The Meaning of Political Factionalism and the Difference Between It and Congregating

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Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: What is meant by the factionalism (tahazub) that scholars prohibit and warn against? And what is the difference between it and the congregating that Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded?

Answer:
Sectarianism is splitting into groups. Allah commanded us to be one community

And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا

[Ali 'Imran 3:103]

. Sticking to the community is something the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded: “Stick to the community of the Muslims and their imam” when trials occur. As for sectarianism, it is not permissible. He, Exalted and Majestic is He, said

But the people divided their religion among them into sects - each faction, in what it has, rejoicing.

فَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ

[Al-Mu'minun 23:53]

and He, the Exalted, said

⁽⁹²⁾ Indeed this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me. ⁽⁹³⁾ And [yet] they divided their affair among themselves, [but] all to Us will return.

إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً وَأَنَا رَبُّكُمْ فَاعْبُدُونِ وَتَقَطَّعُوا أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ كُلٌّ إِلَيْنَا رَاجِعُونَ

[Al-Anbya 21:92-93]

. So splitting up and sectarianism are not permissible; the believers are one community. Yes.

Source المنتقى من أخبار سيد المرسلين 11-11-1435هـ — alfawzan.live (1:02:33)

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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