The entire Muslim Ummah is like a building composed of bricks, each brick supporting the other.
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) implies that the brick underneath is strengthened by the one on top and the one on top is supported by the brick underneath it, like the game Jenga. When all the bricks are supporting each other and placed as they should be, the tower is very strong. However, the more bricks that are taken away, the weaker the tower becomes until certain ones are taken, or so many have been removed that the tower collapses.
In Islam we have been given a clear definition of unity and how it can be realised and implemented into our lives. The uniting basic factor in Islam is our belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His Messengers, The Final Day, everything good and bad is from Allah and life after death. This defines us as Muslims. In the Qur’aan we are encouraged to be united and overlook one an others faults as this creates unity.
This is linked to peacemaking (sulah) which is to have good conduct towards people so that through your help and good characteristics people can benefit. It can also be defined as to forgive and forget the wrongs of others towards you. Is a command of Allah and falls under our rights that we have as Muslims. Similarly, it is forbidden to unnecessarily cause fights between Muslims, and there are consequences for breaking ties to the extent that if a Muslim stops talking to another Muslim for more than 3 days due to a grudge or dislike etc. then their good deeds will not be accepted until the grudge or dislike is forgiven. It is stated in the Hadith that to hurt another Muslim’s feelings is worse than breaking the Ka’bah.
It is mentioned in Hadith that the best peacemaking (sulah) involves family and relatives. You should try your utmost to mend relations between relatives who may have fallen apart. Whatever money is spent on family is counted as Sadaqah (a form of charity).
We should follow the examples of the Prophets and Sahabahs. Hadhrat Nooh made dua for his family that they be saved even though his family had not been kind to him. Hadhrat Abdul-Rahman Bin Awf left everything and migrated for the sake of Allah to Madinah. Him and Hadhrat Sa’ad u Rabee’ were complete strangers but upon meeting Hadhrat Sa’ad immediately said “Oh my brother, my wealth is at your disposal- Do whatever you wish with it…” This is the kind of love, mutual respect and unity that Islam demands of you.