The Division of the Islamic Ummah and its Toxic Effects

News:

A sharp escalation in hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past week has resulted in the death of at least one member of the Pakistani security forces and dozens of civilians in Afghanistan. This latest round of cross-border fighting stems from what Pakistan insisted was its response to regular attacks by the armed group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad said has found sanctuary across the border in Afghanistan. The most recent TTP attack, on December 21, led to the deaths of at least 16 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistani military sources confirmed to Al Jazeera that on Tuesday, Pakistan launched air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktia province, which borders Pakistan’s tribal district of South Waziristan. Pakistani jets reportedly targeted hideouts where TTP fighters had sought refuge. However, Afghanistan’s Taliban government, in power since August 2021, accused Pakistan of killing at least 46 civilians, including women and children, in the air strikes. In response, the Afghan government promised “retaliation”. On Saturday, Afghan Taliban forces claimed to have targeted “several points” near the Durand Line, the contested border between the two nations. (Al-Jazeera)

Comment:

The clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan are the bitter fruit of the seeds sown by Western colonialism. Western colonialism supervised the destruction of the Islamic Khilafah (Caliphate) State in 1924, over a hundred years ago. After dividing the lands of Muslims, each land was given a separate nationalist identity.

The clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking place at a time when the kuffar are attacking Muslims from all sides, shedding Muslim blood mercilessly everywhere. Colonialists drew artificial orders on the basis of the concept of nationalism. Western powers spread nationalism amongst Muslims to divide the Islamic Ummah. Nationalism continues to push the Ummah towards civil war, killing and mutual hostility. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, «لَا تَرْجِعُوا بَعْدِي كُفَّارًا يَضْرِبُ بَعْضُكُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ» “Do not disbelieve after me, striking each other’s necks.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

The concept of nationalism is based on racial superiority. It results in the competition for power and exploitation. It fuels societal discrimination and racial prejudice. Islam strictly prohibits all form of partisanship based on tribe and race. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, «لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ دَعَا إِلَىٰ عَصَبِيَّةٍ» “He is not one of us who calls for partisanship.” (Sunan Abu Dawud).

As a result of the nationalist division by the Western powers, an Afghan, a Pakistani, and a Bengali are considered separate from each other. However, Islam unifies all Muslims within one Ummah. Islam has declared all Muslims to be a single Ummah. In Islam, there is no discrimination on the basis of color, race, or geography. Allah (swt) said, ﴿إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ﴾ “Indeed, the believers are brothers.” [TMQ Surah Al-Hujurat: 10].

The Messenger of Allah (saw) described the Islamic Ummah as one body,«مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَىٰ مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَىٰ لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّىٰ» “Muslims are like one body in their love and compassion for one another. If any part of the body is hurt, the whole body feels its pain.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim) Indeed, when any part of the body is hurt, the whole body is affected. When the human body is divided, its separate parts cannot function together. The identity and source of strength of the Islamic Ummah is in its unification under a single state.

Had Islam been confined within nationalist or tribal borders, it would not have spread beyond Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarh. The risaalah (message) of Islam is for the whole world and its call is not limited to borders. Allah (swt) said,

[هُوَ ٱلَّذِى أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِ]

“It is He (swt) who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, that He may make Islam prevail over all other ways of life.” [TMQ Surah At-Tawbah: 33].

The Muslims are weak because of the absence of the Islamic Caliphate State to ensure their unification. Without the Khilafah, any kafir state can shed the blood of Muslims and oppress them. It is because of the absence of the Islamic State that America today, like a raging bull, roams freely in Muslim lands, seizing their resources and enforcing its laws. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, «إِنَّمَا ٱلْإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِن وَرَائِهِ و يُتقى بِهِ» “The Imam (Caliph) is a shield behind which Muslims fight and seek protection.” (Sahih Muslim)

We must consider Islam as the basis for revival. We must resolve mutual differences in accordance with Islam. We must establish an Islamic state that will unify Muslims from Morocco to Indonesia under the rayah (banner) of Muhammad (saw) and will protect the lives, property, and honor of all Muslims.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Musa Muazzam – Wilayah Pakistan