Muslims’ faith in the Holy Prophet is accompanied by affection

The memory of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) is one of the most attractive things for all Muslims throughout the world because the issue is one that involves both affection and faith. Thus, compared with other aspects of Islam which are ideological in nature and do not involve emotions, the memory of the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) plays a more important role in Muslim affairs. For this reason, certain great intellectuals of the world of Islam have rightly pointed out that the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and his memory and Muslims’ faith in him can be the pivot of Muslim unity. Fortunately, this year’s commemoration ceremonies have coincided with the official inauguration of “The International Forum for Proximity of Islamic Denominations”. Our brothers made efforts and started this work and by Allah’s favor, the forum will promote the noble goals of Islam

Two fundamental points regarding Muslim unity

Regarding the issue of unity, there are two essential orientations, each of which is important in itself. When we shout slogans of unity, these two essential points should be kept in mind and this will prove useful in the lives of Muslims. One point is the necessity of clearing differences, conflicts, disputes and obstructionism that has existed for centuries among different Islamic groups and denominations. And these problems have always harmed Muslims in the end. If we refer to the history of Islam, we will see that origin of all these problems originate from governments. If you read the history of Islam, you will realize that the almost all of the disputes in different Islamic countries originate from centers of materialistic power, including the initial disputes – namely, the issue of creating different versions of the Holy Quran and other such issues – and the other disputes that happened over time among different Islamic denominations, particularly between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

1. The need to eliminate disputes which have been caused by enemies

Of course, ignorance of the people and different kinds of prejudice – which are not based on a rational foundation – play a role in provoking people against each other, but all of these things only prepare the ground and none of them causes the violent events that have happened in the past. Those great tragedies were caused by centers of power, centers that were trying to take advantage of the disputes among Muslims. When colonialism entered Islamic countries, it became clear that colonial powers were after the same goal, some directly and some others indirectly.
We can learn many lessons from the behavior of certain famous European personalities – both political and cultural personalities. They spoke in one way when they were in Egypt. They spoke in another way when they were in the Ottoman Empire. They spoke in yet another way when they were in Shia Iran. Their goal was to undermine Muslim unity, an element which European colonialists and leaders of industrial civilization were afraid of. And they had every right to be afraid. Finally, they did what they wanted and they created surprisingly deep discord among Muslims.
The kind of unity that we promote in our slogans, the kind of unity that we are committed to, the kind of unity that we are after, the kind of unity that we are working towards – the first requirement for this unity is to make efforts to resolve the existing conflicts, contradictions and disputes. Allah the Exalted will be happy with such efforts, and believers, sincere people, saints and wise people will be satisfied as well. It is necessary to prepare the ground in this regard. Ideological differences of opinion do not matter. Ethnic differences do not matter. Racial differences do not matter. But these differences should not cause discord and conflicts among Muslims. Everybody should work hard in a sincere way. Great religious scholars, intellectuals, writers, poets and artists should consider this work as a divine obligation. “Hold fast by the covenant of Allah all together.” (1 )This holy ayah as well as other ayahs has been addressed to us and to all Muslims who are faced with the enemies of Islam. We need to translate these ayahs into action.

2. Muslim unity at the service of establishing the rule of Islam

The second point is that this unity should be at the service of establishing the rule of Islam and in line with Islamic rule, otherwise it will be hollow and meaningless. If Muslim scholars accept that the Holy Quran says “…and We did not send any messenger but that he should be obeyed by Allah’s permission”( 2) then they should accept that the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) did not come to simply offer advice and speak to the people so that they respect him but continue doing whatever they were doing previously. He came to be obeyed. He came to guide societies and the people. He came to establish an Islamic system and help human beings move towards the true goals of life. If Muslim scholars believe that the Holy Quran says, “Certainly We sent Our messengers with clear arguments, and sent down with them the Book and the balance that men may conduct themselves with equity” (3) then they should accept that administration of justice and fighting injustice among human beings is the goal of divine religions and for this reason, there should be a movement towards establishing the rule of Islam. And it is possible to establish Islamic rule in Muslim countries and societies.

1. Sura Aal-e Imran, Ayah 103

2. Sura an-Nisa, Ayah 64

3. Sura al-Hadid, Ayah 25

Reference:Lessons from the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.) A selection of statements by Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on the personality and be’that of the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.)