Islamic Unity from the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Khamenei

On the occasion of Islamic Unity Week that bridges the two dates of the month of Rabi al-Awwal believed to be the birthday of the Messenger of Mercy, Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), we have prepared a series of special programs for you.

Rabi al-Awwal 12 is considered to be that blessed date by Sunni Muslims on the basis of the narrations of the Prophet’s companions, who had no acquaintance with him before his formal declaration of his universal mission of Islam at the age of 40. Shi’a Muslims, however, attach more importance to accounts of the Prophet’s birth from the Prophet’s family and regard 17th Rabi al-Awwal as the date of birth of the Almighty’s Last and Greatest Messenger.

In 1979, following victory of the Iranian people’s grassroots movement, the Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), initiated the Islamic Unity Week to bridge the short gap between these two dates in order to foster solidarity among Muslims of all denominations.

Day before yesterday we presented to you the first episode titled “Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) in the Mirror of the Holy Qur’an”. Yesterday we presented you the second episode titled: “Prophet Mohammad (SAWA), Role Model for Islamic Unity.”

Today we are presenting you the third episode titled: “Islamic Unity from the Viewpoint of Ayatollah Khamenei”.

Unity is one of the important factors for development and progress of a community or a country. Unity between people and authorities leads the society towards stability and perfection. When unity is one of the main goals, then the atmosphere of the society will be of fraternity, cooperation and coordination. In view of these facts, if unity and convergence of views takes place among Muslim communities, the Ummah will definitely achieve great glory.

According to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, unity among Muslims and avoidance of divisions paves the ground for “solidifying resistance against the bullying powers of the domineering system” through defence of the trampled interests and rights of the Islamic world.”

Unity is one of the main features of Islam for the sake of strengthening the Muslim community. Unity means Muslims will share the fruits of their successes in a fraternal manner. It is something normal to have differing beliefs and different views, but this does not prevent convergence on matters pertaining to the interests of the Islamic Ummah. In the view of Ayatollah Khamenei, Muslims should try to get closer and closer to each other through mutual understanding, put differences aside and unite against the enemies of Islam.

The Muslim World is strategically located at an important point in the world map; a factor that has made the enemies of Islam to undermine their countries and destabilizing them through sowing seeds of divisions to open warfare, especially in the West Asian region which is rich in hydrocarbon resources, and straddles the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. The enemies of the Islamic world have therefore resorted to the tactics of creating divisions among Muslim states and selling them deadly weapons under the pretext of fighting terrorism, but actually to establish their own footholds for domination of the region. This is evident by the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. The Americans intruded into Iraq on the pretext of fighting terrorism, but actually aided the terrorists and seized the countries rich oil reserves.

Ayatollah Khamenei says: "Today, the geographical area of Muslims is one of the most important parts of the world. Their countries are naturally among the wealthiest in the world. This strategic area is rich in hydrocarbon reserves. The 1.7 billion strong Ummah accounts for more than a fifth of the world's population. The Islamic Republic of Iran could well be called the heart and centre of the world of Islam, and this provides a great opportunity for Muslims.”

In the Islamic Republic of Iran, there is no difference between Sunnis and Shi’a Muslims, who peacefully live together. In the view of the Leader of the Revolution this should serve as a good example for other Muslim countries against sectarian discrimination and unnecessary hostility. Shi'a and Sunni, throughout the world should live peacefully with each other. Ayatollah Khamenei says Islamic Unity doesn’t mean that Shi’a or Sunni should give up their beliefs, but it means to live as Muslims under the blessings of the holy Qur’an, through friendly interaction and mutual cooperation in the greater interests of the Ummah for success on the international scene. In such a case, the Muslim world will become powerful.

The Father of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (RA), who initiated the Islamic Unity Week, had said: “For instance, Iran has its own government, Iraq has its own government, and Egypt has its own government, but the important point is that all should live for Islam and under the banner of Islam. All Muslims should be united against non-Muslims. Muslims are brothers of each other.”

On the other hand the lack of unity among Muslims increases problems of the Islamic world and leads to their backwardness. When Muslim governments indulge in divisions and infighting, the concept of brotherhood suffers and results in waste of talents and setback to scientific progress.

Ayatollah Khamenei, referring to ayah 64 of Surah Aal-e Imran in which the Almighty commands Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) to tell the Christians and Jews as “Ahl al-Kitab or People of the Book” to come to a common understanding with Muslims on the concept of monotheism, says if the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, despite their commonalities, quarrel with each other, is this not a betrayal?

According to Ayatollah Khamenei, any negligence regarding the chronic issue of the Zionst-usurped land of Palestine amounts to negligence of the problems facing Muslim countries, and subsequently the loss of prestige and Islamic identity.

He adds: If Muslims were to unite, the status of Palestine will definitely change. Gaza and the West Bank of River Jordan will regain their prestige. Alas, the enemies who want to control the rich natural resources of Muslim lands, have pitted Muslims against each other. For instance, in West Asia, Arabs are fighting Arabs and destroying and killing themselves, to the extent that the armies of Arab states have weakened, much to the advantage of the Zionist enemy. When conflicts spread among the Muslims, spirituality suffers and faith is shaken.

The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, who regards Islamic brotherhood as key to success, advises Muslims to leave aside petty differences, close ranks, and tread the path decreed by God Almighty, since it is of paramount importance to stand against the common enemy, that is, the Zionist entity and its devilish designs.

AS/MG