Islamic unity
Islamic unity is the mutual respect between the Islamic branches and the attempting to achieve common goals by all Muslims. Solidarity and unity of Islamic nation (Ummah) is one of the definite Islamic principles which is persistently in the Quran and Sunnah. Islamic unity appears in some cases like Hajj, Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Mosques and Quds Day.
Symbols of Islamic unity
• Hajj is a religious journey to Mecca that takes place Dhu al-Hijjah, last month of the Islamic calendar. The gathering of Muslims throughout the world in one spot is symbolic of the Islamic unity.[1] Muslims use uniform and perform Tawaf (the circumambulation) around the Kaaba. They identify themselves as a vital unit within the larger and consistent body of the Ummah.[2] • Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for all Islamic people. • Muslims, whether Shia or Sunni, observe two major holidays each year. The first is called Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice held at the conclusion of the Hajj. the second one is Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Fast-Breaking held at the end of Ramadan. These holidays are observed with special communal prayers in the morning hours, feasing, gathering of family and friends, and performance of charitable acts.[3] • The mosque (a place of worship for followers of Islam) represents the symbol of Islamic religious life. In the back wall of a prayer hall there is a Mihrab or niche indicating Qibla for Muslims. The Mihrab is considered the symbol of Islamic unity because it forces all to look toward the Kaaba during the prayer of an Imam.[4]
Opinions about unity
Sunni scholars
• Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltut: In a Fatwa Sheikh Shaltut declared worship according to the doctrine of the Twelve Shia to be valid and recognized the Shiite as an Islamic School.[5] • Muhammad Sayyid Tantawy: "I think that anyone who believes that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger is definitely a Muslim. Therefore, we have been supporting, for a long time, through Al-Azhar, many calls for the reconciliation of Islamic schools of thought. Muslims should work on becoming united, and protecting themselves from denominational sectarian fragmentation. There are no Shiites and no Sunnah. We are all Muslims. Regretfully; the passions and prejudices that some resort to, are the reason behind the fragmentation of the Islamic nation."[6] • Sheikh Mohammed al-Ghazali: "It is the duty of all Muslims to unite against enemies of Islam and their propaganda."[7] • Sheikh Abd al-Majid Salim: In a letter that was sent to Ayatollah Borujerdi by Sheikh Abd al-Majid Salim, he wrote: "The first thing that becomes obligatory to scholars,Shia or Sunni, is removing dissension from the minds of Muslims."[8] • Doctor Vasel Nasr The Grand Mufti of Egypt: «We ask Allah to create unity among Muslims and remove any enmity, disagreement and contention in the ancillaries of Fiqh between them.»[9]
Shiite scholars
• Ayatollah Seyyed Hossein Borujerdi: Ayatollah Borujerdi sent a letter to Sheikh Abd al-Majid Salim, the Grand Mufti of Sunnis and former Chancellor of Al-Azhar University and wrote: «I ask Almighty Allah to change ignorance,separation and distribution among different Islamic Schools to each other, to the actual knowledge and kindness and solidarity.»[10] • Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini: «We are Oneness with Sunni Muslims. We are their brothers.»,«It is obligatory for all Muslims that Maintain unity.» Ayatollah Khomeini said.[11] • Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei: In a Fatwa about creating dissension, Ayatollah Khamenei said: «In Addition to dissension is contrary to the Qur'an and Sunnah,this weakens Muslims.So, creating dissension is forbid (Haram).»[9] • Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani: To answer this question that:«Does anyone say Shahadah, pray and follow one of the Islamic Schools is a Muslim?», Ayatollah Sistani says:«Every one says Shahadah and does not any work unlike that and does not enmity with Ahl al-Bayt,is muslim.»[9]