Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states in the Quran:
وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَىٰ كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ
And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).” [Surah Al-Hajj 22:27]
Four million people, speaking a myriad of different languages, emanating from very diverse cultures and socio-economic circumstances all dressed in the same clothing united in their belief and singular worship of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), performing the same rituals that the Prophet (صَلَّىٰ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِہِ وَسَلَّمَ) confirmed over a millennium and a half ago is a show of unity unsurpassed in any other belief system or ideology.
The collective rituals of secular nationalist states like football matches and music festivals are forums for racial and nationalistic violence [1,2]; with secular nationalism even failing to unite people who reside in the same nation. From the Amazigh of north Africa to the Pakhtoon and Baloch of Pakistan, secular nationalist states have only created disharmony and separatism [3].
The necessity for political unity in the Islamic lands has become inescapable. The system of secular nationalist governance created by the colonialist nations has left Muslims unable to deal with their issues as according to the design of the colonialist nations; individually most Muslim nations are too weak to confront their machinations. Even strong states lacking a suitable sized internal market as is the case of Turkey or access to investment capital as is the case with Pakistan are subject to the economic and political manipulation of the colonialist nations.
The unity of Islam which transcends colour, ethnicity and nationalism built a civilisation that welcomes all and even allowed non-Muslims to prosper. Islamic history shows us that the unity in the form of political Islam is how the Islamic belief and its people, as well as citizens are protected. When it comes to security and sanctity of Muslims blood, honour and wealth with a combined army of over ten million and over 20,000 armoured vehicles and several thousand combat aircraft, a sane and rational individual would conclude that in the face of a united Islamic nation second and third rate nations like India and Myanmar would fear the consequences of their actions.
The amazing spectacle of hajj shows that unity is both desirable and achievable and it is only Islam that can provide the ideological basis to achieve this elusive unity, after all the cohesive spirit of Islam ensures that despite linguistic and cultural differences, the difficulties that hujjaj face are mainly due to the incompetence of the Saudi authorities and the ferocity of the midday sun. Islam through the institution of the Khilafah and its core beliefs and values provides the ideal and singular framework to achieve a unity that endures and prospers.
Indeed, it was at the Hajj of the Prophet (صَلَّىٰ اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِہِ وَسَلَّمَ) that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) told us this Deen combining beliefs, worships and values, as well as political, economic, social and judicial systems for society was the perfect way for humanity to live together in order and harmony, when He ‘Azza wa Jal said:
الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“Today the Unbelievers have despaired of overcoming your Deen. So do not fear them, fear Me. This day, I have perfected your Deen for you, completed My favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your Deen” [Surah Al- Maida 5:3]
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8369983.stm
[3] https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-pakistans-pashtuns-are-pushing-back-25609
