– Sumayya Qatun Muhammed
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
We are in an age where unity is often praised in speeches but very rarely practised. We often talk about unity in diversity, but sects, class differences, cast differences, and unfair leadership continue to divide us today. Social media turned into a place of debate regarding many issues. Many young people strive to know their identity, clarity and purpose of their lives.
We often choose comfort over sacrifice, selfishness over selflessness, Identity over brotherhood, arguments over understanding. Hence, unity feels good in theory but difficult when we practise because unity demands sacrifice, service and justice.
So right now we are having a very big question: Has any diverse society truly lived with real unity? The answer is simply Madinah. Over fourteen centuries ago, people of different backgrounds, different beliefs lived together with dignity and trust. So why did people succeed then, but why do they struggle today? So, let’s dig deeper into the history of Madinah, what they had and what we don’t, so that we ended up in urgent need of unity.
A Brotherhood That Brings Dignity Alive
Upon arriving in Madinah, the Muhajirun (those who migrated there) had nothing but faith in Allah Almighty. They had left their homes, families, and loved ones behind, with no idea what lay ahead. However, the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ prevented them from feeling like a burden to the people of Madinah (Ansar).
He created a fraternity between them, which restored the Muhajirun’s sense of hope and belonging, which they had lost following their migration. This spirit is confirmed by Allah in the Qur’an. “Surely the believers are none but brothers.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10) This brotherhood was not symbolic; it was lived in action.
When Saad ibn Rabi gave Abdur Rahman bin Auf half of his property, he was not losing anything; rather, he was investing to create a community built on trust and empathy. Not only this example, but also through these types of living examples, Madinah turned into a place where the moral commitment of every individual, along with having accountability and faith, created unity, and unity created strength.
Hijrah: Transformation of Hearts
We can find a lesson for our sectarian time when we think about the hijrah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This hijrah is not merely a physical journey from Makkah to Madinah, but it was a journey of moral courage and patience.
When Suraqa ibn Malik intended to harm the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ responded with calmness, mercy, and unwavering faith. With this, not only was he returned, but he transformed himself into another version of Suraqa, serving as an example that every one of the hardest hearts can be transformed when it meets with patience and morality.
This transformation reminds us that “Good and evil are not equal. Repel (evil) with that which is good, and you will see that he between whom and you there was enmity shall become as if he were a bosom friend (of yours).” (Surah Fussilat 41:34)
Unity Builds on Justice and Service
When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Madinah, he did not go there to establish authority, rule over others, or demonstrate his power. Instead, he initiated justice and shared efforts by establishing a mosque with his hands, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Ansar and the Muhajirun and praying for both the Ansar and the Muhajirun.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not turn this pledge into a mere collection of polite words or emotional slogans but rather declared it to be a noble and material covenant and agreement that was connected with blood and wealth. This was not an empty greeting or congratulatory message that could be passed around on the tongue without any result, but rather, this bait also contained feelings of sacrifice and devotion.
The core of this unity is justice. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made it clear that no one was above the law, not even those closest to him. He said, “By Allah, if Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, were to steal, I would cut off her hand.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3475; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1688) Through this statement, the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ taught that justice is essential for the survival of unity, but favouritism declines the essence of justice, followed by unity.
Brotherhood Beyond the Muslim Community
This brotherhood between Ansar and Muhajirun was intended for more than just the Muslim community; it was a fundamental moral basis upon which we could construct a society that is compassionate, moral, and just. As a result of this brotherhood, Muslims and non-Muslims were acknowledged as responsible partners in social life via respect, accountability, and justice.
It is important to remember that this unity does not require uniformity; everyone is allowed to maintain their religious freedom while living with their cultural uniqueness. This model proves that sameness is not necessary for unity.
Allah reminds us in the Qur’an: “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256), which shows that freedom of belief is a fundamental Islamic value. It is also true that this fraternity has produced exceptional wisdom, wise politics, and a superb solution to the numerous issues confronting our society.
Reflection
We need to ask ourselves why we love unity in speeches but don’t practise it. Why are caste, sect, and status still defining us today? The answer is simple. Good intentions, good emotions, and pleasant ways of thinking are not enough. They always need an ample amount of actions performed with the right consciousness to achieve assured results.
As the people of Madinah showed through their actions, they sacrificed selfishness and comfort, showed brotherhood over blood, and chose understanding over arguments. All these things happened because they followed the teachings of the Qur’an, which is the word of Allah, practically shown by the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ.
If we think carefully, the same Qur’an is in our hands too, but the thing missing in us is moral courage. These days, unity is frequently reduced to social media posts and slogans. We want peace without accountability and harmony without sacrifice. Hence, unity is not something we wait for or ask for; it is something we can become.
O Allah, bring our hearts together. Take away our divisiveness, pride, and hatred. Give us the bravery to act with kindness, justice, and selflessness. Encourage us to demonstrate unity by our deeds rather than simply our words. Guide our youth and fortify our Ummah. Make us a source of tranquillity wherever we go.
