The Unity of Muslims — Page 43
43 later. I have observed that Muslims focus entirely on their differences and disregard what binds them. Every sect declares the others it disagrees with as wajib-ul-qatal [punishable by death], even though it contradicts the practice of the Holy Prophet s as. Are they greater believers than Prophet Muhammad s as who invited the Jews and the Christians to stand in solidarity with Muslims on the shared belief in the Unity of God? Yet, the believers fail to extend the same invitation to their fellow adherents, and like [the Jewish moneylender in] The Merchant of Venice 24 , they refuse to move an inch without carving out each other’s flesh. The same call for solidarity will unite the world of Islam. If Muslim countries wish to achieve unity, they must rally around the principle of joining forces, regardless of their contentious issues, and stand together to fight the enemy. Let us agree that, despite our mutual differences, we will not engage in conflict with each other. I had intended to deliver a short speech due to my illness, but God Almighty has enabled me to speak at some length. As it is time for the Adhan, I will conclude my speech. 24 A Shakespearean play in which a Jewish moneylender seeks a pound of flesh as loan repayment from a merchant [Publishers]