|
Definition of Islamic Unity
By: The Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Hazrat Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei
It has been the objective and goal of all societies and communities, whether at individual or collective level, to achieve success and prosperity and in order to achieve this target, they have designed the plan of action. The correct way and behavior, particularly its selection among the collective atmosphere, to reach the goal and to achieve the success, are among all such issues, which can’t be obtained without complete awareness and alertness. For a collective move to present a plan of action in view of its complicacy, it highlights the need for the deep outlook about the relevant issues and a comprehensive view about it and also well understanding of correct views and principles with regard to social relations.
The Islamic Ummah too as a society is forced to take steps carefully to tread the path of its collective move and to achieve success, the course of action, collective laws and peculiarities of which have been described in Islamic teachings and laws. Besides, the need for deep and serious study of religious teachings for the correct derivation of these peculiarities and their conformity with the campaign and movement of contemporary Islamic society, there is inevitable need of being aware about the requirements and issues of Islamic Ummah and the possible threats and challenges facing them, weighing of their capability and worthiness and awareness about opportunities.
In the meanwhile the other personalities of Islamic Ummah like Imam Khomeini (R.A.) and Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei, have taken steps to guide the divine society with their full awareness about Islamic teachings and peculiarities about Islamic society towards the right direction. They have taken steps to resolve the challenges and threats of Islamic society with their full awareness and insight.
The issue of discord and division among Muslims is a great threat in the way of movement of Islamic society. It is because of this, Imam Khomeini (R.A.) used to criticize the discord and division, while referring to the need of unity among Muslims on different occasions. He used to say: “It is our duty that in whatever dress we may be, or what post and position we are holding, we should always, while keeping away from discord and disunity, think about Islamic unity, about which Quran and Sunnah has emphasized. We should elevate the truth and try to degrade the falsehood”. The Grand Ayatullah, Sayyid Ali Khamenei also, while declaring discordances the root cause of disease for Islamic society, has always repeatedly insisted upon the need of unity among Muslims.
Under this collection, we shall try to highlight the need of Islamic unity and the possible threats over the structure of Islamic society due to disunity. Hope that the statements and sayings of his Excellency would serve as a torch of guidance for the followers of dear Islam.
At the every outset, it is necessary to explain the meaning of unity so that it would become clear that what is the goal of recommendations and admonitions of the religious personalities about this important issue. The grand Ayatullah, Hazrat Sayyid Ali Khamenei has elucidated the reality of unity and the attributes and obligations of expectations of Muslims about it in his lectures on different occasions. In his opinion, the need of unity and coherence between different Islamic sects in view of common challenges and in view of defense of Islam against common enemy are enumerated as different aspects of Islamic unity.
The Meaning of Islamic Unity
The Islamic unity doesn’t mean that different sects have to keep away from their theological and jurisprudential doctrines. Instead, the unity among Muslims means that the presence of both of them is essential. Firstly, the different sects (Shia and Sunni), who have their own jurisprudential and theological sects existing, have to be united and should help and assist each other in order to confront the enemies of Islam.
The second thing is that the different sects of Muslims should themselves try to come close to each other. They should bring the unanimity, harmony, and compatibility into existence. There are so many jurisprudential laws (fatwa)existing that if scholarly approach is adopted in its deliberations, it is possible that after slight changes, both the sects can come close to each other.
The Islamic Unity is not Denial of Religions
The Grand Ayatullah, Hazrat Sayyid Ali Khamenei while referring towards this important aspect that the unity among different groups of Muslims doesn’t mean the denial of their belief and faith, but for the achievement of required Islamic unity it is important that all these groups while retaining their identity, should provide the hand of friendship and cooperation to each other.
All the Islamic sects whether Shia or Sunni or different sects of Sunni should take a serious note of the subject of Islamic unity and understand it well. The significance and meaning of Islamic unity is also clear. It doesn’t mean that other sects should intermingle with any other sect. Some people deny other sects for achieving unity. The denial of sects is in no way a solution to the problem; instead the conformity of the religions is key to the obscure. All these sects may perform their duties at their own places but they should bring harmony in their relations.
I have been well observing the hands of these ill designers particularly during recent years, who started their attacks after the success of Islamic revolution, but due to strong stance of Islamic revolution and its dynamic leader, Imam Khomeini, their assaults proved to be unsuccessful. However, in connection with spreading of differences and tension among different circles of Islamic sects their designs and attempts have turned the situation terrible.
The enemies have all along been opposite to the unity of Muslims. The history too is a witness for all this. But today when the victorious flag of Islam stands furling, these enemies are more frightened with Islam than before.
Unity Means to Focus on Common Aspect
The possibility of unity with all its peculiarities is possible only when attention is focused towards myriad of common points found among various sects of Muslims and the meaning of unity too is nothing except to focus over these common points.
When we call anyone towards unity, it doesn’t mean that one who belongs to Shia or Sunni has to pay a goodbye to the beliefs of his own sect and forcibly has to join a third sect or create a tendency towards the belief of the addressee. Instead it is such a thing that besides there is a need of study and research, it is a divine obligation between him and the Almighty and this is not our point of discussion. However, we mean that we want to tell all Shia and Sunni Muslims and want to reiterate them that there is one common aspect and one aspect of difference found among you. In some things you are partners, you do think and act on the same lines, and in some things, that sect acts according to his own style.
The important thing is that the common aspects are more than that of points of difference i.e., all the Muslims do believe in One God, one Ka’ba, one Seal of the Prophets (S.A.W), and equally believe in practical laws of prayers, fasting, zakat, Hajj etc. We don’t’ mean that the learned personalities of Sunni should become Shias and Shias become Sunni and pay goodbye to their own belief.
However, if a Sunni Muslim or any other person has made a study and research, and whatever his belief would be, he may act according to his own research and belief, then it is a matter between him and his God. On the occasion of Unity Week with regard to message of unity, we mean that Muslims should unite with each other and may not have enmity with each other. Our target and centre should be the book of Allah, the traditions of Noble Prophet and Islamic Shari'ah. All such things are not bad instead every realistic and moderate person who is impartial would accept it.
The Global Islamic Unity Means to Shun the Differences
The occurrence of Islamic unity with all common points is only possible when the contradictory issues amongst Muslims may not evolve the style and manner of any hostility and enmity among Muslims. Even the analysis and exchange of thoughts over differential issues should take place in a friendly and brotherly environment and also within the purview of common factors the review of differential issues should be made in the environment of unity and harmony.
By Islamic unity we don’t mean to unify the beliefs of Islamic religions. Every sect and religion has its own separate jurisprudential, rational and doctrinal status and position, which is special and safeguarded. It has its scientific, jurisprudential and rational status and position and the difference of doctrines and jurisprudence and rationale cannot be effective over the real lives of the people. By the global Islamic unity we mean shunning off the differences.
 æóáÇ ÊóäóÇÒóÚõæõÇ ÝóÊóÝúÔúáõæÇ 
“Do not quarrel with each other lest you fail or lose honour” 8:46
There should be no confrontation and no conflict within Muslims.
The holy Quran says:
æóÇÚúÊóöãõæÇ ÈöÍóÈúáö ÇááøٰÀö ÌóãöیúÚÇð æøóáÇ ÊóÝóÑøóÞõæÇ
“And hold fast to the Rope of God all together, and do not be divided among yourselves”. 3:103
Holding fast the Rope of Allah or covenant of Allah is incumbent upon all Muslims, but Quran never contends upon it only, it simply doesn’t orders us only to holdfast the covenant of God, instead asks us to holdfast it together or collectively. All of us have to perform this mission of unity and this collectiveness and unity is an obligation. Therefore, all the Muslims have altogether holdfast the covenant of God. We should perform this mission of holding fast in a right and correct way. The noble Quran says:
Ýóãóäú یøó˜úÝõÑú ÈöÇáØøóÇúÛõæÊö æóیõÄãöäú ÈöÇááøٰÀö ÝóÞóÏö ÇÓúÊóãúÓó˜ó ÈöÇáúÚõÑæóۃö ÇáúæõËúÞóیٰ
“So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing”. 2: 256
This holy verse makes us to understand the meaning of ‘holding fast of the covenant of Allah’ (Hablillah). What is the meaning of holding fast the covenant of God? This goal can be achieved through belief in Allah and rejection of taghout. In different aspects of Ummah the existence of belief in Allah is found there, but the rejection of taghout is missing there, while as the rejection of taghout is necessary. Without rejection of taghout, ‘the firmest handle’ i.e. holding fast and union with God is not possible. We don’t call other countries and governments for war against America; we invite and recommend that they should not submit before America. We call for not to cooperate and coordinate with the enemies of Islam and Muslims. One among this call is that Muslims should not give any heed to their whisperings about Islamic unity and make the Ummah safe and secure by their unity.
In our opinion the most important issue of the Islamic world today is the issue of unity. If this unity would come into existence, we can achieve the scientific as well as political development.
Islamic Unity i.e., No Sectarian prejudicial Incitement amongst Muslims
The most important thing about which I would like to emphasize is ‘Islamic Unity’, about which, we have said that Islamic unity, i.e., there should be no incitement of sectarian prejudice. It means that you should not do such a thing that may evoke emotions of non-Shia Muslims against you. Others also have not to do the same against you that your sentiments would incite against them. The enemy wants this thing to happen. If Egyptian, Jordanian, Iraqi, Pakistani, Indian and Turkish Muslims would come out on the roads and may raise their slogans in the interests of Islamic republic, would it be in the interests of America, or there should be something that if Islamic Republic of Iran would raise such a voice that all these nations would remain silent and even some of them would express their opposition against it, it is obvious the enemy would support it. How all this is done? How this thing would be possible? It is very easy. They will do such a thing that my rouse and provoke the Shia and Sunni sentiments. They would make them understand that the Shia are the people who speak ill about the companions and are disrespecting your noble and gracious personalities. In this way they would try to create distance and detachment between them. They want all such things to happen. When these things have come into existence, the promoters of Shia Sunni unity were well aware about it, but why some people don’t understand? Our respected Imam (Khomeini), who was a great promoter of unity among Muslims and he was a great devotee of Infallible Imams (A.S) than others. Then why do you think high about those persons who talk non-sense about Wilayat. Therefore, you need to care more about the safety and security of unity.
If you observe that in your society someone acts against it, you should desert him and raise objection against him. These people cause loss and harm. These people bring harm to Shias and Islamic society. This is one among the important issues.
To say that initially neither there were Shia nor Sunnis - a wrong theory
Hazrat Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei (may Allah shower His grace upon him) while further elaborating the depth and detail of the unity, declares the existence of differences a reality and deep rooted element, advises that the subject of unity is to be viewed in a realistic approach. In the Islamic world the unity should not be considered as a denial of the views and thoughts of other religions, instead besides having a deep look over different situations, it is important that the slogan of unity and coherence is to be raised. However, some people make an error about it. When they speak about it they take it casually.
When they speak about Islamic unity they say that in the advent of Islam, neither there were Shia nor Sunnis, therefore it is useless to speak about Shia and Sunnis! No, it is not so. It is totally wrong and incorrect. The debate is not about existence of Shia and Sunnis during the advent of Islam. In short after the Noble Prophet (S.A.W) there was difference of opinion. Some people expressed their opinion about leadership (Imamate) and some people had different opinion about it. Some people opined the sources of divine decrees from one point of view and some people had some different opinion. Therefore, the difference of opinion about fundamentals and relative issues occurred among Muslims from the very beginning. If we would say that in the beginning neither there were Shia nor Sunnis, it is wrong. If such a thing is said today, in fact it would be equivalent to nullifying and annihilating the sources and jurisprudence and cultural culminations of all Islamic sects. Pointing towards a thing and to commit that it never existed at the advent of Islam, is wrong. This thing itself has a resemblance with a kind of plot.
We don’t say all these things. We mean to say that the issue of Shia and Sunni does exist. One of these sects that practices Islamic jurisprudence through the Household of the Prophet (S.A.W) is called Shia and the sect that follows practical laws other than Ahlulbayt (A.S) are called Ahlul Sunnah brethren. However, these people too accept the Households (A.S), but they don’t think the Household of the Prophet (S.A.W) the last grip of the chain, as we believe; instead they declare them the narrators who possibly might have quoted any narration from the Noble Prophet (S.A.W) and may declare it as the standard. While as it is not our belief. We believe that the sayings of the Household of the Prophet (S.A.W) as that of God and the Noble Prophet have ordered. We consider them infallible. Now, everyone has its own standard and merit. We think that these two things which have come into existence from the first Islamic era and after the demise of Noble Prophet (S.A.W) and exist up till now, should live according to their own standard and may not have an enmity with each other.
|
