Muslims cautioned against disunity

by Ahmed Idriss

Sheikh Usama Kabaale, a member of Nujumul Huuda, has appealed to Muslims to always strive to unite under the banner of Islam despite their differing opinions.

“After Tawhid, there is nothing that Islam emphasized like Muslim unity. There are many verses that talk about unity. We can differ within Islam as taught by the prophet as long as we are united,” Kabaale said.

Speaking during a darasa held at Masjid Qadiim in Bugembe B Village in Mbale City Industrial Division on Saturday, Sheikh Kabaale explained that Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] taught that Muslims are one body and when any part of the body feels pain, the entire body hurts.

“But what is more disappointing these days is to see Muslims rejoicing when their brothers get problems. They even reach an extent of performing two Rakahs to thank Allah for the calamity affecting another Muslim. But that isn’t the teaching of our prophet. The companions of the prophet had compassion for each other,” Kabaale said.

He explained that the differing opinions among Muslims are based on the opinions of the scholars of the earlier generations and this shouldn’t be cause for disunity.

“The unity of Muslims is more important than any differences in our opinions. If you have disagreements with any Muslim, kindly focus on Muslim unity,” Kabaale said.

He also implored Muslim clerics to be exemplary in their character, saying that many people embraced Islam during the time of the prophet because of his and his companion’s good character.

“Islam is about being compassionate to all God’s creations. Aren’t we aware of a pious woman who entered hell because of mistreating a cat and a prostitute who entered Jannah for giving a dog water?” he wondered.

For his part, Sheikh Ashraf Bazanyanengo cautioned against declaring fellow Muslims non-believers.

“Provided someone has shahadah, [the testament of faith in Islam], he remains your Muslim brother. It’s unfortunate that some of the brothers use the hadith on disunity to throw out other Muslims. Our role as Ahlal Sunnah Wal-jamaa is to love all Muslims,” Bazanyanengo said.

The darasa attracted Muslims from all the 15 mosques in Bugema Twale and its neighborhoods.