| On why it is impossible to have
unity and understanding between Sunnis and Shias, Sheikh M. al-Khatib gave the
following eight reasons: Shias have a different
Qur'an from that of the Sunnis. The sources
relied upon by Shias in understanding Prophet's Traditions (ahadith) are not the
same as those of the Sunnis. Shias do not
respect the Companions of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.w.; on the contrary they in fact
insult and curse them! Shias believe in taqiyya,
by which they appear to Sunnis "contrary to what they conceal". Therefore
one is not in a position to know the truth about them. .
Shias do not recognize the first three Caliphs accepted by Sunnis. They only recognize
their twelve Imams. On the Uniqueness and Omniscience
of Allah, and on whether He can be seen or not, Shias believe differently from
the Sunnis. Shias' principles of religion and
jurisprudence are different from Sunnis'. Contrary
to the Sunnis, Shias believe in raj'ah - which means that, while approaching the
end of this world, the Mahdi (a.s.) will come and "slaughter all his political
opponents" and will consequently restore to the Shias all their rights which
were denied them previously by the followers of other sects (madhaahib).
The
above were the reasons which prompted Sheikh M. al-Khatib to write his book. His
objective was to warn the Sunnis of the impending danger of answering to any call
meant to bring about unity and understanding between them and their Shia brothers
and sisters. One could safely conclude that his followers too were driven by the
same reasons to have his book translated into Kiswahili and English. Apart
from the main points mentioned above, there are other less serious accusations
which were repeated here and there in his book. It is my intention, inshaa Allah,
to deal with them as well in the best of my ability. In
replying to these arguments, I shall try to show that: Some
of Sheikh M. al-Khatib's statements go against the very tenets of Shiism; Whatever
religious belief the Shias hold is based on the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet
Muhammad s.a.w.w.; Almost all of Sheikh M. al-Khatib's
accusations against the Shias could also be made against the Sunnis, based on
what is contained in the books relied upon by the latter; and therefore. The
differences between Sunnis and Shias are not that great as to prevent unity and
understanding between the two.
And Allah is
the One to be asked for assistance. O Allah! May You
show us the Truth so that we recognize it to be so, and help us to abide by it.
And may You show us the untruth so that we recognize it to be so, and help us
to avoid it.
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