Declaration of Islamic Brotherhood and the Solidarity of Ummah

The Tenth Fiqh Seminar was held under the aegis of the Islamic Fiqh Academy (India) at the Hajj House (Mumbai) from the 24- 27 Oct. 1999 A.D, in which the scholars, academicians and Islamic jurists from all over the country participated with great enthusiasm, deliberated on the issue very sympathetically and voiced the following declaration of Islamic brotherhood wholeheartedly and solicitously:

"Today, the Muslims of India are entrapped by newer issues every now and then. The most pertinent amongst them is the challenge to uphold their religious faith and their cultural identity in the most hostile atmosphere brewing up in India and to transfer this spirit into our next generations as well. To be precise, this mammoth task has to be carried out by all of us together so that Islam may prosper again on this land, so that it's fragrance may spread all around captivating one and all. Moreover, our endeavors should certainly aim at benefiting our fellow countrymen with our humble existence.

"Gauging the gravity of the task, our first and foremost essay should be to raise ourselves above the man-made barriers of caste, creed, race and colour, keeping aloof the differences on the basis of schools of thought and disciplines and hold on to the Almighty's rope firmly. Race, colour, language and region - these devilish things, which have disintegrated us and built walls between man and man, ought to be castled off. We should try and explain it to the people that in real sense, unity and integrity alone are synonymous with life whereas hate and disintegrity are nothing but signs of death. However, ironically enough, it has been noticed that over the years, the Indian Muslims are quitting the path of life (unity and integrity) and fast embracing death (hate and disintegrity), which has far more dangerous implications on our religious, Milli and Islamic life than it sounds. In this regard, the Fiqhi Majlis of one of the most reputed and dignified organisations of the world, the World Muslim League in it's convention held on 24-27 Safar 1408 Hijra, sincerely appealed to the Muslims all over the globe to unite and integrate themselves, further urging them to remain balanced and temperate in the wake of differences pertaining to Fiqh and the schools of thought. They were also solicited not to hurl torrents on others and break each other's hearts.

"At this juncture let us recapitulate once again that we are the slaves of Allah. We believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last Prophet and Messenger of Allah. We further regard the Qur'an as the final revealed word of the Almighty. When we offer our prayers, we tend to face in the direction of the Kaaba, which we assume as our Qiblah. Our religion is Islam, which Allah has favoured until the Doomsday (Qiyamat). Moreover, we have embraced Islam for our salvation.

"Henceforth we pledge that:

66.1 We the Muslims would remain united irrespective of the differences in caste, creed, race, sect or schools of thought. In addition to this, we shall practice Islamic unity and brotherhood in our daily practical lives too.

66.2 We shall always restrict our differences on schools of thought to the scholarly levels only and shall never allow them to penetrate and affect the Unity of Ummah.

66.3 We shall always give the utmost respect to the Imams (towering jurists of the classical age) and renowned figures of each other, abstaining from mouthing torrents which would lower down their prestige and honour.

66.4 Above all, we should respect each other as well. Neither shall we indulge in sacrilege nor vexing anybody. We shall also take care of each other's life, property, honor and status.

66.5 We should also cooperate with each other in virtuous and righteous deeds. We must restrain ourselves from casting aspirations, journalistic bashings and launching vilification campaigns against each other. Moreover, our lives should portray the fact that we are each other's friends, not foes.

66.6 We should sort out our differences and disputes with an open mind through amicable talks. Such matters, if any, should be presented before the Shariah courts whosesoever.

66.7 We must show patience and endurance coupled with tolerance and forbearance in our collective life as well.

66.8 Raising ourselves above the impediments of caste, creed and race, we should always endeavor to strengthen our social fabric and harmonious co-existence. Further, we must express the ultimate truth that the standards of greatness before Allah are based upon nothing but abstinence and piety.

66.9 We pledge that we shall never undermine the credentials or foundations of our religion and faith on the parameters of our minor differences. And, we shall cling to each other like bricks in a building, standing cemented with each other in our collective and Milli life.

66.10 Apparently, certain communal elements and forces of political exploitation are trying desperately to segregate and divide Muslims on one pretext or the other, according to the pre-conceived systematic plans. We Muslims should foil and defuse all such plans and conspiracies by way of the wisdom and sagacity characterised by a true Muslim."