You are everything, but tell me, are you even Muslim?

You are everything, but tell me, are you also a Muslim?
Today, the Muslim Ummah is going through a very delicate and trying time. Circumstances have been created from all sides in which every possible effort is being made to weaken Muslims. False forces are arrayed against the Islamic world with full force, and it is no secret that the path to survival and honor in this era lies only in unity and agreement. Allah Almighty has repeatedly emphasized in His last book, the Holy Quran, to adopt unity and avoid discord and division. In Surah Al-Imran, a clear command has been given that all of you hold fast to the rope of Allah together and do not create division among yourselves. This is not just advice but a fundamental principle of success and glory. Along with this, Allah Almighty has declared mutual love, brotherhood, and the joining of hearts as His great blessing, and reminded that you were once enemies of each other, but He joined your hearts and made you brothers.
Furthermore, Allah Almighty has strictly forbidden that you should not be like those who, even after receiving clear guidance, became divided into sects and fell into disputes. Surah Al-An'am declares disavowal from those who have divided their religion into pieces and formed group after group. Similarly, in Surah Al-Rum, grouping and sectarianism have been declared as the practice of polytheists, and Muslims have been advised to avoid it. Therefore, adopting unity in the current situation is not just a temporary need but a religious duty and the identity of a living nation. If we do not try to be one by putting aside our mutual differences, our weakness will continue to increase. But if we adopt unity with sincerity, understand each other's pain and unite for common goals, then this unity will become our strength and open the door to success. And this is the lesson that the Quran gives us that salvation, honor, and success are in unity, while division only leads to decline and loss.
Today, if we look at the conditions of the Islamic world with seriousness, a bitter truth comes before us. Along with the continuous conspiracies of the enemy, our own weaknesses, inabilities, and lack of foresight have also been a major cause of this decline. As a result, the Muslim Ummah has reached a point where its condition seems to be a practical picture of the verse in which being divided into groups has been declared a polytheistic practice. The point to ponder is, aren't Muslims divided into different parts and small states today? Is this division not according to the map that global powers have arranged for their own interests? And not only geographical division, but differences have also taken deep roots in our mosques, our societies, and our ranks. The same situation is visible, which the thinker of Islam, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, described with great pain that there is sectarianism somewhere and the web of caste somewhere.
The sad thing is that the matter has reached a point where our identity has also become scattered. We recognize ourselves by different names, nationalities, and communities, but the real identity, i.e., being "Muslim," has gone into the background. Describing the same situation, Allama Muhammad Iqbal raised the question:
"You are Syed, Mirza, and Afghan too!
You are everything, but tell me, are you also a Muslim?"
This poem is actually a mirror for us that shows us our reality. If we still do not come to our senses and return to unity, this division will continue to weaken us further. But if we recognize our original identity and become one Ummah by abandoning differences, then this scattered power can again turn into a strong force.
Today's scenario is very thought-provoking. The powers leading the false system in the world, especially the United States and Israel, established with its support, are expressing their power in such a way as if they have no fear of anyone. But unfortunately, at such a critical time, instead of uniting and confronting them, the Muslim Ummah is entangled in its own differences.
The reality is that the enemy's cunning and conspiracies have affected us so much that we have stood against each other. Brother has become the opponent of brother, and the rulers of the Islamic world also seem to be engaged in mutual conflict and confrontation. This situation is not only a sign of weakness but also a clear proof of our collective failure. The most regrettable aspect is that we have put the guidance of Allah Almighty and the guidance of the Quran and Hadith in the background in these circumstances. The Holy Quran repeatedly warns us not to make Jews and Christians our close friends and confidants, because their interests are different from yours. But despite this clear warning, we are engaged in increasing closeness with these same powers, trusting them, and strengthening relations with them.
If the Muslim Ummah remains in this negligence, the situation may worsen further. The need of the hour is that we take heed, understand the enemy's tricks, and create unity in our ranks. Until we eliminate mutual differences and become a strong force, we cannot protect ourselves, nor can we achieve our place in the world with honor and dignity.
And the helplessness with which the Muslim Ummah is observing the situation today is very worrying. If disunity and mutual differences persist in the Ummah in the same way, then the signs of the destruction and decline that may become our destiny in the future are already visible. This is the moment that shakes us to come to our senses and return to our original path.
In such a critical time, the Holy Quran provides us with clear and unequivocal guidance. The verse of Surah Al-Hujurat reminds us that believers are brothers to each other, so correcting relations between them and fearing Allah is the means of attaining mercy. Similarly, when it comes to the field of competition, the Quran commands us to be steadfast, to remember Allah abundantly, to obey Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), and to have mutual unity, and strictly warns that mutual disputes will weaken you and destroy your strength.
The reality is that the Quran is guiding us at every step, awakening us, calling our conscience, but unfortunately, we are not ready to change our ways. Although our foundations are one: our Allah is one, our Messenger (peace be upon him) is one, our religion is one, our book is one, and our goals are also one. Despite such strong uniformity, if we cannot unite, then this is our biggest weakness. Feeling the same pain, the thinker of Islam, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, had drawn our attention years ago that if Muslims really become one, then this is not a trivial matter but can become a great force. And he exclaimed:
"Let the Muslims be one to guard the Haram,
From the shores of the Nile to the land of Kashgar."
Even today, the path to our survival, safety, and honor is hidden in this unity. If we understand this message and unite our ranks, then no power can harm us, but if we remain in this division, then the loss will be ours.

Written by: Muhammad Fida Al-Mustafa Qadri
PG Research Scholar: Darul Huda Islamic University Kerala