The Unity of Muslims — Page 6
6 Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad Essentially, ittihād means to lay the foundation of tamaddun 3 , a concept synonymous with madaniyyat or communal living guided by specific rules and regulations. When applied to human beings, the term madani-ut-taba ‘ 4 signifies that unlike [animals], humans have an inherent ability to relinquish individual rights for the sake of the collective. This is the essence of ittihād. However, attaining unity in all aspects is impossible. Though feasible in some areas, it proves neither possible nor beneficial in others. Thus, the question is: can we become a monolith, erasing all our differences? The answer helps us gauge the feasibility of claiming unity and identifies the areas where it is likely or not. Accordingly, it is first essential to examine the variations that distinguish one human from another and consider the unique strengths and faculties we would lose if we became a monolith. Would eradicating these traits strengthen us in any way? The following are the prominent differences that naturally exist among people: Foremost are the distinctions between men and women. Having distinct faculties, they each play unique roles in society. Women are responsible for 3 civilisation [Publishers] 4 civil-natured [Publishers]