Let’s Deliberate Before It Is Too Late
Soon after Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (Pbuh) left the worldly existence, there was split in Ummah that led
to emergence of three major sects: Sunni, Shia and Kharijites. Sunni the
largest denomination of Islam ,known as Ahl as-Sunnah
wa’l-Jamā‘h or simply as Ahl as-Sunnah believe Muhammad (Pbuh)
did not clearly designate a successor and the Muslim community acted according
to his Sunnah in electing his close friend and a father-in-law, as the
first Caliph (Head of
State) of Islam. Sunni Muslims regard the first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar Ibni Khitaab, Usman Ibni Afaan
and Ali Ibni Abi Talib) as "al-Khulafau-ur-Raashidun" or "The
Rightly Guided Caliphs." Ahl as-Sunnah further includes four sub-sects,
Hanafi, Shaafi, Maliki and Hanbali differing on the basis of principles of jurisprudence
and finer judgments. Another sect Shia,
in addition to believing in the authority of the Quran and
teachings of Muhammad (pbuh) believe
that Muhammad's (pbuh) family,
the Ahle-byaih, including his
descendants known as Imams, have special spiritual and political authority
over the community and believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's (pbuh) cousin and son-in-law, was the
first of these Imams and rightful successor to Muhammad (pbuh) .They thus reject the legitimacy
of the first three caliphs. Whereas, Kharijite
is a general term embracing a variety of Muslim sects which, while originally
supporting the Caliphate of Ali, later on fought against him and eventually
succeeded in his martyrdom in the mosque of Kufa. Kharijites have almost been disdained. Though at present there are only few remaining
Kharijite or Kharijite-related groups, they maintain most of the beliefs of the
original Kharijites but have relinquished the more aggressive methods. After
this split, another sect namely Ahle-Hadith emerged as a movement
of hadith scholars between 2nd- - 3rd century who considered the Quran and authentic
hadith to be the only authority in matters of law and creed and in recent times
is championed as salafi movement and is now considered as brain child of Wahhabi Movement.
All these sects have same opinion as far as the
fundamentals of Islam are concerned. All
sects have full faith in five pillars of Islam but there is lack of unanimity on
other beliefs. For instance Sunni reverence all four companions of Prophet
(saw) but Shia believe, God chose Ali (R.a) to be Muhammad's successor,
infallible, the first caliph of Islam and negate the stature of other
three caliphs. Similarly, Salafis consider celebration of Birthday of Muhammad
(pbuh), innovation while as both Shia and Sunni consider it Mustahab. Salafis believe visiting and establishing
shrines is example of polytheism, whereas Shia and Sunni treat it as mode of
gaining spiritual blessings etc. However it is important to note here, each
sect has its own answer to questions of difference. Each sect has evidences to
prove its ideological point of view thus conflict between them has always been
discernable .While dispute between these sects –especially between Shia-Sunni
was often violent in the past however, there was shift in their approach .They
had started recognizing one another as legal rather than sources of error or
heresy in contrast to one another and exercised much restraint to preserve the intrafaith
harmony. There had been change in the belief of people at helm who stressed
much upon unity, ignoring the differences. But with the ingression of volatile
brains into the arena of oratory, all developments proved otiose .The gulf in
between is widening with every passing day. Most of them now engage in
questioning each other’s faith, accusing each other of Shirk (polytheism) and launching tirade against each other from
pulpits is now a norm .Every preacher wants to project himself and his ideology
only the truest. Some indulge into blame games calling each other as ‘agent’
and accuse one another of receiving funds. If anyone tries to return to the principles
of oration he is compelled by other’s spewed venom to distract. Even common
masses consider the sermon incomplete, if fatwa is not issued against other
sect. For them, the orator, who describe others as pagans, deviants and
innovators is intellectual and is accoladed with titles like, Sher (lion), Gazi
(Conqueror), Shaykh (wise), Qateye’shrik (iconoclast), Manazir (Debater) and so
on. Amidst of this, what is happening to image of our religion, what damage it
does to our integrity, what impression it lays on the minds of other
communities at global level, what message it sends to non-Muslims who are so
far been inspired with teachings of Islam, is often depreciated, as their
concern is not to present true picture of religion but publicize their
personality and foster their religious thought.
Sadly, these
controversies are turning uglier .Criticism is not restricted to utterances but
counter-ideologues are attacked and heckled too .Since last decade many
preachers have been targeted aimed to silent them .Although it could have been
conspiracy to drive a wedge between the two ideologies but these approaches
have been seen through the prism of sectarianism. The attack of such instance that
was witnessed was on Molana Mushtaq Ah Khan ,followed by attack on Molana
Dawoodi (Kashmir based Sunni Scholars) in 2004 and 2006 respectively .The
former survived after receiving half-dozen bullets and later after grenade was
lobbed at his congregation. In recent past veteran religious and social worker
Molana Jalaludin Bangroo escaped the death after he was fired upon. There has
been increase in incident of heckling as well, and are happening routinely now.
Months back Salafi scholar namely Mushtaq Ah Veeri was also manhandled by group
of people and now, there are reports two more young faces of Sunni school of
thought were heckled by people of other faith recently, which is no ways ignorable.
Incidents of this sort are alarming and can lead us to position from where we
cannot withstand. We all know, unity and harmony is all what we need at the
moment but that cannot be maintained by acrimony and by waging war against each
other .This can only elevate detest among us, deepen the crack and make us
vulnerable to enemies. They want us to see carved up, abject and hapless and our
internal bitterness is serving them best. Remember unity is strength, it leads
to victory .Unity is power, division render you powerless and in current
scenario we cannot expect existence after division. Forces are determined to
harm us and the only way to counter is to unite. Either we need to follow the
thought ‘Stand firm on your ideology and don’t meddle into others’ or we need
to resolve disputes through Quran and Sunnah .Moreover ,using intellect and
knowledge is attribute of human while believing in ferocity is beastliness and
would lead to annihilation of Ummah . Let’s deliberate before it is too late.
Zeeshan Rasool Khan (Writer works in Education
Department).
Mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com
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