Today we Muslim live in different world and world order is so different. World leadership in the hands of Non-Muslim whether we like or not. Muslim are divided into many nations and they no longer under one leadership as they were before 1924. So are the challenges and problems Muslims facing today?
by Dr Rifai Sulaiman
(October 08, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) We should see this problem in a comprehensive way in light of modern development in the world and moreover in the light of general philosophy of Islamic law measuring greater interest of Muslim Ummah. It is not all about history of this conflict that we need to know rather modern development of this problem and more precisely about modern implication of it: How do we relate this conflict to modern world, modern political order and global village of our world and How do we relate this problem to the field of Islamic dawa and to Non-Muslims in the world: How does non-Muslims view this conflict and what effect this internal Shia and Sunni Muslim conflict have on Non-Muslims: Much has been written about history and doctrine of Shia groups but we do not need to repeat them here. We should not read this conflict in isolation from contemporary geo-political development of modern world: first of all we should establish that this Shia-Sunni division of International Muslim community is a not a religious denomination among Muslims rather it started with different of opinions on the subject matters of succession to our prophet: started with politics and then religious dimension was later given to this conflict: unfortunately religious dimension overshadows this conflict since its inception. However, it would be wrong to compare this internal division among Muslims with some religious denominations within any other religions: Because Shia and Sunni are identical in many religious matters basically in matters of theology and basic pillars of Islam though there are some major difference prevails in some legal and ritual matters:
It is crafty stratagems and strategies of Devil to create problems and enmity among human beings some time for small and pity reasons: It has been Devil Plan since the time of Adam: Do not we know what Happened to Adam and Eve in Paradise then they were thrown out of Paradise. Devil took a pledge that he will misguide and mislead humanity; It is sad that this enmity and antagonism sometime come through religious shadow: through religious dimensions: Sometime Devil plays his game among Muslims to shatter their devotion and determination in their faith and good action: Devil will be happy to see Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims are fighting each other and at the end he will feel happy that he has completed a part of his promises. There is no doubt that both Sunni and Shia have good intention: Sunni feel that they are defending their faith and they believe that they are defending sanity and merits all companions of Prophet without any discrimination: At the same time, You see some of Shia feel that they are defending the religious authority and position of Ahhul Baith in their defensive activities.( at least some of shia groups think like this though some are far deviated from true Islam). What you see here is that both groups have good intention according to their faith and conviction as they perceive: yet through these good intention devils play his game: We both good Sunni and good Shia with all our devotions and good will become preys to Devil crafty stratagems; Who will be the winner at the end of all these Shia and Sunni conflicts: It is Devils be the winners: How many millions of people have been killed so far since the time of Karbala because of this conflict: Do we ever think about it? Who won in all these Shia and Sunni conflicts since then? Therefore, I urge every one to ponder over before engaging in these polemic arguments: What is the benefit of such arguments? I do not say that we should not study origins and history of these different groups and sects but what I say is that we should do such studies among students and academics: We may study these at colleges and universities and we should not bring this into public arena to make more fitna among innocent Muslims: That is what happening in Iraq, Pakistan and other part of Muslim world: Innocent Muslims are being killed in the name of these conflicts: it is high time for Shia and Sunni Muslims to think about it and stop these unnecessary killings:
Authors such as Mansoor Ilahi has been killed for writing about Shiaism and many Sunni and Shia ulama have been killed in Iraq because of this conflict. Do we need to continue this fighting and how long? Who will be winner at the end of it? I happened to listen to a heated debate between two leading Ulama of Saudi and Iran on this subject: Both of them are top Ulama; it is all about Ahlul Baith and saying be mercy upon Yazeed: most of it was unnecessary historical arguments: When we provide historical interpretation for historical events we can not provide conclusive answers: We could provide different interpretations from different perspectives: Only Allah knows best what happened in those conflict between Ali and Aisha, Muawiya and Hassan and Yazeed: We know historical accounts of these fighting yet it is not beneficial to pass judgment now in our modern world about these conflicts now almost 14 hundred years after these incidents: what is the point arguing about these historical incidents that took place among the companions of prophet: Is it not enough that Allah had blessed all of them with companionship of the prophet? Is it not enough higher merits were given for all of them by Allah for such companionship? And has praised them in many places: Then why should we fight in their names?: It is due to their own personal judgment that some companions engaged in these conflicts: It is up to Allah do to judge them all in the day of judgement about all these conflicts? It is not our role to pass judgment on these conflicts. Many thousands of companions during that time of fitna avoided this conflicts: Even some imams in later period of Islamic history did not dare to talk about these conflicts among the companions: they regarded talking of about these conflicts was not acceptable; How dare we now want to ignite these conflicts today: Moreover these were mere political conflicts not religious conflicts and all of them unanimously agreed on Islamic theological matters and they never had different of opinions on the basic of religion: Therefore, if we begin to argue about these conflicts today it will open the doors for Devil to play his game among us: We all Sunni and Shia should avoid these argument for the sake greater interest of Muslims today:
Shia and Sunni conflict has to be seen from many perspectives: We need to see it from international perspective as well: Muslims are internationally weak today and they are subjected various form of victimizations: They are accused of terrorism, backwardness, and barbarism and list may go more; Entire world is one way or another collaborates to find faults with Muslims. Muslim nations face many more huge challenges and problems all over the Muslim countries: Is it wise that we Sunni and Shia fight each other among us right now and give more opportunities for Non-Muslim countries to make use of our internal fighting: Is it good for the image of Islam and Muslims to fight each other in the name of Shia and Sunni: Are we not clever enough to foresee these international impact of our internal fighting: After all one of our main duties on earth is to represent Islam and be ambassadors of Islam in the world. Do not we think that Shia and Sunni fighting may impede and obstruct many more non Muslims from embracing Islam: Though a lot of Non-Muslim see Islam as one of the most logical and beautiful theology earth, they are reluctant to embrace Islam because of these type of fighting: How many millions of people might have embraced Islam if we shia and Sunni have shown them peaceful side of Islam in practical level: Non-Muslim will simply say that look at these Muslims. They are fighting in the name of their religions for dogmatic reasons. Only a few numbers of people will read about Islam to know about it but most of people will observe Muslim people’s way of life to know about them ant their religion: We Sunni and Shia rather than being ambassadors of Islam we are fighting among our self. This is a bad representation for Islam and Muslims.
Moreover, Shia and Sunni conflict has to be seen in relation to Middle East conflict with Israel. You see what is happening in the Middle East: The third most sacred mosques of Muslims is encircled by Jews: Thousands of Palestine Muslims are being killed each year and entire region is in a volatile situation; Is it wise that We Muslims fight in name of Shia and Sunni ideology and give open door opportunities for Zionists? Is it wise we give them upper hand by our internal fighting between Shia and Sunni? That is what Zionists love to see: It is sad to note here that in recent times according to some news reports that Saudi Government generally agreed to give its Air Space to Israel in case Israel wants attack Nuclear plants of Iran: Whether Saudi will give its space or not such report is an alarming news. If it is true a news item this may implies volatile Saudi and Iran relationship: Since Iran revolution Saudi has been worrying about Iran influence in the middle East and this concerns may have increased now after fall of Iraq and Shia influence dramatically increased in the middle east ever before: what is more dangerous is that Shia influence is not mere political influence rather it is intertwined with ideological influence: Shia are keen in their missionary works as well wherever they go: Recently Sheikh Qaradawi openly warned Muslims about Shia Missionary works in Sunni predominantly Sunni Regions: This danger is more obvious with Shia because they hide their crafty doctrine of Thaqiyyah in their dealing with Sunni. This is one more problematic issue in dealing with Shia: That is why it is difficult to resolve Shia and Sunni conflict every easily: yet, in the light of the general principle of Islamic law of priority and equivalent we need to see shia and Sunni conflict from a new perspective and both Sunni and Shia should sit down openly and honestly discuss these conflicts and revolve them in our modern world: otherwise, these conflicts could have a far reaching consequences in future generations; People with Salafi thought should have more compressive understanding on these issue to encounter Shia propaganda machine. Shia scholars also should read these modern developments in our modern world before they try to indoctrinate with their shia ideologies in the mind of Sunni communities: there are many areas of mistrust and misunderstanding still prevail between these two groups but it is duty of scholars from these two groups to sit and discus these issues and come to term with them rather than letting public fighting in the name of Sunni and Shia:
Today we Muslim live in different world and world order is so different. World leadership in the hands of Non-Muslim whether we like or not. Muslim are divided into many nations and they no longer under one leadership as they were before 1924. So are the challenges and problems Muslims facing today? Under these different social circumstances creating internal conflict between Sunni and Shia will be most foolish thing to do. Even different ideological and religious people are living in peace in the world today: I do not know why we Sunni Muslims can not live with shia in peace. There are many things in common with Shia and Sunni: Indeed, Some sect like Zaidiaya are very much closer to Sunni: but unfortunately, history of Shia and Sunni relationship has not been a good one: In the past and recent years many massacres have been taken place between these two major Muslim divisions. It is most stupid thing to create any problem between these two groups: Jews and Enemies of Islam will be laughing at of these groups are engaged in fighting each others: That is what some wants in Iraq and In the middle East: that is what happened in Iraq and Iran wars and Who will gain at these wars if these fighting continue: Western weapon industries will love to see these type of wars: This does not mean that we should agree with all what Shia says: They have indeed, major mistakes and grave unfounded accusations about many issues of Islam: specially with references to some Sahabas: They do have some dogmatic mistakes that we Sunni can not agree with them: they too have missionary agendas and we should take precaution about it:
Did we ever had shia in Srilanka? However, today we have at least hundred of Shia people in Srilanka. They are not indigenous shia people of Iran rather they brainwashed by Iranian propaganda agents in Srilanka: hundred of students have been given scholarship to continues their studies in Iran: Even Shia madarasa is established in Eastern Province of Srilanka: Since in Iran revolution Shia missionary has increased dramatically among Sunni; there is a cold war between these two groups in the middle East: Any times Iraq could burst into communal violence between these two groups. What is wrong if some one condemn wrong side of Shia? Shia accusation of first three Caliphs and other companions are unfounded and baseless fabrications of Historical facts: Why should we engage in blaming tactics: That is Shia way of missionary in Muslim world. Do we Sunni say any thing badly about ahlul Baith? It is part of our faith to treat all as same. We do not differentiate between any companions of prophet. If Shia are penetrating Muslim villages in Srilanka, it means that we Sunni have not done our home works: we did not engaged in Islamic works and we have failed to teach Islam rightly to our younger generations. Sunni are fighting among themselves for small issues: Issues such as optional matters are given preference over obligations and Sunni are divided in many groups: Thabligh, tawheed, Salafi, Khalafi, Sufii, jamath, DA, and how many more groups: These groups do not have common ground to works together and some of them do not like see each other and express open resentments. Even some of so called highly Educated groups are fighting each other and do not want to work together. Shia groups well aware all these weakness among Sunni groups and utilise these opportunities to catch the fish in trouble water:
Do not forget that compared to other countries in the Middle East, people of Iran are highly literate with good IQ levels. Though they are Shia in sect they use their higher intelligence in their missionary works with sense of dedication. but what we see in the Sunni world is opposite to this: Most of people in Sunni world are undedicated and fragmented and lacks sense of Islamic missionary works in dawa: politically oppressed: what is more is that Shia ideologies are supported by Iran ruling elites and government: that is why they spend a lot of money and wealth to spread their message: Though Saudi groups recently did try to counter shia propaganda machines Saudi groups are far behind in organisation, methods and methodology: Moreover, Saudi groups are more keen to expel other Sunni groups out of their dogmatist circles rather than working with other groups in common grounds. If you do not agree with dogmatic interpretation you are out? What can we say about this mess of Islamic groups: Islamic movements that began with Sheikh Afghani, Abduh, Rasheed Rida and by others to unite and support Islamic Ummah: In the name of Same Islamic Islamic movements Muslim Ummah is fragmented and divided: whither Islamic Movements in today's world? It is interesting to see that even among so called Salafi movements now we have many groups for simple pity reasons: Groups are mushrooming among Sunni Muslims then how do we encounter challengers of shia missionary which is well organised and highly skilled: Is not it high time that we think about this mess in among Islamic groups?
Shia are minority group in Islamic world: they constitutes only 10-15% percentage of Muslims in the world: They do have majority in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Bahrain: They are some minority shia in Saudi, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and some other countries: They have been living as a minority since the time of companions and it be may because majority of companions did not support them since earliest time: Shia are not doubt a deviated group from original Islam: yet it is no point we are ageing about what happened in the past rather thinking to bring them back under banner pure Islamic way of life: We could tolerance Non-Muslim and if we could live with Non- Muslim why can not live and tolerate Shia Muslim after all they do believe as we believe and they do practise most of Islam as we do: but we Sunni lack mechanism, enthusiasm and wisdom to do dawa work among Shia communities as we do sometimes among Non-Muslims: Moreover, Shia brothers have been showing interest among Sunni communities to indoctrinate their doctrines rather than conveying message of Islam to Non-Muslims.
Until recently Shia have been marginalised in the Middle East countries and their main sacred places of shrines in Iraq have been under control of Sadam Hussein: Americans though have been hostile enemy of Iranian Regime they have done a big favour for Shia in Iraq by opening up Iraq for Shia control: Iran is influencing Middle Eastern region now than ever before. With its Nuclear weapon programmes it gives more warning signals for the rest of Sunni countries in the region. More importantly Israel and Saudi are equally worried about Iran Nuclear programmes: Saudi is not worried about Iran’s imminent attack on its sail rather it is more worried about the spread of Shia ideologies across the Middle East and Saudi’s counter strategies are no longer equivalent to Iranian strategies in organization and planning. How long Saudi can depend on Americans for its security and defence? Is it not wise for Saudi Ulama to slow down their anti-shia slogans and work with Iranian with greater interest of Middle East and Muslims: Is it not wise for them to read geo-political influence of Iran in the Region and work with Iran to reduce the tension between Shia and Sunni in the region? However such reconciliation may be difficult task until Saudi and Iranian Scholars think wisely in greater interest of Muslim community beyond their rigid interpretation of historical documents:
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