Islam has given us a clear definition of unity and how it can be implemented. The uniting factor is the `creed (Aqeedah) of Islam which defines the belief of a Muslim. Unlike other bonds (nationalistic, patriotic, etc.) which are superficial, animalistic, reactive, emotional, and completely devoid of a real solution for lifes affairs, the intellectuality of the ideological bond of Islam unites man irrespective of their race, nationality, and other factors which are irrelevant when it comes to bonding on an ideological creed.
Allah in the Quran describes what is unity in Islam as the Muminoon
Surat Al-Hujurat [verse 10]
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
Transliteration
Innama almu/minoona ikhwatun faaslihoobayna akhawaykum wattaqoo Allaha laAAallakum turhamoon
Urdu
مومن تو آپس میں بھائی بھائی ہیں۔ تو اپنے دو بھائیوں میں صلح کرادیا کرو۔ اور خدا سے ڈرتے رہو تاکہ تم پر رحمت کی جائے
Muhsin Khan
The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.
Surat At-Tawbah [verse 71]
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
Transliteration
Walmu/minoona walmu/minatubaAAduhum awliyao baAAdin ya/muroona bilmaAAroofiwayanhawna AAani almunkari wayuqeemoona assalatawayu/toona azzakata wayuteeAAoona Allahawarasoolahu ola-ika sayarhamuhumu Allahuinna Allaha AAazeezun hakeem
Muhsin Khan
The believers, men and women, are Auliya' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Urdu
اور مومن مرد اور مومن عورتیں ایک دوسرے کے دوست ہیں کہ اچھے کام کرنے کو کہتے ہیں اور بری باتوں سے منع کرتے اور نماز پڑھتے اور زکوٰة دیتے اور خدا اور اس کے رسول کی اطاعت کرتے ہیں۔ یہی لوگ ہیں جن پر خدا رحم کرے گا۔ بےشک خدا غالب حکمت والا ہے
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu `alaihi wa sallam) indicated in several Ahadith on unity and brotherhood as we can see in his (saaws) Farewell Sermon (khuTbat ul-wadaa`):
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.
Other Ahadith further elaborate on the concept of unity and brotherhood:
"A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor does he leave him at the mercy of others." (Sahih Muslim Book 032, Number 6219)
The Prophet said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 2, Number 12)
As the teachings of Islam clearly show us that Brotherhood & unity in Islam are based solely on the `Aqeedah of Islam (which is the foundation of Muslim belief). The Muminoon are believers to one another and this belief has nothing to do with race or any other type of invalid reason to unite but is rather a bond based on an ideological belief in Islam.
