Elements of Unity

Just as there are external differences that define the boundaries of a group, so there are also internal differences within a group. But such differences are a potential source of blessing. (Although, it should be pointed out that the laudable difference is that which is prior to knowledge.)34
These differences are like the imbalance between the two trays of a balance, both of which work together to yield just apportionment.
When the weight of a weighed item differs from that of the weights, the two trays do not meet; one is higher and the other lower; they disagree but the purpose of each one is right and towards the establishment of a balance. Thus disparity before the final levelling out is sacred. The differences that God—immaculate is He—has imbedded in human nature are of this sort. Such differences are inevitable.
But it is those differences that remain after one gains knowledge that are nothing but the fruits of egotism:
and none differed in [the Book] except those who had been given it, after the manifest proofs had come to them, out of a desire to violate [the rights of] one another.35
But they did not differ except after knowledge had come to them, out of a desire to violate [the rights of] one another.36
God warns us that this desire to violate the rights of others harms, first and foremost, ourselves:
O mankind! Your violations are only to your own detriment.37
We beseech God that He purify our soul and restore it to its pristine state and grant us a firm faith: with a pure soul and a firm faith, we can achieve unity in all spheres.
1. Qur’an 6:54.
2. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sayings: 211.
3. Qur’an 30:30.
4. Qur’an 30:30.
5. Qur’an 23:51-52.
6. Quran 23:53.
7. Qur’an 3:103.
8. Qur’an 8:12.
9. Qur’an 48:29.
10. Qur’an 41:34.
11. Qur’an 41:35.
12. Qur’an 2:151.
13. Qur’an 18:45.
14. Qur’an 57:20.
15. Qur’an 105:5.
16. Qur’an 54:31.
17. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sayings: 147.
18. Qur’an 7:38.
19. Qur’an 15:47.
20. Qur’an 59:10.
21. Qur’an 8:63.
22. Nahj al-Balaghah, Letters: 78.
23. Qur’an 23:53.
24. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 113.
25. Qur’an 104:6-7.
26. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 176.
27. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 127.
28. Please note that this example holds only where the government is Islamic. The author makes this statement with a reference to the Islamic Republic of Iran. [Tr.]29. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 127.
30. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 176.
31. Qur’an 18:1.
32. See Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermons: 113.
33. Nahj al-Balaghah, Sayings: 154.
34. That is, differences that encourage debate and thus enlighten us are laudable. Those differences, however, that rise from acrimony and bigotry can only produce contention. [Tr.]35. Qur’an 2:213.
36. Qur’an 45:17.
37. Qur’an 10:23.