My Interview with the Iranian-English TV station Press-TV Can Sunnis and Shiis Co-exist in peace in the West? Due to the extremely sensitive nature of this topic, and the fact that (as expected) the Madkhali Salafis have cut and pasted their own mis-informed version of this lecture to slander me (and I fully expect Allah to expose them in this world and to bless me with their good deeds in the next), it is necessary to make the following disclaimers: 1) I am a Sunni, and firmly believe that all of the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) are righteous people. Anyone who slanders them insults the Messenger (SAW) himself. 2) I believe Shiites have incorrect beliefs and a misguided theology regarding, inter alia, their Imams, the role of Ali b. Abi Talib, and the status of the Companions. I pray that Allah guides them to the truth. 3) I have never once called for unification with Shiites. Anyone who says otherwise is a liar (and the Quran tells us what Allahs verdict is on liars). I believe it is healthy for Shiites to have their own masjid, and for Sunnis to have their own masjid (as I clearly state in the interview!). This is the way that it has been historically, and this is the way it should remain, unless extenuating circumstances dictate otherwise. 4) I also believe that Sunnis and Shiites should debate and dialogue amongst themselves, and that it is necessary and healthy for such dialogue to take place, in the appropriate manner in front of the appropriate people. Clearly, only one of these theologies can be right, and it is important for a Muslim to know the truth in these matters. 5) It is unhealthy, and un-Islamic, for the Sunni and Shiite masses to be fed stereotypes of the other, and be made to hate and loathe each other. Scholars and clerics on both sides should not encourage blind hatred, nor should they foment rage against the other group. This WILL lead to violence and communal strife - matters that our religion does not approve of. Sadly, this feeding of stereotypes is a reality on both sides. 6) It is haram to kill a person of an opposing theology or faith, or bomb their places of worship, merely because they have a differing faith or ideology. Anyone who does this is a murderer, plain and simple. 7) These principles are the general rule. However, at times and places, political matters happen that DO cause Sunnis and Shiites to fight one another (such as in modern Syria). Where this happens, we need to historically and politically contextualize what is happening in that particular region, and not extrapolate to the entire world. Anyone, of ANY faith, will fight back and defend when he is attacked. Currently, in Syria, Sunnis are being killed and massacred by the Alawites, and they will and should fight back. But it is dangerous and un-Islamic to extrapolate the Syrian conflict and call for a global war against Shiites. And Allah knows best.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 06:39:44 +0000
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