The Obligation of Scholars Toward the Numerous Groups and Associations in the Islamic World
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q: What is the obligation of Muslim scholars regarding the proliferation of associations and groups in many Islamic countries and elsewhere, and their disagreement among themselves, to the point where every group declares the other misguided? Do you not see it appropriate to intervene in such a matter by clarifying the truth in these disputes, fearing 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 division and disagreement in speech; 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 speech 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.
However, if each one declares the other misguided and criticizes their actions, then the harm in that 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 along the path that Allah has drawn for His servants and to which our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) called. Whoever exceeds this or 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, so that people 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 that Allah has commanded us to follow in His saying, (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Al-An'am: 153].
There is no doubt that the multiplication of sects and groups in Islamic society is something that Satan strives for first, and the enemies of Islam from among humans second. For the agreement of the Muslims' speech, their unity, and their awareness of the danger that threatens them and targets their creed, 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. This is a course that the enemies from among humans and jinn do not approve of. Therefore, they strive to divide the speech of the Muslims, scatter their unity, and sow the causes of enmity between them.
We ask Allah to unite the speech of the Muslims upon the truth and to remove from their society every trial and misguidance. He is the One who is capable of that and has power over 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 بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَLikewise, the Lord of Majesty and Honor forbade the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from division and disagreement in speech; for that is among the greatest causes of failure and the dominance of the enemy, as in His saying, (Exalted and Majestic is He):
And 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 مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِThis is a divine call to the unity of speech 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.
However, if each one declares the other misguided and criticizes their actions, then the harm in that 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 along the path that Allah has drawn for His servants and to which our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) called. Whoever exceeds this or 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, so that people 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 that 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 تَتَّقُونَThere is no doubt that the multiplication of sects and groups in Islamic society is something that Satan strives for first, and the enemies of Islam from among humans second. For the agreement of the Muslims' speech, their unity, and their awareness of the danger that threatens them and targets their creed, 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. This is a course that the enemies from among humans and jinn do not approve of. Therefore, they strive to divide the speech of the Muslims, scatter their unity, and sow the causes of enmity between them.
We ask Allah to unite the speech of the Muslims upon the truth and to remove from their society every trial and misguidance. He is the One who is capable of that and has power over it.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.