The Ruling on Calling for Closeness Between Religions and Sects

The questioner:
Peace be upon you. Honorable Shaykh, one of the doubts raised in Western Islamic centers is the call for closeness between Islamic sects. This is heard often, as I have listened to more than one person among those who lead these centers calling for this, or for this closeness, bringing together the Islamic sects, even if these sects are predominantly, or perhaps, outside the circle of Islam. The matter is not limited to this only; rather, there is also a call for closeness between religions, especially, Shaykh, if such calls rely on the fatwas of those who are now called the scholars of the age. In fact, some of them have issued a fatwa that the Jews and Christians are brothers, and that they are believers in some way.

The Shaykh:
If Allah wills.

The questioner:
Shaykh, this is an issue we would like you to discuss. The other matter is: why do you not, Shaykh, given that you are a member of the Permanent Committee, provide a clear statement on these issues?

Another questioner:
In truth, I do not know of this in my knowledge, which is limited, but if it is emphasized at this particular time, given that it is now being raised more broadly and clearly.

The Shaykh:
You have done well, may Allah reward you with good. This is correct; there is a call for closeness between the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The meaning of this is acknowledging that Judaism is truth and that Christianity is truth, including its disbelief, trinitarianism, and belief in the sonship of Jesus, that he is the son of Allah. They say it is not a correct religion, and like Islam, all are true religions that must come closer and mix. This is misguidance and disbelief, may Allah protect us. There is no religion except Islam. Since Allah sent His Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), there is no correct religion that saves from the Fire except Islam, which the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was sent with. What is other than these religions is either disbelief from its origin, or it has been abrogated by Islam. One acts upon the abrogating and does not act upon the abrogated. There is no religion except the religion of Islam, and there is no closeness between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. This is a false statement. The intention behind it is to equate Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He says they are all equally true. This is false. There is no truth except Islam; what is other than it is disbelief and is not acted upon.
Likewise, there is a call for closeness between the schools and misguided sects, that they come closer and tolerate one another, even if some of the sects have major sins of disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is not permissible. There is only one sect: the people of the Sunnah and the community. Whoever wants the truth and wants salvation must be with the people of the Sunnah and the community. We do not come close to the people of innovation and the people of misguidance, but we call them; we call them to the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community. The saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): “This Ummah will split into…” They said: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: “Whoever is upon what I and my Companions are upon.” So there is no correct sect and no saving sect except what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions were upon, and they are the people of the Sunnah and the community. So if they want, let them return to the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community. As for them saying, “We will not remain on our methodology, even if it is misguidance, even if it is disbelief, and we will come close to you,” we say: No, there is no closeness between us, no closeness between us, and no compromise on the religion. Either you return to the truth, or you are our enemies. This is necessary. Yes.