The Duty of Muslim Scholars Regarding the Proliferation of Associations and Groups
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Q: What is the duty of Muslim scholars regarding the proliferation of associations and groups in many Islamic countries and elsewhere? And their disagreement among themselves? To the point that every group declares the other misguided. Do you not see it appropriate to intervene in such a matter by clarifying the truth in these disagreements? For fear of their escalation and their dire consequences for Muslims there.
A: Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) showed us a single path that Muslims must follow, which is the straight path of Allah and the correct methodology of His religion. Allah the Exalted says: [Al-An'am: 153]. Likewise, the Lord of Majesty and Honor forbade the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from splitting and differing in word; for that is among the greatest causes of failure and the dominance of the enemy, as in His saying, (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-Imran: 103]. And His saying, the Exalted: [Al-Shura: 13]. This is a divine call to the unity of word and the harmony of hearts.
If associations multiply in any Islamic country for the sake of good, assistance, and cooperation in righteousness and piety among Muslims, without the desires of their owners differing, then they are good and a blessing, and their benefits are great. But if each one declares the other misguided and criticizes their works, then the harm from them at that time is great and the consequences are dire.
It is obligatory upon Muslim scholars to clarify the truth and discuss every group or association, and to advise everyone to proceed in the line that Allah has drawn for His servants and to which our Prophet Muhammad called. And whoever exceeds this and persists in his stubbornness for personal interests or for purposes known only to Allah, then it is obligatory to publicize him and warn against him, from those who know the truth; so that people may avoid their path, and so that those who do not know the truth of their matter do not enter with them, lest they mislead them and divert them from the straight path, which Allah has commanded us to follow in His saying, (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-An'am: 153].
And there is no doubt that the proliferation of sects and groups in the Muslim society is what Satan first, and the enemies of Islam from among humans second, strive for; because the agreement of the word of Muslims, their unity, and their realization of the danger that threatens them and targets their belief makes them active in combating that, and working in one row for the benefit of Muslims, and repelling the danger from their religion, their lands, and their brothers. And this is a course that the enemies from among humans and jinn do not approve of. Therefore, they strive to divide the word of Muslims, scatter their gathering, and sow the causes of enmity between them. We ask Allah to unite the word of Muslims upon the truth, and to remove from their society every trial and misguidance. He is the One capable of that and able to do it.
A: Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) showed us a single path that Muslims must follow, which is the straight path of Allah and the correct methodology of His religion. Allah the Exalted says:
And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.
وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَAnd hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلا تَفَرَّقُواHe has ordained for you of religion what He enjoined upon Noah and that which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what We enjoined upon Abraham and Moses and Jesus - to establish the religion and not be divided therein. Difficult for those who associate others with Allah is that to which you invite them
شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَاا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِIf associations multiply in any Islamic country for the sake of good, assistance, and cooperation in righteousness and piety among Muslims, without the desires of their owners differing, then they are good and a blessing, and their benefits are great. But if each one declares the other misguided and criticizes their works, then the harm from them at that time is great and the consequences are dire.
It is obligatory upon Muslim scholars to clarify the truth and discuss every group or association, and to advise everyone to proceed in the line that Allah has drawn for His servants and to which our Prophet Muhammad called. And whoever exceeds this and persists in his stubbornness for personal interests or for purposes known only to Allah, then it is obligatory to publicize him and warn against him, from those who know the truth; so that people may avoid their path, and so that those who do not know the truth of their matter do not enter with them, lest they mislead them and divert them from the straight path, which Allah has commanded us to follow in His saying, (Exalted and Majestic is He):
And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may become righteous.
وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَAnd there is no doubt that the proliferation of sects and groups in the Muslim society is what Satan first, and the enemies of Islam from among humans second, strive for; because the agreement of the word of Muslims, their unity, and their realization of the danger that threatens them and targets their belief makes them active in combating that, and working in one row for the benefit of Muslims, and repelling the danger from their religion, their lands, and their brothers. And this is a course that the enemies from among humans and jinn do not approve of. Therefore, they strive to divide the word of Muslims, scatter their gathering, and sow the causes of enmity between them. We ask Allah to unite the word of Muslims upon the truth, and to remove from their society every trial and misguidance. He is the One capable of that and able to do it.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.