Differences among people do not translate to superiority of one group over another rather these differences must make the basis for unity among people.
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The background of the West Asia and Muslim world, during the past decades, has seen much ups and downs, sectarian clashes and wars sparked by outside players.
Muslim thinkers across the globe, international summits and conferences have made proposals, some of them diplomatic solutions while many of them derived from the holy book of Islam and teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
To discuss these solutions further, we talked to a renowned Muslim scholar from South Africa, Sheikh Shuaib Booley.
He asserted importance of intra-Muslim dialogue, boosting fraternity among different Islamic communities and also organizing joint projects as part of efforts to encourage unity across the world of Islam.
The following is an interview that Taqrib News Agency (TNA) conducted with Sheikh Shuaib Booley.
Answering a question on importance of unity among Muslims, Sheikh Shuaib Booley, stressed necessity of solidarity in view of the holy book of Islam and how it guides people towards achieving that.
Top cleric from South Africa underlined importance of fraternity among Muslims urging them behave towards each other with love, compassion, and most importantly, with respect.
The senior cleric quoted the holy Qur’an, verse 10 of Sura al-Hujurat, saying, “The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren and be careful of (your duty to) Allah that mercy may befall you”.
He also underscored importance of respect for differences among various people stressing that such differences do not translate to superiority of one group over another rather these differences must make the basis for unity among people.
He said,” All Muslims believe in one Supreme Being which means that we are already united in the belief of TAWHID and acceptance of the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). This alone means that all Muslims have a common identity and a common purpose in life.”
The South African scholar highlighted love and reconciliation in the Islamic guidelines and said,” The guidance of the Holy prophet (PBUH) stresses upon love, mercy and reconciliation which guides Muslims to resolve their differences respectfully and peacefully.”
Still in another part of his remarks, Sheikh Shuaib Booley underscored mutual consultation as key in resolving differences and said,” The Holy prophet (PBUH) has presented us with perfect examples and methodologies. He (PBUH) himself had consulted with his companions on many issues. He (PBUH) demonstrated to us the necessity of mutual consultation (shura) to get to the desired results.
He referred to the common religious rites performed by all Muslims across the globe and said that the Islamic nation is not allowed to succumb to petty differences.
“The enemies of this ummah exploit these differences to create hatred among the members of the ummah of Muhammad (PBUH)” warned Sheikh Shuaib Booley and added,” This hatred has caused bloodshed, plunder and the murder of one Muslim against the other Muslim.”
Quoting verses from holy Qur’an, the cleric emphasized open dialogue and forgiveness as two teachings of the prophet of Islam to reconcile differences.
The prominent cleric referred to the viewpoint of the prophet of Islam on establishing brotherhood expressing regret that the Qur’anic teachings on fraternity are repeatedly recited but receive insufficient attention.
He expressed regret over expansion of sectarianism during the past years and blamed individualist tendencies behind that.
According to the cleric, Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stands an example of that over his cooperation with the “Israeli regime and American imperialism”.
He also blamed the social media for spreading lies that fuel hatred and also failure of the Muslim scholars to join each other in a mobilization against problems challenging Islamic ummah.
Concluding his remarks, the South African thinker urged Muslims to concentrate on their commonalities, highlight the Holy Quran and the authentic Sunnah of noble prophet (PBUH) and build brotherhood and unity in such a way that everyone will have a sense of belonging to the one Islamic Ummah.
He also highlighted importance of gaining wisdom from authentic Islamic teachings that will help us to maneuver strategically through all challenges facing the Ummah, particularly those coming from social media and Wahhabi “hogwash”.
It is extremely important that we establish study circles discussing Quranic teachings which are related to Islamic unity.
