Dr. Ahmad Rabiee/ researcher of Hawzeh and University
Murder, war, division, hatred, underdevelopment, destruction and displacement are fires which are thrown into the Islamic world in recent decades and every day become more exasperated. In one hand, these flames emerged from existing ignorance and bigotry in Islamic world especially among Muslim elites and on the other hand, there are the result of hostile and colonial policies of western powers which seek the sources and wealth of Islamic world.
So one of the most important ways to exit from the current chaotic situation in the Islamic world is finding the source and the main roots of these problems and stepping on the way of eradicating these disorders.
One of the most important factors on the influence of enemies of Islam and the flames of war and bloodshed among Muslims, is missing the Islamic unity and getting out of the rope of Islamic unity which grabbing to it is the duty of all Muslim. However, paying attention to the common interests and Muslim view to the joint Islamic aims and motivations instead of paying attentions to the enmities and detailed divisions is one of the most important ways to approach the Islamic solidarity rope. As Allah in Quran said the issue of focusing on the commons is the factor of unity among the followers of divine religions and has called them to pay to commons instead of enmity and hatred.
According to the teachings of the Quran and the sire of imams (AS), we find that the common interests between believers especially Muslims are large enough and significant which before the creation of common interests, must pay more to find common interests and highlight them, Because one of the main roots of current disorders in the Islamic world is paying no attention to the common interests and solidarity.
Finding common interests in various layers of Islamic Ummah
One of the important points to address common interests in the Islamic world is the consideration of the social layers of Islamic Ummah which are involved in finding and creating opportunities and common interests. In this context, it is tried to study the subject of making opportunities to create common interest in the Islamic world according to the social layers which is divided in three main categories as follows:
1) Islamist and sympathetic rulers and elites of the Islamic Ummah
2) People and Muslim of all sects in the Islamic world
3) Hostile, West-oriented and mercenary rulers and elites in the Islamic world
In the process of finding, creating and highlighting common interests and opportunities in the Islamic world which mentioned above, each category will have specific reactions, status and tasks.
Islamist and sympathetic rulers and elites of the Islamic Ummah:
This category is the most important factor and main entrance to the discussion of considering the common interests in the Islamic world.
According to the life of prophets and sire of Imams (AS), it is obviously clear that their efforts were always along with catching the hearts of these sympathetic rulers and elites and guiding them to common interests in the Islamic world because the impact and influence of rulers and elites in the Islamic Ummah and other human communities is undeniable and this category is one of the most important ways to communicate with diverse range of Islamic Ummah.
Imams’ (peace be upon them) deal with scholars of other Islamic sects were always with honor and respect in addition with giving attentions to common interests. The prophet Mohammad invitation and dialogue with Abyssinia’s ruler in the visit of Muslim to Abyssinia can be an outstanding example of this fact in the Islamic history which has been occurred even with non-Muslim. In this historic even, finding common interests and providing aligned commons and motivations led to the support of Muslim by Abyssinia’s ruler against the infidels.
There are many commons in different aspects of religious, geographic, politics, economy and even history which finding these common interests based on main Islamic commons and highlighting these common areas have a significant impact on solving the current problems of the Islamic world. These common interests when discus in interaction with sympathetic elites and rulers of the Islamic world can be a key to a better future and solidarity among Muslim nations.
People and Muslim of all sects in the Islamic world:
The most important way to create and find common interests among the general public in the Islamic world is strengthening public diplomacy not in governmental manner and means also along with the non-governmental organizations in this direction.
Unfortunately, the islamic world and our country in this field has been extremely weak and has been based more on public diplomacy with governmental tools.
Not supporting public organizations in the field of public diplomacy and different kinds of Islamic nations’ communication from every nation and sect has caused these organizations be very small in quantity and Despite multiple media and social networks in the modern era qualitatively, these organizations have limited in a range of activities and not be supported.
While communication with people of Islamic Ummah from different sects and good behaviors with them is one of the most important commands of saints of God which Shia scholars have insisted on them. Although this article is not a opportunity to provide abundant examples of these commands and the tradition of Muslim leaders, there are numerous books and articles in this field. Since one of the usual commands of imams to Shias has been the communication with people of other sects and expressing compassion and goodness towards them. In addition, strengthening public diplomacy in public way, another factor that could involve all Muslim with the common interests is print television and radio media which unfortunately has changed to a factor to make division and work in a diverse direction. While supporting independent, logical and unifying media as well as the creation of the Union of Islamic media with the aim of finding and highlighting the common interests of the Islamic world would be necessary and effective.
Hostile, West-oriented and mercenary rulers and elites in the Islamic world:
Any attempts won’t be effective in dealing with this category which has been mentioned as hypocrites in Islamic tradition. Hence making common interests to deal with this category will be pointless and with no results which may only lead to the waste of Islamic nations’ investment in this way. Sire of Imams in dealing with this category include two stages which the first stage was based on tolerance, dialogue and advice and it was till the moment that the veil from the face of mercenary elements were removed and any danger will threaten them. But in the second stage, after the removal of a veil from the face of the hypocrite and enemy elements in the Muslim world or in case of any risk for the Islamic Ummah, fighting these categories and destroying them are placed on the agenda of the saints And Allah in the Holy Qur’an has stressed on this way in dealing with the hypocrisy. The method of imam Ali in dealing with the Muawiya’s intrigue is an obvious example in dealing with traitors and internal enemies of Islam. In dealing with Muawiyah, some expected that imam Ali solve the problem by creating common interests between Muawiyah and himself and giving him some concessions. Although unlike their misplaced expectations, imam Ali not only give some concessions to Muawiyah and not in the think of creating common interests with him but all his efforts to reveal ugly and hypocritical image of Muawiyah and fight with him. Several of his sermons has emphasized on the hypocrisy of Mu’awiya and his efforts to destroy Islam and in 162 Nahj al-Balagha sermon said. So it is not possible to talk about common interests with this category (Hostile, West-oriented and mercenary rulers and elites) and the attitude towards this group based on the teachings of the Quran and Ahl al-Bayt Sira has several stages.
Conclusion:
One of the main factors in the progress and success of Islamic world is creating and strengthening the Islamic solidarity and unity which Allah in Quran commanded. Paying attention to the Islamic commons and creating joint opportunities and motivations in the Islamic world on the basis of these similarities include a broad circle which Islam as the religion and faith of Muslim nations can be the firm and trustworthy basis and axis for the historical, religious, geographical, cultural and economic common interests of these nations. In this regard, the sympathetic Muslim rulers and the elites have the most of responsibilities to the creating and highlighting common interests and non-governmental public diplomacy is also one of the most effective ways to build and strengthen these common interests in the numerous areas.
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