Group Dynamics in Islam

Islam encourages people to make decisions through mutual consultation of the group members; it does not generally promote the concept of individual decision-making. It is well-known that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to consult his closest companions and also his wives in times of uncertainty and he himself had his own Shura (or mutual consultation) during his time, writes SYED KAZIM.   Group dynamics refers to a system of behaviors and psychological processes occurring within or between social groups. Group dynamics are the core of understanding racism and other forms of social prejudice and discrimination. The study of group dynamics can be useful in understanding decision-making behaviour, tracking the spread of diseases in society, creating effective therapy techniques, and following the emergence and popularity of new ideas and technologies. A group is a collection of people where each individual is a powerhouse of talent, knowledge, expertise, skill and above all the right attitude. A group is effective and powerful when it delivers quality in results. For this every individual should become a part of the group and add value to it. The Qur’an in many places addressed the importance of being in a group. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an,

“Let there arise amongst you a group that invites to the good, orders what is right and forbids what is evil, and they are those who are successful.” (3:104)

The verse clearly explains that in order to enjoin what is good and to forbid what is evil, one needs to be in form of a group, so that the duty can be performed satisfactorily. It is a great responsibility on the Muslim Ummah that could only be performed effectively, when it is performed in a group. There are many sayings of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) which promote people to live in groups. In a saying, he (pbuh) has said, “The devil continually pursues human as a wolf pursues sheep. The wolf only dares to attack those sheep which have separated from the rest of the flock and are standing alone, and so, my followers and my devotees, save yourselves from being caught in the traps of misguidance and firmly remain with the largest and most well-known group of Muslims” (Ahmad). He (pbuh) said,

“Whoever wants to get the centre of paradise should stick to the Jamaah.” (Tirmidhi)

He (pbuh) has said,

“The hand of Allah is on the Jamaah.” (Tirmidhi)

He (pbuh) said,

 “Whosoever left Jamaah even the size of a palm removes the chain of Islam from his neck unless he reverted (to the Jamaah).” (Mustadrak Hakim; Vol. 1)

He (pbuh) said,

 “Jamaah is a blessing and sectarianism a torment.” (Ahmad)

He (pbuh) said,

 “Leaving of the Jamaah is abandoning the Sunnah.” (Ahmad)

All the above-stated orders given to us by the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) help us to understand the important of being in a group. Islam has given high importance to live and work in groups, as working as a group yields better and effective results and also makes sense. Since it is next to impossible to survive on one’s own, it is always advised to live in a group. Islam gives such high importance to group dynamics that the basic foundational pillars of Islam like, Salah, Sawm, Zakat and Hajj are performed in a group. Living in groups have a lot of benefits to offer. To name a few, it helps to use the strengths, talents and skills which people possess, it help people accomplish their task much faster, it helps to generate better ideas, it helps people to learn from others, etc. Salah is an act of worship which displays group dynamics five times a day. Salah is central to the establishment of this collective strength. Salah generates and consolidates the social cohesiveness in the Ummah.Congregational prayer five times a day, the Friday congregation, the congregation of two festivals all these together make us like a strong wall and create in us that singleness of purpose, cohesiveness and real unity, which are necessary to make us helpers of each other in the cause of Allah (swt) in our day-to-day lives. There is a reward for performing Salah individually, but performing it in congregation increases the benefit by many folds. Thus, Salah guides the believers to live and perform activities in a group under the leadership of a person. Observance of individual Fast is no doubt a major source of moral and spiritual training, but by prescribing that all Muslims must fast in the month of Ramadan, the benefits have been greatly increased. If everyone were to perform fasting singly, the effect on individual lives would still be great. But making it a collective act enhances its effectiveness to a point which gives a new dimension altogether. Thus, we learn the concept of group living in the act of fasting as well. Giving Zakat has many advantages even if dispensed individually, but with the establishment of a centralised treasury (which was implemented at the time of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)) for its collection and disbursement its usefulness is increased beyond measure. If everyone were to gives Zakat singly, the effect on individual lives would still be great. But making it a collective act enhances its effectiveness to a point which gives a new dimension altogether. Thus, we learn the concept of group support in the act of giving Zakat. The great blessings of spiritual and moral regeneration which Hajj imparts to each person are before us. But we cannot fully appreciate the blessings of Hajj unless we keep in view the fact that Muslims do not perform it individually. If everyone were to perform Hajj singly, the effect on individual lives would still be great. But making it a collective act enhances its effectiveness to a point which gives a new dimension altogether. Hundreds of thousands perform it together during a fixed time. Hajj teachers people to live together and perform activities together. It is an act to display and teach brotherhood at a universal level. A lot of good can come out of hanging on together and helping each other out in times of difficulties. This gets to collate the good in each Muslim and shun out the evil that may be therein. It also blocks out Satan the accursed and his devices, no matter in what form. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was also firm about Muslims working together as a group, he once said, “Faithful believers are to each other as the bricks of a wall, supporting and reinforcing each other. So saying, the Prophet Muhammad clasped his hands by interlocking his fingers” (Bukhari). The interlocking device of our tiny limbs of our fingers represents how close believers can be to each other, without breaking apart and how much stronger they can be, without allowing anything to fall through. Probably the best group dynamics seen in Islamic history is the one between the Ansar and Muhajireen when the first few Muslims migrated from Makkah to Madinah in plight of a better life and to be able to practice Islam in public. Unknown to each other, both groups of men and women were united at the beginning of the first Muslim civilization and built the foundation of Islam from the grassroots. The Ansar were sharing their homes, their food, providing jobs to total strangers on the sole word of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that this was the right way of life; and the Muhajireen, putting their trust in Allah, followed the Prophet’s orders to migrate into unknown territory and start new lives out of the blue. The strongest band of Muslims soon followed, one that is hard to replicate until the last day. Islam encourages people to make decisions through mutual consultation of the group members; it does not, generally, promote the concept of individual decision-making. It is well known that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to consult his closest companions and also his wives in times of uncertainty and he himself had his own Shura (mutual consultation) during his time. There are various occasions when he (pbuh) has taken opinion of the companions before taking a decision. He took the opinion when they had to go out to fight the disbelievers at Uhud, to stay back to fight the disbelievers in Taif and on turning back from reconciling with Ghatfaan at Al-Khandaq (the ditch). Taking the opinion of people in the group will prove to be very beneficial, as the group tends to get many ideas and advices. Once a wise man said, “Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one”. When we ponder over the creation of Allah (swt), they also work in coordination with one another and also live in groups. When we observe the solar system and the trees they work in coordination with one another. When we observe animals and insects like ants, bees, birds, fishes, ducks, sheeps, elephants, etc., even they work in groups. The Muslims have a great task and responsibility at hand and this great act cannot be performed effectively and cannot be accomplished without being part of an organised group. Every single one of us should look at himself, whether he is a part of a Jamaah (Group) or not. However, if he is living a life alone, isolated from the Jamaah, then he should know that the wolves of mankind will eat him up sooner or later. To be saved from this, he should hasten towards associating himself with a Jamaah that works in accordance with the Qur’an and Sunnah. Through this, he will be able to live a happy life, both in this life and in the Hereafter, as a result of those who will help and support him towards the obedience of Allah (swt) and the obedience of His Messenger (pbuh). When a person lives and works in a group, he is showered with lots of blessings. He tends to develop the qualities of sharing, empathy, understanding, open mindedness, strong determination, brotherhood, love, mutual consultation, discipline, controlling emotions, becomes responsible, enhancing performance, etc. The strength of a thriving Muslim community lies in its unity.It is no wonder, being united and working in an organised and disciplined fashion within a group was clearly mentioned, encouraged and ordered by the Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). Every Muslim should play an integrative role to help build the Ummah. No one can live alone in isolation in a cave and expect Islam to succeed. It is important to remember that group dynamics is a form of humility because Muslims are encouraged to bring out the best of each other and to shun evil at all times. Working in groups has been a crucial need for Muslims and one that everyone needs to honour.