Unifying school of Imam Sadeq (AS) in a time of division

During the leadership of Imam Sadeq (AS), sixth Shia Imam, corruption and deviation was deeply rooted in different arenas and the values of dark ages were reviving, western methods for interpretation had infiltrated understanding of holy Qur’an bringing changes to the principles of Islam paving the way for increasing number of movements far away from the holy religion of Islam.

Imam Sadeq (AS) thought superstitious ideologies which bring the most damage to Islam are born only due to distancing of Muslims from high teachings of Islam; therefore, called on Muslims to the true teachings of Islam, lifestyle of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and proximity among Islamic denominations.

Therefore, in a time of cultural conflicts, the lifestyle of Ahlul Bayt (AS), household of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which is derived from true Islam and lifestyle of the prophet of Islam, should be thoroughly explained to people.

To follow Ahlul Bayt (AS) should not be confined to elegies of their lives rather to practice their guidelines. Among the unifying recommendations by Imam Sadeq (AS) is “Revive us” explaining,” That translates to learning our teachings and teach them to others because if people know about our teachings then they will follow our school.

Imam Sadeq (AS), in a bid to strengthen brotherhood, affection and materialize unity, called his followers to attend Friday prayers and urged for the best behavior with the Sunni community, to attend their congregational prayers, attend their funeral, visit their patients and fulfill their rights.

The sixth Shia Imam also recommended Shia Muslims to behave properly so that their proper behavior reminds people of the Shia followers of Imam Sadeq (AS).

Imam Sadeq (AS) have always warned of prejudice as one of the major reasons for disagreements among Muslims since that will prevent solidarity of Muslims based on their commonalities.

In a nutshell, Imam Sadeq (AS) behaved different religious groups, including the Sunni community, respectfully, attended their debates and respectfully answered their questions.

A hadith by Imam Sadeq (AS) runs,” Pray with them since he who joins the first line of their congregational prayer is like a fighter combatting in way of Almighty God”; therefore, it is understood that the reason behind tolerance with the Sunni Muslims and recommendations like that are preventive measures against loss of something but a beneficial move in line with unity among Muslims. This is a recommendation in line with proving the good will of Shia Muslims so that the community turns popular for their proper behavior away from prejudice and hostility.

The hadiths and lifestyle of Imam Sadeq (AS), shows that the sixth Shia Imam was quite sensitive to Sunni ideologies avoiding any provocative move against them warning of hostility towards the Sunni community, “Leave any religious-based hostility.”

The recommendations by Ahlul Bayt (AS), especially those by Imam Sadeq (AS) proves to Muslims how a nation with different outlooks and different schools can build a unified nation and endeavor in line with a common objective, though different in methodology.

Therefore, it is a mission upon Muslims to stress the very important point in all conventions and Islamic Unity Conferences that Shia is not in pursuit of pushing other denominations to conversion or leaving their beliefs but the final pursuit is to making the best of commonalities and beliefs like monotheism, prophecy of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or the shared Qibla (praying direction) agreed by al Islamic denominations.

Hadiseh Kia