QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM

2. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM

3. What is sectarianism? • Sect: “a subdivision of a larger religious group, the members of which have to some extent diverged from the rest by developing deviating beliefs, practices, etc” • Sectarianism “adhering to a particular sect, faction, or doctrine“

4. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM • “You (O-Muhummed ) have nothing to do with those, who have split up their religion and become sects. Their case rests with Allah, and He Himself will let them know what they have done”{6:159} Inaam • جن لوگوں نے اپنے دین میں (بہت سے) رستے نکالے اور کئی کئی فرقے ہو گئے ان سے تم کو کچھ کام نہیں ان کا کام خدا کے حوالے پھر جو کچھ وہ کرتے رہے ہیں وہ ان کو (سب) بتائے گا

5. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM • “ And not do not be like those who became divided into sects and got involved in differences of opinion even after receiving clear teachings. Those (who have caused division) shall suffer terrible punishments” {3:105} • اور ان لوگوں کی طرح نہ ہونا جو متفرق ہو گئے اور احکام بین آنے کے بعد ایک دوسرےسے (خلاف و) اختلاف کرنے لگے یہ وہ لوگ ہیں جن کو قیامت کے دن بڑا عذاب ہوگا

6. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM • Sectarianism called Shirk • “And do not be of Mushrikswho have set up their separate creeds and divided themselves into sects, each sect rejoicing in what it has” {30:31-32}

7. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM • “Hold fast together Allah’s cord and let nothing divide you”. {3:103} • “Establish this Deen and be not divided in it” {42:13-14} اسی نے تمہارے لئے دین کا وہی رستہ مقرر کیا جس (کے اختیار کرنے کا) نوح کو حکم دیا تھا اور جس کی (اے محمدﷺ) ہم نے تمہاری طرف وحی بھیجی ہے اور جس کا ابراہیم اور موسیٰ اور عیسیٰ کو حکم دیا تھا (وہ یہ) کہ دین کو قائم رکھنا اور اس میں پھوٹ نہ ڈالنا۔ جس چیز کی طرف تم مشرکوں کو بلاتے ہو وہ ان کو دشوار گزرتی ہے۔ الله جس کو چاہتا ہے اپنی بارگاہ کا برگزیدہ کرلیتا ہے اور جو اس کی طرف رجوع کرے اسے اپنی طرف رستہ دکھا دیتا ہے

8. QURANIC VIEW ON SECTARIANISM “ Allah had called you Muslimsbefore this and has called you (by the same name in this Quran) also so that the Messenger may be a witness in regard to you and you may be witness in regard to the rest of mankind. ”

9. REASONS OF MUSLIM SECTARIANISM • Tribal system and racial prejudices “O mankind, we created you from one man and one woman, and then divided you into nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Indeed the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most pious of you”{49:13} • The conflict of caliphate

10. REASONS OF MUSLIM DIVIDE • Theological Divide: • ShiaFiqah • FiqhaJafaria

11. Solution • Quran and Sunnah “We have made this Quran an easy means of admonition. Then, is there any who would take admonition?” {54:17} “There was indeed best model for you in Messenger of Allah” {33:21} “They have made their scholars and monks as their Lords besides Allah”{9:31}

12. Solution

13. CONCLUSION • Deterioration and down fall of Muslim Ummah/ Society • Preventive as well as curative measures be taken to control both the manifestation and root causes of sectarian conflict • Respect for positive traditions and cultural and religious heritage

14. CONCLUSION • Avoiding any injury to the feelings of others • The ban on the misuse of loudspeakers and production of hate material • The role of media • Enlightened Ulema who eschew sectarianism take an active role • Avoid blind following • Interfaith/ Intersects Dialogue • Commonalities • Tolerance

15. DIFFERENCE IN THEORY & PRACTICE

16. Basis of Sectarian Divide • Early History • Interpretation of Quran • Adherence to Islamic practices • Sources of Shriah • Concept of Islamic Renaissance • Owing to Personality Cult • On the issue of Science and Religion • Sufi Practices

17. Sectarianism in Islamic History • Civil Wars on Political Issues in the Early Times of Islam • Khalafat • Non Payer of Zakat • Murtids /Apostate • Khawarij • Mutual wars

18. THE MOTAZILLA SECT • WasilIbnAta 8th century • Followers expanded on the logic and rationalism of Greek philosophy, seeking to combine them with Islamic doctrines for they believed that both were inherently compatible • Whether the Quran was created or eternal, • the issue of destiny versus free will, • whether God’s attributes in the Quran were to be interpreted metaphorically or literally • whether sinning believers would have eternal punishment in hell • They believed only in the Quran as a basis for their doctrines. • They practice strict monogamy and a divorce needs the interference of a judge

19.  Al Ash'ari, •  Al Ash'ari, whom the Ash'arite movement is named after, left the Mu'tazilites and realigned himself with the more orthodox doctrine.   • Concept of free will in which he denied man possessed, yet believed that people had control over their obligations • Al Ash'ari is credited with developing a system of Islamic religious thought • This system, based on reason and rationality, gained widespread popularity and still affects the Islamic world today

20. Interpretation of Quran • Four Schools of Sunni Fiqah • Hanbli • Maliki • Shafi • Hanafi • Jaffari • Ismail (after the death of Hazrat Ismail Ra s/o Hazrat Imam JaffarSadiq 6th Imam) • Now called AghaKhani

21. Cont…. • Sources of Shriah • Ahl-e-alhadis • Alh-e_Sunnah • Concept of Islamic Renaissance • Jihadis • Owing to Personality Cult • Deoband • Bralviz • DaudiBohraz

22. Cont… • On the issue of Science and Religion • One consider science in confrontation with religion • Other treat Science Separate from Religion • Evolutionist • Divide in Modern World • Leftist • Rightists • Anti Imperilist • Sufi Practices • 4 Orders

23. SECTARIANISM IN PAKISTAN • The growth of sectarianism in Pakistan, • particularly the Shia -Sunni violence, is the single most important cause and manifestation of extremism • The factors that have fuelled it include: Islamization drive, Iranian revolution, and Iranian and Gulf countries’ proxy war in Pakistan • It was accentuated by the creation of TNFJ and SSP and their terrorist outfits with funding and support from local and foreign patrons • Collusion of SSP/LJ with Taliban and Al-Qaeda

24. SECTARIAN TERRORISM INCIDENTS

25. The Causes & Solution of Sectarianism • Different views related to Islam. • It is obligatory for every Muslim, especially educated to seek truth • In every ‘Salat’ Muslim pray Allah for guidance to right path. • In Surah Fatehah • “Show us the straight way, the way of those whom you have blessed; who have not incurred your wrath ,nor gone astray.”

26. Contd …. • One should endeavor for right path according to ones ability, Allah will open the doors • “Those who will strive in our cause, We shall guide them to our paths, and surely Allah is with the righteous.”

27. Contd… • Avoid blind following of religious people • The holy Quran denounces the people of earlier nations who strictly follow their ancestors • “When it is said to them, ‘Follow the commands that Allah has sent down’ they reply, we will follow only what we found our forefathers practicing. ’Well, will they go on following their forefathers even though did not use common sense and did not find the right way?”

28. Contd … • Realization of role of selfish religious leaders • Allah explicitly describes their role for debarring people from right path • “Indeed those, who conceal the commands that Allah has sent down in His Book and barter them away for paltry gains, fill their bellies with fire…”

29. Impact of Sectarianism • Divided Society • Economic Backlash • Political Instability • Sanctity of Worship Places Violated • Psychological Impact • Deteriorated Image of Islam

30. RECOMMENDATIONS Respect for positive traditions and cultural and religious heritage Avoiding any injury to the feelings of others The ban on the misuse of loudspeakers Production of hate material Civil society too must play its part Enlightened Ulema who are against sectarianism take an active role

33. THANK YOU