like one hand, a single body, a single structure—just as the Prophet ﷺ likened the ummah. Such unity is a mercy for the Muslims: their blood is spared, their hearts grow affectionate, and their society enjoys safety. When this state prevails, provisions pour in upon them; but if they quarrel, sever their ties, and harbor mutual hatred, the enemy prevails over them and they end up shedding one another’s blood.

Differences fall into two categories:

1. Divergence in creed. This is never permissible, for it breeds conflict, enmity, and hatred, and it fractures the ranks. Muslims must hold to a single creed—the creed of “there is no god but Allah”—affirming it in word, deed, and conviction. Creed is divinely fixed and not subject to personal reasoning; hence there is no room for division in it. It is taken from the Book and the Sunnah, not from opinions or conjecture. Splitting over creed leads to hostility, mutual loathing, and estrangement, as occurred with the Jahmiyyah, the Muʿtazilah, the Ashʿariyyah, and the other deviant sects that the Prophet ﷺ foretold when he said, “This ummah will divide into seventy-three groups, all of them in the Fire except one.” They asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “Those who are upon what I and my Companions are upon.” 1

Only that which accords with what the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions followed can truly unite the people.