The Ummah is the body of believers in
Islam. It trancends all nationalities and ethnicities and is the concept that makes brothers and sisters of Muslims be they Iowa farmboys or
cobblers in downtown
Tehran. Similar in concept, but broader in scope than the common definition of the
church in
Christianity, the Ummah trancends neighborhoods. One does not say that one is a member of "my ummah" and another Muslim is a member of such-and-such ummah, for example. All who believe in God and the Last Day and
bear witness that he is the only god and Muhammad (
SAW) is his messenger are members of the ummah. The health and well-being of the Ummah is a concern for all who are
Muslim.
Hamza Yusuf said that he feels that ummah really means civilization.