The Significance of Holding Fast to the Rope of Allah in Islam
Holding fast to the rope of Allah:
The “holding fast” that is mentioned in the Qur’an is of two types: holding fast to Allah, and holding fast to the rope of Allah.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:103]
“and hold fast to Allah. He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper”
[al-Hajj 22:78]
Ibn ‘Abbaas said: Adhere to the religion of Allah.
Ibn Mas‘ood said: It is the jamaa‘ah (main body of the Muslims). And he said: You should adhere to the jamaa‘ah, for it is the rope of Allah that He has enjoined us to hold fast to. What you may find of things you dislike when you are with the jamaa‘ah is better than what you may find of things you like when you are scattered.
Mujaahid and ‘Ataa’ said: It means adhering to the covenant of Allah. Qataadah, as-Saddi and many of the scholars of tafseer said: It means adhering to the Qur’an.