AFTER the late gruesome Daesh (so-called IS) attacks on Shiite mosques in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, it has become very clear that these terrorists are planning to gain political power through weakening the region by creating civil unrest and instability disguised under a religious facade. The realization of this hidden political agenda has made people in the Gulf region more determined to unite than ever before in order to defy this unholy group. An Islamic religious leader, Ali Al Jifry, said, “Do not Say: ‘a Sunni killed a Shia' nor: ‘a Shia killed a Sunni.' But say: ‘a criminal killed a human'. Terrorism has no religion and no sect; such labels only divide us and lead to animosity weakening us as communities and nations. We are all Muslims who are legitimately different as a result of our diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, educational, and intellectual backgrounds. However, there is a great distinction between ‘different' and ‘divided' because ‘differences' result from the natural evolution and development of any religious tradition when it spreads and its followers' backgrounds diversify. On the other hand, ‘division' is the result of our intolerant reaction to these differences and insistence on only one ‘true' path. In the Quran, when Allah talks about divisions, he says: “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become schismatic – you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only [left] to Allah; then He will inform them about what they used to do” 6:159. Daesh could have touched a nerve had not our nations and governments been aware of their malicious tactics. Unfortunately, when we are not highly charged with emotions and patriotism, many of us acknowledge diversity among Muslims, but seem to consider it a fulfillment of a damning prophecy where we are bound to ‘wrongfully' differ, disdaining those who are different.
Accordingly, these people believe in one ‘saved' sect, which creates a drift between most of the sects and factions in Islam, not only between Sunni and Shia. This concept justifies intolerance and disrespect towards those who are different leading to inciting hatred, which in turn could mount up to violence under ‘suitable' circumstances.
Despite this concept's negative effect on our unity, most of us have found a way to agree on the legitimacy of this concept claiming that each group is the intended ‘saved' one. It has also become an intriguing research topic for many past and contemporary Islamic scholars resulting in many interpretations and speculations regarding the ‘saved' group as well as those who argued against it because of its dangers on Muslims' unity. Whether the differences are within Islam or between all religions, it is a matter between people and God. We were created to worship Him, build this earth, and coexist harmoniously with each other; not to condone or condemn each other. Why do we have this complex in which different groups of people want to prove that they are God's ‘chosen' people and the rest will be doomed? A research needs to be done in order to answer this question, but an appropriate response to these people can be found in the Qur'an, in which Allah says “If the home of the Hereafter with Allah is for you alone and not the [other] people, then wish for death, if you should be truthful'” (2:94). Bombs and physical destruction is unmistakable and can be combated if the means and strength are available, which are thankfully the case in the Gulf region. Toxic ideologies, however, are not that discernable and can lead to catastrophic results. Daesh or any other terrorist group is like a cancer that targets weak immune systems, which means that it could be prevented by avoiding that weakness through abandoning any thoughts or actions that could divide us, such as the belief in a ‘saved' group. Acknowledging diversity is not enough; we have to learn how to appreciate it and embrace it in order to live in peace amongst ourselves and with the rest of the world. Once we realize that God's mercy and love is enough for all of us as long as a person does not harm others with their actions, we will realize that it is not our place to judge and that ‘their affair is only [left] to Allah'. — The writer can be reached at [email protected]
