The Islamic Ummah Needs to Revive the Unity Principles Established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Foundations of Unity in the Prophetic Legacy
In an interview with Taghrib News(TNA(, Sheikh al-Bahrani outlined the key pillars of unity in the Prophetic tradition: Faith-Based Brotherhood: The Prophet (PBUH) established faith as the basis of brotherhood, as stated in the Qur’an: “Indeed, the believers are brothers” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:10). Elimination of Tribal and Class Divides: The Prophet dismantled tribal and class-based hierarchies, elevating figures like Bilal al-Habashi, Suhayb al-Rumi, and Salman al-Farsi as pillars of the early Islamic society. Brotherhood Between Migrants and Helpers: Upon migrating to Medina, the Prophet established bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirun and Ansar, even allowing them to inherit from one another—an unprecedented model of social and political solidarity. The Constitution of Medina: The Prophet created a multi-faith, cohesive society by establishing equal rights and responsibilities between Muslims and Jews, with justice as the foundation—even in dealing with enemies, as emphasized in the Qur’an: “Let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:8). Unity Through Islamic Rituals: The Prophet united the Ummah around Islamic rituals—prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and the Qibla—strengthening the collective identity of Muslims. Centralized Leadership: The Prophet served as the ultimate authority in matters of peace and conflict, preventing division. This model continued with the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt, who were instructed by the Prophet to preserve unity despite hardships. Peaceful Coexistence with Non-Muslims: The Prophet treated non-Muslims in Medina with wisdom and justice, without compromising Islamic principles, laying the foundation for a secure and inclusive society.
Reviving Unity in the Modern Era
Sheikh al-Bahrani stressed that these principles are not merely historical—they are a renewed call for Muslims to build unity on the foundations of faith, justice, brotherhood, and inclusive leadership, especially in today’s fragmented world.
He further elaborated on the Prophetic model: Faith as the Core Identity: “No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab to an Arab, except by piety.” Mutual Support: The solidarity between Muhajirun and Ansar is a timeless model of cooperation. Justice and Equality: The Constitution of Medina ensured equal rights and responsibilities for all. Comprehensive Leadership: The Prophet united the community through trusted leadership, a path continued by his purified progeny. Unity in Worship: Shared rituals reinforced a unified Islamic identity. Respectful Coexistence: Upholding rights without compromising principles.
Practical Steps for Unity
Sheikh al-Bahrani proposed actionable strategies for managing differences and fostering peaceful coexistence: Justice-Based Governance: Muslims must act with fairness, avoiding bias and self-interest. Respect for Legitimate Diversity: Avoiding fanaticism and embracing diversity, as the Prophet condemned tribalism. Dialogue with Wisdom: Engaging in reasoned, respectful discourse, as the Prophet did with Jews, Christians, and even hypocrites. Prioritizing Public Interest: As seen in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet sacrificed certain demands to preserve unity and strategic strength. Avoiding Discord and Controlling Anger: The Prophet modeled patience and restraint in times of conflict. Centralized Leadership: The Prophet served as a unifying authority, resolving disputes and preventing division.
A Blueprint for a Cohesive Ummah
“These Prophetic principles are not just conflict-resolution tools,” he said, “but a blueprint for building a cohesive and resilient Ummah despite ethnic and ideological diversity.”
He emphasized that the Prophet called for unity based on faith, brotherhood, and justice, and that these teachings can be implemented today through: Clinging to the Qur’an, Prophethood, and the Ahl al-Bayt: “As long as you hold fast to these two, you will never go astray.” Rejecting Sectarianism and Prejudice, Establishing Faith-Based Brotherhood, Justice in All Interactions, Dialogue Based on Wisdom and Kind Counsel, Ensuring the Prophet’s Vision
To uphold these principles, Sheikh al-Bahrani recommended: Returning to Shared Authority (Qur’an, Prophet, and Ahl al-Bayt) as the reference for resolving intellectual and political disputes. Promoting a Culture of Dialogue among Islamic schools of thought instead of takfir and accusations of innovation. Focusing on Core Issues such as liberation, resistance against oppression, and support for the oppressed, rather than peripheral disputes. Educating Future Generations in Islamic brotherhood through mosques and inclusive institutions. Supporting Unity Initiatives and amplifying the voice of the Ummah in international forums.
He concluded: “Islamic unity is not a slogan for special occasions—it is a practical Prophetic program. Faith, justice, brotherhood, and holding fast to the divine rope must be the foundation of Muslim unity. Only then can we strengthen peaceful coexistence and empower the Ummah to face its challenges.”