For this reason, even while fighting one another, the early generations maintained their bonds of religious allegiance. They did not treat one another with the hostility shown to unbelievers. They accepted one another’s testimony, learned from one another, inherited from one another, intermarried, and dealt with one another as Muslims ordinarily do, despite the fighting, mutual cursing, and other disputes between them.

It is established in the Sahīh collection that:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked his Lord not to destroy his community through a widespread famine, and He granted him that. He asked Him not to give an enemy from outside their community power over them, and He granted him that. He asked Him not to let them fight one another, but that request was not granted.”

He also stated that Allah would not give an enemy from outside their community power to overcome them all until some of them began killing others and taking others captive. It is also established in both Sahīh collections that:

“When the words of Allah Most High were revealed, ‘Say: He has the power to send punishment upon you from above you,’ he said, ‘I seek refuge in Your Face.’ At the words, ‘or from beneath your feet,’ he said, ‘I seek refuge in Your Face.’ At the words, ‘or to divide you into factions and make you taste one another’s violence,’ he said, ‘These two are less severe.’”

This is so even though Allah commanded unity and concord and forbade religious innovation and division. He said:

“Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects—you have nothing to do with them.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Hold fast to the community, for Allah’s Hand is over the community.”

And he said: “Satan