Obstacle to Unity and Solidarity: Disrespect of Other Religions and Sects - (Part Three)

By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam 12 August 2025 Abstract: Sectarian and religious hatred threatens social unity, peace, and development. Disrespect towards different religions causes division, violence, and economic decline. Islam promotes equality, tolerance, and brotherhood. To prevent conflict and civil war, societies must foster respect, dialogue, and equal rights for all groups. Main Points: 1. Religious intolerance creates social division and spreads hatred widely. 2. Sectarian violence weakens society and harms economic activities. 3. Islam teaches equality, brotherhood, and respect among all people. 4. Disrespect for beliefs leads to protests, riots, and civil wars. 5. Education must promote tolerance, harmony, and equal rights always. 6. Preventing hatred requires dialogue, justice, and banning hate speech. ----- Unity, solidarity, and social harmony face a major obstacle in sectarian and religious hatred. We observe that in the name of sects, beliefs, and religions, a very dangerous game is being played in society. This not only harms harmony, unity, and solidarity but has now turned into hatred, the effects of which are visible daily. Moreover, religion and sects have become a tool for formal politics. Sectarian and religious violence is like a deadly poison for any society. It is a cancer that silently hollows out the social fabric and negatively impacts every aspect of development. When intolerance, hatred, and violence are promoted in the name of religion or sect, the consequences are destructive not only for the present generation but also for future ones. Sectarian and religious violence first targets social unity. When people judge each other solely based on their beliefs or sects, love, tolerance, and mutual trust vanish. Consequently, society divides into different groups and becomes internally weak. This situation creates a favourable environment for enemy forces. Violence and unrest caused by religion and sect also weaken economic activities. Investors withdraw their capital due to insecurity or shift it to other areas. Losses occur in tourism, industry, agriculture, and all sectors. Poverty and unemployment rise in affected regions, leading to further social problems. The Importance of Respecting Religions and Sects: Human society is made up of people belonging to different beliefs, religions, and sects. This diversity is actually a source of social beauty and intellectual richness. But when the feeling of respecting others' religions or sects disappears, this diversity becomes a cause of discord, hatred, and conflict instead of a blessing. Disrespect for religions and sects causes destructive effects on individuals, society, the economy, and the state. The following are some harms that arise from this disrespect: Promotion of Social Division and Hatred: Disrespect for religions and sects widens the gap between different groups. People start seeing each other as enemies. This hatred spreads to family relations, neighbourhoods, educational institutions, and workplaces, breaking social unity. Such division deeply wounds the social harmony of society. When individuals in a society are divided into separate groups based on race, language, religion, sect, class, or region, mutual trust weakens. This division slowly breeds suspicion, jealousy, and prejudice in hearts, which eventually turns into hatred. In a society where every group considers itself superior and others inferior, dialogue and cooperation end. Instead of rejoicing in others’ success, people become jealous and hostile. This hatred penetrates educational institutions, businesses, politics, and even family systems, causing widespread breakdown of social structures. History shows that social division often precedes riots, civil wars, and social chaos. The Quran and Sunnah teach us unity, brotherhood, and justice to establish an atmosphere of love and tolerance instead of hatred. To end social division, the following Hadith holds great importance: "Sayyidna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said during the Farewell Sermon on the day of Tashreeq: 'O people! Your Lord is one, and your father is one. Beware! No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab to an Arab; no white person is superior to a black person, nor a black person to a white person, except through piety. Allah, the Exalted, says: 'Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.' Did I convey the message? They said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: Convey these words to those who are absent.'” (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hadith no. 23489) At another place, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The believers are like one body; when one part feels pain, the whole body suffers from fever and sleeplessness." This teaching shows that Islam advocates social equality and mutual sympathy. After migration (Hijrah) to Medina, the Prophet (peace be upon him) established the Constitution of Medina, which made Muslims, Jews, and other tribes part of a political and social unity. This was the first written agreement that gave equal rights to different religions and tribes and implemented social harmony. Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), a former slave from Abyssinia, was given a high status in Islam, even entrusted with the great responsibility of calling to prayer (Adhan). When he called the Adhan from the roof of the Kaaba after the conquest of Mecca, it was a vivid example of Islam's message of equality. During the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, non-Muslim citizens (Ahl al-Dhimmah) were also granted equal rights and justice. Thus, Islam's social system rejects discrimination based on colour, race, language, or nationality. The Quran, Sunnah, and Islamic history prove that true superiority is only based on piety and character. Only by adopting this system can justice, peace, and brotherhood be established in society. The Danger of Violence and Civil War: When other people’s beliefs are insulted, emotions flare up, often resulting in protests, riots, and civil war. History contains many examples where religious intolerance destroyed entire civilizations. Religious and sectarian hatred is a social poison that slowly erodes societal unity and peace. It refers to an attitude where followers of different religions or even different sects within the same religion refuse to acknowledge each other’s beliefs, rituals, or religious figures and instead express hatred, prejudice, and enmity. When these feelings intensify, mutual tolerance and dialogue cease, and social relations become tense, escalating to violence. History shows that religious and sectarian hatred often leads to internal conflict, riots, and eventually civil war. This danger is worsened when political or powerful elements exploit these differences for their own interests, inciting the public with religious slogans or giving state support to one group. This increases distrust and hatred among people and raises questions about the impartiality of institutions. The damage caused by religious and sectarian hatred and civil war is not limited to loss of life and property. It cripples the national economy, destroys educational and social structures, forces public migration, and damages the country's reputation internationally. It also creates opportunities for foreign powers and organizations to interfere, worsening the situation. To prevent this danger, it is essential that both the state and society promote a culture of tolerance, acceptance, and dialogue. Educational curricula should emphasize religious harmony and human equality. Hate speech and materials must be strictly banned, and all groups should be given equal opportunities and justice. Only through these measures can the flames of religious and sectarian hatred be extinguished and the threat of civil war be rooted out. ----- Other Parts of the Article: Narrow-Mindedness: An Obstacle To Social Harmony - (Part One) Justice and Fairness – The Cornerstone of Social Unity - (Part Two) ---- Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Author and Columnist URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/obstacle-unity-solidarity-religions-sects-part-three/d/136469 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism