Anyone who just glances at the news will see that the Muslim world is completely divided. There is war and manslaughter everywhere, Muslims kill each other on a large scale every day. And this while the Koran calls for unity among Muslims. This article focuses on the disagreement within Islam and calls for crossing the boundaries between both parties in order to achieve unity, which is desperately needed both spiritually and socially. Unity within Islam, Ittihad, is a duty for Muslims.
Tensions between Shi’a and Sunni today
Although the tension between Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims is not something new, it is still a worrying thing in today’s world. Instead of looking for similarities between both groups, more and more Muslims seem to choose to emphasize the differences and accuse the other party of being non-Islamic. This tension is perhaps most acute in the Syrian civil war, where developments on this issue are very worrying. Alewites receive support from Hezbollah, which fights against Sunni and other groups, with Muslim youth from all over the world coming to fight ‘jihad’ with the extreme Sunni rebels. Often urged to do this by sheiks and imams in their countries of origin.
Tensions between Shi’a and Sunni in history
The disagreement between Shia and Sunni Muslims dates back to the beginning of Muslim history, with the religion split into both sides due to disagreements over the successorship of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after his death. The biggest difference between the two parties from this moment on is the fact that Shi’ite Muslims believe in an imam. The imam plays a central role in Shi’a Islam. The status of the imam among the Shi’ites is different from the role of the caliph among the Sunnis. The caliph is the political and spiritual head of the Sunni community. However, the Shi’a Imam is not only of political and spiritual significance, he is seen as infallible and free from all sins and his unique position makes it possible for him to intercede between people and Allah.
Unity and the Quran
This division goes against several very clear verses from the Koran, which warn against this disagreement within the community of Muslims, the Ummah. As for example in Sura 3:103: ‘And hold firmly together to the line of Allah and do not become divided’. Or Sura 49:10-11: ‘The believers are a brotherhood. And make peace and reconciliation between two warring brethren, and do your duty towards Allah, that you may be shown mercy.’ Despite these clear orders, a large part of the Muslim community goes against these orders. Various arguments are put forward for this: the other party is not really Islamic, the other party is breaking the rules. It is then conveniently forgotten that the Muslim community is very diverse, Muslims in Africa, in Indonesia and Malaysia, in the Arab world. They all feel like Muslims, but there are big differences between them, including between those who are all Sunni or Shia. The very fact that there are four different schools of law, madhabs, indicates that these differences among Sunni Muslims are a simple fact. The basis of the religion for both Shi’a and Sunni is the same, the basis that ultimately matters: the five pillars of the religion:
- 1 There is only one God: Allah and the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last prophet
- 2 five daily obligatory prayers towards the Kaaba in Mecca
- 3 Ramadan as a fasting month
- 4 The Hajj, which is obligatory for all Muslims
- 5 Giving alms or zakat.
Because Shi’ites also adhere to these rules, they cannot be described as unbelievers or kafir, as is often the case. Allah is one, the Prophet is one, the Quran is one and the Kaaba is one, what prevents us from striving for true unity?
Call for Unity
At a time when Islam is subject to so much criticism from outside, when many people seem to hate Islam, it is not wise to be so divided among themselves. 9/11 and other attacks have caused Islam to be seen in a very negative light and that is why it is extra important to emerge as a unit now. Division leads to weakening. Instead of seeking the unity that can lead to strength. In addition, this division makes it easy to sow even more hatred for outsiders, it facilitates the divide and rule principle for those who dislike Islam. If Sunni Muslims can live with four different madhabs, why can’t they consider Shi’a Islam as a fifth madhab (the Shi’a school of law is called Jafaria)? Unity in diversity, that is what it is all about, to make us strong against the outside world. A positive attitude towards Muslims who think differently, perhaps we can learn something from that party that thinks differently. We must abandon the sectarian thinking that has plagued Islam for centuries and pursue the Islamic principles of unity. Islamic unity is fard (obligatory), according to the Qur’an as well as the hadith and sunnah.