The Path to Uniting the Muslims

Question:
What is the reality of the statement that the Muslims are in a deplorable situation, that they are divided, lagging behind one another, and at odds with each other, while the enemies of Islam are lying in wait for the Muslims? There is no need to stir up trouble and increase the division among Muslims by mentioning doctrinal differences and matters of religious innovation. They say: There is no need to study 'aqidah (creed) now, because there are matters more important than studying 'aqidah, such as uniting the Muslims against their enemies. We hope that you, may Allah protect you, will clarify for us the meaning of 'aqidah according to the methodology of the Salaf, and what is the definition of 'aqidah?

Answer:
The uniting of the Muslims is only upon 'aqidah, not upon division and religious innovations. The uniting of the Muslims is upon the oneness of Allah, obedience to Allah, and following His Sunnah. It is shirk (associating partners with Allah) and religious innovations that divided the people, and it is sins that divided the people. So the path to the people’s unity is that they agree to refer to the Shari'ah of Allah, and to follow what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) brought.
If the Islamic states agree to follow the Shari'ah, to refer to what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) brought, to be upright upon it, and to cooperate in this against the disbelievers, then this is the path to happiness, and this is the path to unity.
The correct 'aqidah is that upon which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions proceeded. It is the oneness of Allah, and faith in Him, in His names and attributes, and being upright upon His religion, carrying out His commands, leaving His prohibitions, referring to His Shari'ah, and discarding what contradicts it. This is the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community, and this is the path of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions, and the path of their followers with excellence.
When people changed, they became divided. When people changed, this one rules by French law, this one rules by the American European law, this one rules by such and such, this one commands this, and this one prohibits that. They differed among themselves, and enmity and hostility arose, and the states became divided into states that ally with such and such, and states that ally with such and such, and everyone fears for their sovereignty, and for such and such, and for such and such. So for this reason, this division occurred, along with what arose of shirk and religious innovations in many Islamic states and many Islamic lands. This is what causes division.
And if Allah guides them all, and they cooperate in righteousness and piety, and in referring to the Shari'ah, and they submit to the truth with which Allah sent His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and they hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together, then by that they will become one nation, their affairs will be set right, and their enemy will fear them. We ask Allah for guidance for all of them, we ask Allah to return them to the right path, and to guide us and them to His straight path.