Definition of Ummah in 2023

Definition of Ummah||2023

1. The all-over Muslim community is bound together by ties of religion.

Ummah (Arabic: أمة‎ [ˈʊm.mæ]) is an Arabic word meaning "community". It is distinguished from shaʻb (شعب [ʃæʕb]), which means a nation with common ancestry or geography. Thus, it can be said to be a supra-national community with a common history.

Umma (also ummah) is that Arabic term for "nation". About Islam, ummah refers to the whole Muslim world or the community of believers. As a theological concept, the ummah is meant to transcend national, racial, and class divisions to unite all Muslims.

It is a synonym for ummat al-Islām (أمة الإسلام, 'the Islamic community); it is commonly used to mean the collective community of Islamic people. In the Quran, the ummah typically refers to a single group that shares common religious beliefs, specifically those objects of a divine plan of salvation. In the context of pan-Islamism and politics, the word ummah can be used to mean the concept of a Commonwealth of the Believers (أمة المؤمنين ummat al-muʼminīn).

‘In Medina, Mohammed established an ummah, a Muslim community, with every aspect of life - political, religious, social and economic - subject to Islamic teaching.’

Eight Definition of Umma

1. Umma is the community of faith. Faith enlarges our community, and faith also strengthens our community. The more the people of faith, the larger is our community, and the stronger the faith, the better will be our community.

2.  Umma is Universal. It transcends the barriers of race, colour, language or nationality. We are part of the universal Ummah, and wherever Muslims live, they are the Ummah of that areaUniversality does not require that all people of the Ummah must dress alike, eat alike, or think alike. Diversity is good, and it enriches the Ummah. E Pluribus Unum “Out of many, one” was the first motto of the United States. This is basically an Islamic principle.

3. Umma is Balanced: Ummah avoids extremes; it follows the middle path of moderation. It keeps the balance between the material and spiritual, between the temporal and eternal, between the individual and communal.

4. Umma is of Ukhuwwah. The relationship between the members of our community is that of Ukhuwwah. We are brothers and sisters to each other.  This means that we are equal, and we must love and care for each other. Just as blood brothers and sisters usually care for each other, so the members of this Ummah should care for each other. To keep this brotherhood strong, Muslims must avoid certain things. These are mentioned especially in Surah al-Hujurat (Surah 49):

•    Do not accept or spread rumours

•    Do not fight each other and if there is a fight, then make reconciliation quickly

•    Do not make sarcastic remarks against each other or abuse each other, do not suspect or backbite each other or spies against each other.

5.  Umma is of Shura – Shura is consultation, organization, leadership and working together. This is the operational principle. The members of the Ummah must work with each other under the principles of Shura. They should be open and honest, their dealings must be transparent, and they must not do anything in their community that matters against the people's will.

6.  Umma builds institutions – Groups cannot survive without institutions. They need them for their survival and for their growth. Some of the most important institutions of the Ummah are Masajid, Schools, and Social service programs as primary institutions. It also establishes other economic, judicial and political institutions according to the needs and circumstances.

7.    Umma is of Da’wah – Our mission is to invite others to the path of God with wisdom and good preaching. We must remove suspicions and misunderstandings from the minds of others. We must not force anyone to accept Islam, but we must invite people to Islam. We do have many things in common with the people of other faiths as well as differences. We should build on the commonalities, and where we differ, we should do so respectfully. We must not misrepresent other people, and we must not create hate against any group or religion.

8.    Umma is for the benefit of all people. خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ (Best community singled out for mankind.) It is said: خير الناس من ينفع الناس   (The best people are those who are beneficial to people.) Today's world is shrinking, and people talk about the “global village” or “age of globalization.” We should not speak only of faith community and intra-faith community, but we should also pay attention to:

1.     Interfaith community – like-minded people of different faiths should have dialogue and should work together.
2.     The global community – We live in an interdependent world, and we should think of peace and justice for all people. It is said, “Think globally and act locally.”  Whatever we do locally in our own area or in our own community, we must keep in mind that it may impact the global community.
3.     Peace and justice for all people – This should be our objective and goal.

May Allah guide us to understand our role and bless us to become the model community.

The definition of Ummah is a community of believers bound together with a common purpose, that is, to worship Lord and with a common goal to advance the cause of Islam. To every Ummah, Allah Almighty sent a messenger for its guidance. The Holy Quran uses the word Ummah to refer to the past communities, such as the Ummah of Prophet Musa (AS) or the Ummah of Prophet Isa (AS). In the Noble Quran, Allah (SWT) says: “And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Pray Allah and avoid Taghut.” (Quran, 16:36)

According to the religion Islam, the Ummah, or Muslim community, is a group of people from diverse backgrounds, ancestry, locations, and nationalities. Muslim Ummah is a community without borders yet united genuinely, separated by distance and often constrained by borders. They are one nation or community united under the guidance of the One Lord. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “And verily this Ummah of yours is One Ummah, and I am your Lord and Cherisher, therefore fear Me and no other.” (Quran 23:52)

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent to educate an Ummah for the benefit of humanity. Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was commanded by Allah Almighty to convey a divine message, both guidance and a warning to all mankind. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty refers to the Ummah of Muhammad (SAW) as the best community. “You are the best community (Ummah) raised up for (the benefit of) humanity; enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong and believing in God…” (Quran 3:110)

The Islamic Society or Muslim Ummah is unique in its structure, composition and its characteristics. These characteristics are depicted from the Holy Quran and the Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty mentioned the characteristics of the Muslim ummah in these words: “You are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong and believing in God” (Quran, 3:110).

Another characteristic of the Muslim Ummah is based on Moderation. That’s why it is an Ummah of moderation. This concept of community of moderation is explained in the Holy Quran very nicely in Surah-Al-Baqarah in these words: “Thus have we made of you an Ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves,” (Quran, 2:143).

One of the most important characteristics of Islamic society is Taqwa. This word “Taqwa” may be defined to mean self-discipline, self-control, self-restraint, and self-education. In this regard, Allah Almighty demanded from the Muslim Ummah to have Taqwa. In this regard, the Holy Quran states in Surah Al-Imran: “O you who believe! Fear God as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.” (Quran, 2:102)

The Holy Quran states another important characteristic: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. and God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”

The concept of advice is another characteristic of Muslim Ummah. Abu Ruqaiyah Tamim BinAwss Al Dari narrated that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The Religion is Advice. We asked: for whom? He said: for Allah, for His book, for His messengers, for the Imams of the Muslims, and for the rest of the Muslim Ummah.” (Muslim)

The above-mentioned characteristics are some of the characteristics that an Islamic Society or Muslim Ummah is privileged with. If Muslims adhere to such characteristics and apply them in their daily lives, many of their daily problems will be solved. May Almighty Allah help Muslims follow Islam's teachings to receive the blessings of Allah (SWT) in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen!