Islamic Schools of Thought Must Put the Concept of the “One Ummah” into Practice
Emphasizing the importance of rapprochement among Islamic schools of thought, Ayatollah Araki stated that all Islamic sects, despite their existing differences, must move toward realizing the significant concept of the “One Ummah.”
According to the Public Relations Office of Ayatollah Araki’s office, speaking at the Conference on Assessing the Status of Inter-Madhhab Rapprochement in the Current Conditions, he noted that the issue of rapprochement among Islamic sects is essentially about preserving the Islamic Ummah. He stressed that society must move toward obedience to divine law and submission to God’s commands.
He then described the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran as one of the most advanced constitutions, adding that despite all the differences among Islamic sects, there is no doubt that they can coexist and achieve unity, thereby practically realizing the important title of the “One Ummah.”
Ayatollah Araki also referred to the noble verse:
“And ordain for us good in this world and in the Hereafter; indeed, we have turned to You”
and the subsequent verses in Surah Al-A‘raf, stating that the global governance mentioned in these verses pertains to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
He further noted that the grand religious authorities and eminent sources of emulation have always emphasized Islamic unity and rapprochement, reminding that any harm inflicted by enemies upon any Islamic sect is, in fact, an attack on the unified Islamic Ummah. This is because the enemies fear the unity of the Islamic world and have exerted, continue to exert, and will continue to exert all their efforts to sow discord.
He concluded by stating that the Islamic Revolution and the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought prevented the disintegration of the Islamic Ummah. In other words, the greatest blessing of the Islamic Revolution has been preventing the fragmentation of the Islamic society, and therefore greater attention must be paid to this crucial matter.
