortunately no one has given a practical model how can this be possible. We Muslims are divided in different groups, and the amusing part is each group claims that we should unite and that they are on the path of the Quran and the Sunnah. But we are not united in fact we have divided our self in different denomination.

One thing that can be appreciated is that as soon as a crisis comes to any Muslim Lands the whole Muslims of the world stands up and help the Muslims who are in need. For example it is a known fact that there is a rift between Shia and Sunni. But when Israel attacked Lebanon they faced great retaliation from Hisbullah; during that time I Know there were many Sunni’s who were praying for them to win. The question that we should ask our self is that do we always need a crisis to get united?
No we don’t, due to this reason I will be presenting a framework for unity. If you as a reader disagree, then there is nothing wrong with it. However I would like you to improve this framework or produce a completely new framework. This way we would be doing something constructive and we should be coming closer to our objectives by uniting the Muslims all over the world.

Before I introduce my framework for unity lets discuss a few vocabulary. First if all we need to understand the difference between groups and teams.
Groups are
“Two or more interacting and interdependent individuals who came together to achieve a particular goal”
Teams are:
“ Groups whose members work intensely on a specific goal using there positive synergy, individuals and mutual accountability and complementary skills”

So if we wish to unite our self the first thing we have to do is change our vocabulary. Instead of saying we are divided in different groups we should say that we are divided in different teams. We Muslims belong to one group whose objective is to Please the Creator of the heaven and earth. The reason why we are doing this is to achieve Jannah. Technically speaking we are already united for one cause.

The question you may ask is why did we get divided in different sect and divisions. That’s simple, imagine there is a small group of Muslims working together. With in that group there would be an individual who thinks differently, or wishes to change the way things are going . If his or her ideas get rejected that particular person leaves the group and forms another sect. As soon as he /she form another group he/she would attract people who think exactly like himself/herself.

There is nothing wrong in forming different groups. The problem arises is after few years these groups are stagnated. This is simply because these groups don’t accept any new ideas. Due to this reason they do not move forward. The only success factor is how many people have joined them and they are satisfied with that.

This is why no group has ever been effective. The only time a group might have been effective is when their founders were alive and probably this was the only time that a particular group could have been effective.

Framework of Unity
Before giving you a framework I would like to give an analogy of a car.. This transportation device has different parts installed in them and in order to develop an effective car we have to have all of these parts working together. You can have the best engine but with out tires or a steering wheel this engine is not effective. You are not going anywhere. Similarly we as a Ummah have to function together in order to be effective.

The first step is recognize that we belong to one group and our goal is to achieve paradise. The second step is to consider our self as teams. There is a team for dawah, there is a team who handles political wing, there is a team for social welfare and so forth. The third step is that these team should develop strategic alliances with each other. Which basically mean to help each other out.

I would like to emphasize a lot more on strategic alliances. What each team should also do is that they should train their youth by sending them as internees to another team so that they can develop a better understanding. What I am basically suggesting that we should find out ways to develop bridges among these teams.

Finally I would like to challenge each and every sect/organization out there. You alone can never be effective, you can take a 100 years, your organization alone cannot bring an effective change in the Muslim world.

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