What is the ruling on the multiplication of Islamic groups?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah preserve you: What is your opinion regarding the multiplication of Islamic groups?
The Shaykh : By Allah, we have spoken about this much and clarified that this is a trial that the youth of the awakening have been afflicted with. This division that has occurred has led to the division of hearts. If the matter were merely a difference in methodology or opinion among the opinions in which differing is permissible, it would have been easier. But the calamity is that these groups have come to declare one another misguided, to label one another as innovators, and perhaps even to declare one another disbelievers. That is, instead of the calamity coming from the people of open sinfulness and atheism, the calamity is coming from some of us to others, and this is a severe trial. I see that it is obligatory for the groups to agree upon a common word in the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that they should unite and study the methodology and creed upon which they are. If they are sincere in their intention to seek the truth, they will return to the truth. I do not agree with this division; rather, I see that it is what is wrong and that it is from what Allah has forbidden. Allah the Exalted said:[Ali 'Imran 3:103] And there is no doubt that every group has its merits and its faults. If we all gather and look at the faults and the merits, and agree upon the merits and leave the faults, then good will result. But for each of us to speak about the other behind closed doors, to backbite him, and to disparage him, that is the calamity. Yes.
The questioner : ... uniting upon the Book and the Sunnah.
The Shaykh : Upon the Book and the Sunnah, after research and debate regarding the matter of the one who differs, because each of them says, "I am upon the Book and the Sunnah." So it is said, "Very well, please proceed. If we are upon the Book and the Sunnah, the action must be one, just as the goal was one."
The Shaykh : By Allah, we have spoken about this much and clarified that this is a trial that the youth of the awakening have been afflicted with. This division that has occurred has led to the division of hearts. If the matter were merely a difference in methodology or opinion among the opinions in which differing is permissible, it would have been easier. But the calamity is that these groups have come to declare one another misguided, to label one another as innovators, and perhaps even to declare one another disbelievers. That is, instead of the calamity coming from the people of open sinfulness and atheism, the calamity is coming from some of us to others, and this is a severe trial. I see that it is obligatory for the groups to agree upon a common word in the religion of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and that they should unite and study the methodology and creed upon which they are. If they are sincere in their intention to seek the truth, they will return to the truth. I do not agree with this division; rather, I see that it is what is wrong and that it is from what Allah has forbidden. Allah the Exalted said:
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers
واعتصموا بحبل الله جميعًا ولا تفرقوا واذكروا نعمة الله عليكم إذ كنتم أعداء فألّف بين قلوبكم فأصبحتم بنعمته إخوانًاThe questioner : ... uniting upon the Book and the Sunnah.
The Shaykh : Upon the Book and the Sunnah, after research and debate regarding the matter of the one who differs, because each of them says, "I am upon the Book and the Sunnah." So it is said, "Very well, please proceed. If we are upon the Book and the Sunnah, the action must be one, just as the goal was one."