Few weeks ago, I was invited to speak at Salam MSA’s event on Karbala at Rutgers New Brunswick. The room was full of students, each with a radiant face and an eagerness to learn. They belonged to both shi’i and sunni Islam. Obviously, it is a very emotional subject – the martyrdom of Imam Husain (r). I had to tread this path very carefully – without any bias.
After the introduction, I told them the condition of my heart; I knew that there were some sunni students there and they were probably thinking ‘Why does this person wants to talk about Karbala’? On the opposing viewpoint, there were shi’a students and I ‘m sure they were thinking ‘Can we really trust this sunni guy to talk about Karbala?
For this reason, the week before my lecture, I spent extra time asking God to give me wisdom to bring both sides closer to one another. I view both shia’ and sunnis as the Ummah of the Prophet (s). It is upon me as a believer to give them good counsel and look after their interest. I told the students that those Muslims who are busy debating shia’/sunna is like a family arguing over the color of curtains while the house is on fire. Are the curtains in the basement blue or green? Meanwhile, the fire is enraging. For God sake, put the fire out before debating “blue or green”.
The analogy provided the context for my talk. I quoted both shi’i and sunni sources and perspectives about the tragedy that occurred in Karbala – 95% agreement on both sides.
At the end, I gave them a list of lessons learned from the martyrdom of Imam Husain. We learn courage, self-sacrifice, integrity, honesty, vision, bravery, etc. But the biggest lesson we learn is the lesson on unity. When I said this there was silence in the room. I saw some heads turned, some eyes refocused, some whispered, and some questioned my statement. Unity?
I said to them, “It is this simple, look around you at the people who are present here: shia’, sunni, sufi, salafi, deobandi, barelwi, ikhwani, secular, arab, ‘ajam, black, white, and the list continues. However, if all of you were taken back to the plains of Karbala, who amongst you will join Imam Husain (r)? They were all in agreement that they were with Imam Husain in this battle of truth and falsehood.
Why then we divide and fight ourselves in their names? Why? …
Let us learn from the history and not repeat the same mistake. May Allah unite the hearts of believers. Amen.
salam alaikum
4 Responses
“…But the biggest lesson we learn is the lesson on unity. When I said this there was silence in the room. I saw some heads turned, some eyes refocused, some whispered, and some questioned my statement. Unity?
I said to them, “It is this simple, look around you at the people who are present here: shia’, sunni, sufi, salafi, deobandi, barelwi, ikhwani, secular, arab, ‘ajam, black, white, and the list continues. However, if all of you were taken back to the plains of Karbala, who amongst you will join Imam Husain (r)? They were all in agreement that they were with Imam Husain in this battle of truth and falsehood.
Why then we divide and fight ourselves in their names? Why? …”
Nicely said…A great and important point.
Posted on February 14th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Walaikum salaam,
Does anyone dispute the lessons of Karbala or the example of Imam Hussain? I think not. What about the battle of Sissin, whose side should we have been on then? It’s not a black, white, red or brown issue. Isnt it a matter of the innovations that were propogated after his death and also the tariqa that formed thereafer? Most muslims want unity in the ummah, but these differences aren’t like the distinctions in the four madhabs of sunni islam are they?
As a lay person and someone who is definitely not an Islamic scholar, I would like to know if the practices of shi’a are bida’a…
i.e. praying with a stone, self flagellation…that the shi’a mullah’s are divinely inspired and consequently “worshipped” by their followers? What about the practice of muta’a? Don’t they curse A’isha the mother of the belivers? The line has to be drawn somewhere and that’s not only for the shi’a. Any people who have added or taken away from the Sunnah of the seal of the prophets, (SAW) should be given the truth and if they reject that truth, may Allah have mercy on us all. Are they the side of the family we don’t like to talk about or invite to family functions?
Posted on February 16th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
wasSalam,
I believe you are referring to battle of Siffin !?! Even the great sahaba were divided on the issue that led to first civil war within the ummah.
See, it’s very easy to get caught up in judging people. I am not saying everyone is OK. Rather, I will believe and act on what I think is the truth BUT I will NOT be the judge on this matter. I will let God do his job.
Where do you draw the line for who’s ok? Is that my responsibility to draw a line in the sand?
Acquired knowledge. Read, learn, and grow in your Islam but do not forget that one’s focus in life is God, not people.
About innovation, shia’ have references for practices you have mentioned…praying with a stone, flagellation, muta’… etc. The word bid’a depends on the interpretation of an individual (scholar).
These differences will remain and you and I cannot solve them. Why bother? At the end of the day, we are still brothers and sisters in Islam. shia’ believes in the same God, same messenger, angels, (six articles of faith)…. and they do believe and practice the five pillars (salah, siyam, haj, etc.).
“Are they the side of the family we don’t like to talk about or invite to family functions?”
Wrong! In Islam relatives have rights and obligations. To cut off family ties is a major sin (kabair) whether shia’ or sunna.
Lets be serious, if we can live in harmony with our atheist neighbor than why is it hard to swallow the fact that shi’a and sunnis are brothers. Most Muslims will acknowledge that fact. We may disagree on certain practices or beliefs but that should not divide us.
Dear readers, know what time you are living in. The reality is that the house is on fire… this is not the time for a debate – learn to love for the sake of God.
Posted on February 16th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
You are either with Imam Ali A.S. or Mauwiya
Ali is the true Calipha
After the prophet died where were those daughter givers
Posted on March 3rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Add A Comment