Allah says in the Noble Qur’an...

Allah says in the Noble Qur’an, “Truly, your nation is one united nation, and I am your Lord,” [^4] and “Verily this (your nation) is one nation, and I am your Lord, so uphold your duty to Me.” [^5] Throughout the twenty-three years of his propagation, the Messenger of Allah emphasized the unity of his nation and called them “My Nation ( Ummati ).” The Noble Qur’an gives six meanings for the word ummah: a group of people, an example, adherence to a religion, a religion itself, the time, and a group that follows one tradition and one way.

However, it is not used for a group that does not follow one tradition and one way. The concept of unity itself is discussed in the Noble Qur’an on three levels. Foremost, it is the unity of humanity, “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another.

Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is the one who has piety.” [^6] The aim of this unity is to direct all the racial, tribal, and religious differences into a constructive direction. Thus the emphasis on “knowing one another” ( li-ta‘arifu ) is that people should find mutual understanding rather than conflict, so that no one is denied the rights for life and prosperity.

The second form is within the unity of the People of the Book (or the monotheistic religions), for which the Qur’an says, “Say (O ): O People of the Book! Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us will take others as lords besides Allah.

Then if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.” [^7] The Noble Qur’an reiterates that the People of the Book were asked to worship only Allah, “And they were commanded not, except that they should worship Allah and worship none but Him alone.” [^8] The essential monotheistic unity of the People of the Book exists, but it should not be taken to mean that there are no differences between their rules and laws and that of Islam’s.

While the original way ( din /religion) is seen throughout all monotheistic religions, the practical implementation—i.e. the law—is different according to the Qur’an, “To each among you We have prescribed a law, and a clear way.