Can the Muslim community unite while shirk (associating partners with Allah) exists among some of them?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: Is it possible for the Muslim community to unite in this time, given the shirk (associating partners with Allah) and bid'ah (religious innovations) present among them? And if that happens, will they be victorious over their enemy while they remain upon shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Answer:
Unite on what? If they have shirk (associating partners with Allah), they will not unite, and they will be like those about whom Allah said: Nothing unites the Muslims except tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and creed, and "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) in knowledge, action, and belief. This is what unites. As for their remaining upon shirk (associating partners with Allah), it is impossible for them to unite. Even if they unite outwardly, they will not unite inwardly in their hearts. The criterion is the unity of hearts, not unity in speech or unity of bodies. The basis is unity in the hearts; that is the beneficial unity.