The Call of the Quran

2. The Call to God and Unity ~ 41 ~ History tells us that a mutual bond of brotherhood and unity existed among Muslims as long as they engaged themselves in the task of inviting people to the truth. But the moment they deviated from this path, they fell a prey to unending dispute and dissension. Subsequently, they were withdrawn from their designated duty of inviting people to God because of having lost their unity — the greatest strength of a community or group in this world. AN EXAMPLE FROM AN EARLY ISLAMIC AGE According to most sources, the Prophet passed away on 12 Rabial-Awwal of 11 A.H. Two weeks before his demise the Prophet assembled a special army to encounter the Romans (Byzantines.). The Prophet included in this army all the leading companions with Osama bin Zayd bin Harith as their commander. The contingent was despatched to Syria where a battle had taken place between Romans and Muslims at Mawta. Seventeen year old Osama was the son of a slave. Yet he was the most suitable person to lead this contingent. And all the more so, because earlier at the battle of Mawta