Seek Unity among Humankind, Not Dissension: Converge on Fundamental, not Diverge: Seek Unity in Diversity.

Sura -42 [ Ash-Shura, Mecca 53 ]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s version:

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ...

42:13. The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah-the which We have sent by inspiration to thee-

C4541. Allah's Religion is the same in essence, whether given, for example, to Noah, Abraham, Moses, or Jesus, or to our holy Prophet. The source of unity is the revelation from Allah.

In Islam it is "established" as an institution, and does not remain merely a vague suggestion.

...وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى ...

and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus:

... أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ...

Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in Religion, and make no divisions therein:

C4542. Faith, Duty or Religion, is not a matter to dispute about. The formation of sects is against the very principle of Religion and Unity. What we should strive for is steadfastness in duty and faith, and unity among mankind.

...كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ...

to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them.

C4543. Unity, unselfishness, love for Allah and man,-these things are inconsistent with selfish aggrandizement, unjust suppression of our fellow-creatures, false worship, and false conduct to our brethren. Hence the Gospel of Unity, though it is in complete accord with the pure pattern after which Allah made us, is yet hard to those who love self and falsehood. But Grace is free to all, and in His wise Plan, He will specially select Teachers to show the Way to humanity, and no one who turns to Him will lack guidance.

...اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يَشَاء وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَن يُنِيبُ ﴿١٣﴾

Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).

فَلِذَلِكَ فَادْعُ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءهُمْ...

42:15. Now then, for that (reason), call (them to the Faith), and stand steadfast as thou art commanded, nor follow thou their vain desires;

C4547. How beautifully the mission of Islam is commended in this verse!

1. The more sectarianism and division there is in the world, the more need is there for the Gospel of Unity.

2. It must steadfastly pursue its way.

3. It must not be deflected by worldly or political motives.

4. Its faith must be directly in Allah and in Allah's Revelation. "The Book" mentioned here covers all the revelations sent by Allah to His prophets.

5. it must judge justly between warring factions, as the Religion of Peace and Unity.

...وَقُلْ آمَنتُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ مِن كِتَابٍ وَأُمِرْتُ لِأَعْدِلَ بَيْنَكُمُ...

"I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you.

...اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكُمْ لَنَا أَعْمَالُنَا وَلَكُمْ أَعْمَالُكُمْ لَا حُجَّةَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمُ...

Allah is Our Lord and your Lord.

For us (is the responsibility for) Our deeds, and for you for your deeds.

There is no contention between us and you.

C4548. The Mission of Islam is further described.

6. The God whom it preaches is not an exclusive God: He is the Lord of the Worlds: to any given person, of whatever faith, 'He is your Allah, as well as mine.'

7. Our Faith is not a question of words; it is deeds which decide; each one of us has personal responsibility for his own conduct.

8. There is no cause of contention whatever, when we preach Unity, Truth, and the Hereafter.

9. If you have doubts, the final arbiter is Allah, and His pleasure is our Goal.

...اللَّهُ يَجْمَعُ بَيْنَنَا وَإِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ ﴿١٥﴾

Allah will bring us together, and to Him is (Our) final goal.

Asad’s Version:

42: 13

Asad In matters of faith, He has ordained for you that which He had enjoined upon Noah – and into which We gave thee [O Muhammad] insight through revelation – as well as that We had enjoined upon Abraham, ……….and do not break up your unity therein.

Yusuf Ali The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah--the which We have sent by inspiration to thee--and that which We enjoined on Abraham Moses and Jesus: Namely that ye should remain steadfast in Religion and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).

Pickthall He hath ordained for you that religion which He commended unto Noah, and that which We inspire in thee (Muhammad), and that which We commended unto Abraham and Moses and Jesus, saying: Establish the religion, and be not divided therein. Dreadful for the idolaters is that unto which thou callest them. Allah chooseth for Himself whom He will, and guideth unto Himself him who turneth (toward Him).

Transliteration Sara'a lakum minad dini ma_ wasa_ bihi nu_haw wal lazi auhaina_ ilaika wa ma_ was saina_ bihi ibra_hima wa mu_sa_ wa isa_ an aqimud dina wa la_ tatafar raqu_ fih kabura alal musrikina ma tadu_hum ilaih al la_hu yajtabi ilaihi may yasya_u wa yahdi ilaihi may yunib

[Asad note 13 Lit., …..implying that it was only through revelation that the Prophet Muhammad came to know “that which God had enjoined upon Noah”.

Asad note 14: Cf. 3:19 – “the only religion ………….]

42: 15

Asad Because of this then, summon [all mankind], and pursue the right course, as you have been bidden; and do not follow their likes and dislikes, but say:

“ I believe in whatever revelation God has bestowed from on high; and I am bidden to bring about equity in your mutual views. God is our Sustainer as well as your Sustainer. To us shall be accounted our deeds, and to you, yours. Let there be no contention between us and you: God will bring us all together – for with Him is all journeys’ end.”

Yusuf Ali Now then for that (reason) call (them to the Faith) and stand steadfast as thou art commanded nor follow thou their vain desires; but say: "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down; and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is Our Lord and your Lord. For us (is the responsibility for) Our deeds and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together and to Him is (Our) final goal.

Pickthall Unto this, then, summon (O Muhammad). And be thou upright as thou art commanded, and follow not their lusts, but say: I believe in whatever Scripture Allah hath sent down, and I am commanded to be just among you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord. Unto us our works and unto you your works; no argument between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and unto Him is the journeying.

Transliteration Fa liza_lika fadu wastaqim kama_ umirta wa la_ tat tabi ahwa_ ahum wa qul a_mantu bima_ anzalal la_hu min kita_b wa umirtu li adila bainakum al la_hu rab buna_ wa rab bukum lana_ ama_luna_ wa lakum ama_lukum la_ huj jata bainana_ wa bainakum al la_hu yajmau bainana_ wa ilaihil masir