And hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not divide yourselves. And remember the favor of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He joined your hearts together and so you became, by His great favor, brothers...} Aal 'Imraan: 103
Brother Rehman1, the above Ayah was quoted by me and not Sister Nadia. She just happened to agree with me quoting the Ayah. Instead of picking up on her it would have more better for you to have addressed me. Please go and see in which context I had used the above Ayah, below I am quoting myself:
[QUOTE]
If we see in the religious section here, we see Tablegee Jamaat –Bashing, Deobandi – Bashing Salafi – Bashing Etc. Then there have been threads all in Gupshup about which nationality hates whom more? As if they had a choice in choosing their own ‘nationalities’ in the first place. How easily have they forgotten the following command of Allah (swt)?
[/QUOTE]
I had intentionally included only the following groups, Tablegee Jamaat, Deobandi and Salafi. Generally speaking, even though they differ a lot in methodology, they are normally lumped together as ‘Wahabis’ by all the various other sects. These (Tablegee Jamaat, Deobandi and Salafi ) have much more in common than their ‘differences’. Furthermore, the Ummah is erroneously divided into nationalism. To me slightly ‘deviant Muslim’ is preferable to a non-Muslim.
I recall an incident which happened at our London Mosque sometime ago. At Asr time a very well dressed middle aged English man entered our local purpose-built mosque. By his accent and mannerism he seemed to highly educated. One of the ‘brothers’ welcomed him. The Englishman said that he had come to see the Imam as he wanted to embrace Islam. That really exicted everybody who was present in the Mosque. The Englishman was told that he was a bit early and that the Imam, who was a very learned Mufti, would be coming in half an hours time.
Then conversation between the ‘brother’ and the Englishman ensued this way:
Brother: From whom have you learnt Islam.
Englishman: I have been researching Islam for last five to six years and have concluded that Islam is the best.
Brother: Masha’Allah, Masha’Allah, which school of thought have you opted for?
Englishman: School of thought?! No, no, I want to be a Muslim. I want to believe what the Qur’an and the way of the Prophet has asked one to believe. That’s how the majority of Muslims believe, isn’t it?
Brother: Yes, yes, But one must have the right Aqueedah, otherwise one is in big trouble.
Englishman: This is Ahlul Sunnah Mosque!? Right? (Slightly nervously)
Brother: Yes, yes, there are many sorts of Sunnis – Insha’Allah, tomorrow I will give you a lot of books to read. Very useful books. By the way the Mufti Saheb is a Deobandi.
Englishman: Deobandi?! Pray, what is Deobandi?
Brother: The books that I will give you tomorrow will explain everything. Excuse me; I have to go and perform my Wudhu. I hope that you have your Wudhu. I am really happy for you and I’ll get the books for you tomorrow. I promise.
He left the slightly bewildered Englishman standing in the Mosque. Then a Tableeghi brother came forward with most welcoming smile which sort of assured the Englishman.
New Brother: Brother, you have made the right decision of accepting Islam.
Englishman: Yes, I know. I am very sure.
New Brother: Soon you will have 1.4 Billion brothers and sisters. By the way have read of the Tablegee Jamaat?
Englishman: No. Who are they?
Some other Brother injected: “Watch out for Bralevis, they are always going to Pirs and graves and they love eating Halwa”
After a few words with the ‘New Brothers’ the Englishman said the following: “I have been reading the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet for quite sometime. Hearing you people it’s obvious that it was not enough, I think I’ll go now and will come another day.”
He left with his head hanging down with disappointment showing on his face.
The Englishman quite often passes the Mosque in the evenings on to his home from the Underground station, and when invited to come in, says rather mockingly: “I love Islam but you Muslims put me off.”
The 'brothers' in the Mosque are very ‘pious’ and are regular attendees of the Mosque. But their zeal for petty differences deprived a man to enter Islam and for his salvation in the Hereafter.
Brother Rehman1 – Maybe Aqueedah-wise I agree with you but will not agree with you attitude-wise.
Following are few Ayahs where Allah (swt) has advised us to conduct ourselves.
*Tell my servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy. [17:53]
*You shall invite to the path of your lord with wisdom and kind enlightenment and debate with them in the best possible manner. Your lord knows best who has strayed from his path, and he knows best who, are the guided ones. [16:125]
Do not complement yourself; he (Allah) knows best of those who are pious."[53:32]
I am very positive that you are more learned and a better Muslim than me, but the attitude with which one addresses others is very important.
[QUOTE]
Its interesting to see that you don't even know the meaning of this Ayat.
[/QUOTE]
Wouldn’t it have been better if you had corrected me and explained the Ayah in the correct manner? So that we all could have benefited.
Was-salaam