The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that the believers are like a single body. If the eye is in pain, the whole body feels it; if the head aches, the entire body is restless.

In another narration, he described the mutual love, compassion, and empathy among believers as resembling a single body—when one part suffers, the rest of the body shares the discomfort. Numerous hadiths repeat this concept, each emphasizing the importance of unity through different imagery.

In Sahih Bukhari, it is narrated that the believers are like one body: if one limb suffers, the entire body responds with fever and sleeplessness.

This repeated emphasis tells us that Islamic unity is not just desirable but essential. Looking at the Muslim world today, we see a picture of weakness, disunity, and lagging scientific and technological progress.

But the real root of our decline is not a lack of education—it is the loss of unity. Formal education may be gained through institutions, but true knowledge flows from the City of Knowledge—the Prophet ﷺ—through the Gateway of Knowledge, Imam Ali (A.S).

To access this knowledge, we need a connection, and that connection is formed through love. Love creates spiritual ties and demands loyalty. True love is unconditional, and its proof lies in obedience.

The Qur’an describes believers as those who say, “We hear and we obey.” Refusal to obey reflects a failure to truly recognize the One who gives the command. That is why love and obedience go hand in hand.

Despite being told again and again that the Ummah is one body, we remain fragmented by racial, ethnic, and political divides. We lament the loss of Dhaka, the fall of Baghdad, and the disappearance of Islamic Spain, but fail to examine the underlying cause.

The fall of any city begins when tyranny enters and freedom disappears. Military defeat is determined by the course of battle, but moral and political defeat begins internally, when justice and freedom are compromised.

Recently, the enemy attempted a surprise attack. In response, by the grace of God, our armed forces acted decisively, and the world took notice. Our jets soared, our enemies faltered, and Allah granted us honor.

This is a moment for gratitude—but also for reflection. We are acutely aware of our internal challenges. Political instability is high. Freedoms are curtailed. Voices are suppressed. Civil-military relations were tense. In the midst of this, our youth displayed remarkable maturity and rose above their political differences to stand united.

The enemy had assumed we were divided—a fractured nation easy to defeat. But Allah turned their plot against them. The very move intended to destroy us became a source of our unity. When life is at stake, people instinctively come together.

But such moments are rare. We must not waste this one. This victory is temporary. The enemy’s defeat is only a pause. A wounded predator is always more dangerous. Modi will strike again—and we must be ready.

We take pride in our air force and our brave pilots. A falcon doesn’t seek shelter in royal palaces, nor does it scavenge. It lives on mountain heights, self-reliant and fearless.

Rather than celebrating prematurely, we should treat this episode as a moment of divine cover. Allah has hidden our flaws from the world. The victory is not due to our strength—it is due to His mercy. Gratitude demands humility, and humility demands self-correction.

Everyone, in their own domain, must now commit to sincere service. The nation doesn’t belong to a single party, institution, or leader. No one segment of society can protect it alone. Blessing comes from unity, and unity is the foundation of strength. Unity is the groundwork for jihad.

We must now elevate this moment of national unity to a broader unity of the Ummah. Why do we hesitate when it comes to standing up for the oppressed people of Gaza? Why do we shift the burden of responsibility elsewhere? Why does national interest silence the voice of conscience? Why are our hearts unmoved by the suffering of fellow believers?

Once hearts are united, borders can soften—not to be erased, but to be opened to cooperation. The manpower of one Muslim country, the wealth of another, and the military strength of a third—if combined—can become a unified force, a “solid, cemented structure.”

That is the Qur’anic vision: a strong wall, unified and immovable. Even the weak, if united, can become powerful. With the season of Hajj approaching, one wonders: what if, instead of sending only pilgrims, Muslim nations sent an equal number of soldiers to Gaza?

Perhaps then the oppressed could be rescued, and we would fulfill a forgotten obligation.

This recent operation, which we now celebrate, should be seen as a dress rehearsal for greater unity. Let’s seize the moment to bring all Muslim nations onto one platform. If all 57 Muslim countries speak in one voice, the world will have no choice but to listen. The rest of the world coordinates for shared interests; if we remain divided, we will be defeated one by one.

If only our people would recognize this—and our leaders too. If leaders echo the sentiments of the people, their voice will have true impact. To establish justice globally, we must first embody justice ourselves—both individually and collectively.

Now is the time for sincerity in every domain. Every individual and every institution must approach their role with honesty and a sense of duty. Teachers must safeguard our ideological values. The military must protect our borders and remain focused on defense, not entangled in civil administration.

The legislative bodies must prioritize the needs of the people rather than perks for themselves. The judiciary must ensure equal justice for all, not just the powerful. The administrative machinery must act by the law, not personal whims.

Martyrdom for the nation is honorable. But even more essential is the sacrifice of personal interest, comfort, and ego for the nation’s welfare. If we succeed in setting aside our personal ambitions, even briefly, we can become an example for the world—especially for those nations still ruled by despots and deprived of basic freedoms. Generations of blind obedience to tyranny kill merit and stifle truth.

Our system must return to Qur’anic principles: mutual consultation, and entrusting responsibility to those qualified. The verse “and consult with them in matters” and the command to return trusts to those who deserve them are not suggestions—they are divine instructions.

Our failure to follow these commands is the root of our humiliation.

But there is hope. If we begin to act even on these two commandments, we may fulfill the vision that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had for Pakistan. He said:

“If God gives me the opportunity, I will show the world that by acting on the principles of Islam, Pakistan can become a model for humanity. We will make Pakistan the center for the propagation of the Islamic way of life.”

—(From the weekly column “Aks-e-Khayal,” Roznama Nai Baat, April 14, 2025 – Wednesday)

Dr. Azhar Waheed is the spiritual & intellectual successor of Wasif Ali Wasif RHT. He has written an article in Urdu on the current state of affairs.

Translation by Aadil Farook