Islamic unity, practical foundation for collective empowerment

The holy book of Islam, lifestyle of prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the Islamic references remain the guidelines all of which rich source of teachings for more than two billion followers across the globe.

Yet the Islamic lands have been the epicenter of several conflicts over the past decades.

To shed light on the reasons behind the issue and possible guidelines out of the current crisis in the Islamic countries, Taqrib News Agency (TNA) reached for Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, the president of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations (MAPIM) where the scholar noted that the modern ummah (Muslim nation) must follow unity, dialogue and prophetic

guidance.

Azmi Abdul Hamid highlighted that the solution to tackle disunity lies in the Muslims’ returning to the Qur’an and Sunnah as living guidance.

Regarding the internal and external factors that have sparked and fueled division among Muslims, he said that the division among Muslims today as the product of both internal decay and external interference.

He said,” Internally, the erosion of adab — the moral and spiritual discipline that shapes character and leadership — has led to ego-driven politics, sectarian arrogance, and rivalry that betray the essence of Islamic brotherhood.”

Critical of those Muslims who have become attached to symbols and slogans rather than the substance of unity, he said that the misconduct has led them to lose sight of the higher purpose that once bound the Ummah together.

The senior scholar

also deplored the colonialism and modern geopolitics that have deliberately engineered fragmentation through artificial borders, identity politics, and ideological manipulation saying,” Global powers continue to exploit divisions among Muslims to weaken collective strength and sovereignty.”

He highlighted the “powerful path to healing” offered by the Prophetic Sunnah and said,” The Prophet (PBUH) united tribes torn by centuries of conflict through ukhuwwah (brotherhood), shura (consultation), and adl (justice).”

His model of leadership was rooted in humility, compassion, and service. By reviving the Prophetic ethics of sincerity, fairness, and collective consultation, Muslims can overcome sectarian and political divisions and re-anchor themselves to a shared mission of justice and mercy.

When asked on the Islamic teachings that could further promote peaceful interaction with followers of other religions as part of efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, he referred to the prophet of Islam as a beacon of mercy and wisdom in dealing with people of other faiths with his life in Madinah standing a timeless example of coexistence, justice, and mutual respect.

“The Constitution of Madinah laid down a framework of shared citizenship, recognizing the rights of all communities

under the principle of justice and security for all” said Azmi Abdul Hamid and added,” The Prophet (PBUH) never imposed belief by force, in full alignment with the Qur’anic principle, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Surah Al-e-Imran: verse 256).

The Malaysian thinker also underlined the fairness and civility the prophet of Islam maintained when dealing with Christians, Jews, and even opponents of Islam and said,” He taught that kindness to others, regardless of faith, is part of faith itself: “The best among you are those who are best to others.”

According to the MAPIM president, Islam, through its high teachings, promotes dialogue grounded in dignity, truth, and compassion as its goal is not domination but understanding — to live as moral witnesses who uphold justice and peace for all.

On the impact that Islamic unity on resolving today’s social and political crises and challenges, he called Islamic unity not an emotional slogan rather a practical foundation for collective empowerment warning,”

The disunity of the Ummah today has turned strength into weakness, and diversity into division.”

He emphasized,” When Muslims unite around principles of justice, compassion, and shared responsibility, they can mobilize vast resources to confront oppression, poverty, and injustice” and added,” Unity magnifies the collective voice of the Ummah in defending the oppressed — from Gaza to Kashmir, from Myanmar to Africa. It transforms moral outrage into coordinated global action.”

Alluding to the verse from holy book of Islam, “And do not dispute, lest you lose courage and your strength depart” (8:46), he said,” Disunity erodes power, while unity multiplies it. The revival of the Ummah must begin with moral and intellectual unity — where we differ in opinion but stand together in principle” and asserted,” Only through this shared consciousness can the Ummah regain its dignity and fulfill its global responsibility as “the best community raised for mankind.”

Azmi Abdul Hamid stated,” The command in Surah Al-Imran (3:1

3) — “And hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah, and be not divided” — is not a poetic ideal; it is a governing principle for Muslim life. The “rope of Allah” represents the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the moral covenant that binds believers as one body.”

He said,” Holding fast to the rope of Allah means ensuring that our moral compass never breaks, that unity of faith translates into unity of purpose, and that justice remains the pillar of every policy.”

The prominent Malaysian thinker concluded,” The Prophet (PBUH) did not build a divided nation, but a community that saw faith as the bridge of humanity. The Ummah’s renewal must begin with this Prophetic vision — where unity is not just about politics, but about conscience, compassion, and commitment to the truth.”

Only when Muslims return to the Qur’an and Sunnah as living guidance — not distant history — can we heal our divisions and restore the moral leadership the world desperately needs today.