It was just a couple of weeks ago that the whole world had its eyes on the United Nations (UN) headquarters, awaiting the outcome of the General Assembly of the United Nations with regards to the Palestinian State. The United Nations is a body which is regarded as one of the biggest achievements of modern history, since this is the place where delegates from all countries and across all cultures discuss and resolve matters of mutual importance as equals. The history of this highly esteemed organization goes back to some 60 years, but just a few people know that the UN is just a copy of a much older body and can never compete with its quality. The original United Nations is the Nation of Islam, the Ummah, which was from the beginning a truly ‘united nation', for all people were willing to submit to the will of Allah. Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), one of the first Muslims was from Abyssinia (Ethiopia), Salman Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) was from Persia, and so on. The Ummah, the Islamic community, is the only true international brotherhood of man for the last 1,446 years. The Islamic da'wah (call to submit to Allah) is a global one and nobody in the world can compete with it. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to the people, to all nations for all times and he is the seal of the prophets. “We have not sent you but as a universal messenger to men, giving them glad tidings and warning them (against sin)” (34:28) Today, we find Muslims in every corner of the world. Although they speak different languages, different dialects, have different customs but all of them are bound together in the brotherhood of Islam, through their faith. “The believers are brothers” (49:10) This is the bond, ordained by Allah, that unites the Muslims. No matter how far apart their homelands are and no matter what differences there may be in race, color or language, the bond of the Islamic faith keeps the Ummah together. Islam has created a nation in which the superiority of race, tribe, color or segregation is eliminated and void. During his last Khutba (sermon), given during Haj at Mount Arafat, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white, except by piety and good action. Learn that a Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood.” Allah establishes a united nation of all the believers regardless of blood relationship, tribe, color or race. Allah made one Ummah, one family, out of all Muslims, the ones who submit to the will of Allah, the Almighty. This blessing of Islamic brotherhood is one of the greatest blessings of Allah. He made the believers brothers of one another, after they had been enemies who hated and despised one another. “And remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another but he joined your hearts together, so that, by His grace, you became brethren (in Islamic faith).” (3:103) In this type of United Nations, decisions are reached through mutual consultation, called Shourah in Islam, in which the interest of all groups are taken into consideration. “…and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation,….” (42:38) “and consult them in the affairs” (3:159) The first general assembly of the original United Nations was called by Allah, the Almghty Himself, when he commanded Ibrahim: “…And proclaim to the people the Haj (pilgrimage)…” (22:27) Haj is the annual general assembly of the Islamic Nations. Once every year Muslims from all over the world gather on the command of their Lord, to fulfill their obligation towards Allah and to get to know each other. During the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the rightly guided caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them), Haj was the occasion for Muslims to discuss mutual affairs, to inform the ruler about any problems and to decide on important issues according to the law of Allah. This was done due to mutual respect, without one group oppressing another. During the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), this system of United Nations was quite revolutionary. One Nation united under Allah,the Almighty following one belief, giving rights to everybody and fearing Allah was the secret behind the success of the first Muslims. “And indeed this, your religion (community), is one religion (community), and I am your Lord, so fear me.” (23:52) __
