And if the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, went along with Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, in adding to the prayer itself—when he performed the four-rak‘ah prayer in full at Mina rather than shortening it—then what of adding an entirely separate prayer? The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, followed Uthman when he performed the prayer in full at Mina, although it is well known from the sunnah of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and the practice of Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman during the first eight—or six—years of his caliphate, that they would pray two rak‘ahs at Mina. Yet toward the end of Uthman’s caliphate, he began praying four. Indeed, when Ibn Masud, may Allah be pleased with him, heard of this, he recited, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return,” regarding it as a serious matter. Nevertheless, despite their objection to his action, they would pray four rak‘ahs behind him—all in order to avert disagreement. It was even said to Ibn Masud: “O Abu Abd al-Rahman, how can you pray four rak‘ahs when you object to this?” He replied: “Disagreement is evil.” (1)

This is the truth which Allah has commanded. He, Most High, says: “Indeed, this community of yours is one community.” [The Believers 23:52] And He says: “Establish the religion and do not be divided therein.” [Consultation 42:13] And He says: “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them whatsoever.” [The Cattle 6:159]

The Muslim Ummah is one community, even if its views differ. Its outward appearance must therefore remain unified and not divided, for the Muslim Ummah has enemies who openly declare their hostility: the outright disbelievers, such as the Jews, Christians, Magians, idolaters, communists, and others.

It also has enemies who conceal their hostility, such as the hypocrites. How numerous the hypocrites are in our time, even though they call themselves by names other than hypocrisy, such as a party