Islam and Peace
Solidarity and Islam
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SOLIDARITY AND ISLAM
Solidarity means “unity of feeling and action
among different individuals.” Thus defined, it is a
spirit truly worth fostering and, in this, religion has
a major role to play. In fact, there can be no
solidarity without religion. Being of the view that
whenever religion is a true, living force, solidarity
will naturally ensue, I should now like to present
the Islamic viewpoint on this subject.
Religion, as summed up in Islamic teachings, is
basically a matter of loving God and wishing other
human beings well. Of the former, the Qur’an says,
“The love of God is stronger in the faithful.” (2:165)
Of the latter, the Qur’an has to say: “Those who
believe, enjoin patience and enjoin mercy.” (90:17)
This is basic to the teachings of all religions and
sums up the principal tenets of Islam. It is quite
apparent that when human relationships come
under the influence of such teachings, solidarity
will, of itself, emerge as a psychological necessity,
even amongst those who at the outset have little
sense of fellow-feelings. Despite partial differences,
