Speaking on Al-Kawthar program “Problems and Solutions”, Sami Khadra stressed that the call for Islamic unity does not mean abandoning the sects, saying some of the enemies of the unity allege that such unity requires abandoning their faith.

He stressed that Muslims have much in common and that they agree on the basics of Islam.

Khadra said that the difference is normal among the humans and not a defect. The cleric added that there are various views and independent opinions even in a small village, but these opinions do not lead to disagreement, conflict or war as the residents of that village know that they live together and whatever hit this village - either good or bad - will hit them all.

He also said that the difference does not affect the sanctity of blood, wealth and honor, saying whoever bears witness that “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah” has sanctity.

Thus, it is not permitted to ignite conflicts among Muslims, the cleric emphasized.

He added that the anger, insults and attacks on Muslims are not among the Islamic ethics.

Khadra noted that there are several sects in Islam, adding that there are independent opinions in every sect. The difference does not mean conflicts, disputes or wars, but means that we have to respect each other for the sake of Islam, the common goals and the common interests of the nation, the cleric added.

Referring to the Islamic unity week which was designated by the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, the cleric said Sunnis believe that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal while Shias believe that He was born on the 17th of Rabi al-Awwal; thus the event is held between two dates.

Khadra stressed that the Islamic unity does not mean deleting the other sects.

He noted that the sectarian conflicts have ignited in the last two decades, noting that there are attempts by other parties to ignite sedition between the Sunnis and Shias through lies. He stressed that the enemy benefits from division among Muslims, saying “Divide and conquer”.

He added that the division is in the interest of the enemies and cited the US announcement of Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Israel on December 6, 2017 as an example, quoting a US intelligence official as saying that the announcement followed contacts with some Arab leaders.

The cleric reiterated that unity serves the interest of the Islam and Muslims as it help them confront the enemies.

He added that there are goals that could only be attained through unity and cooperation.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Khadra slammed those who oppose unity, such as the Daesh Takfiris, for ignoring the basics of Islam and focusing on small details and magnifying them, which subsequently lead to division among Muslims. 

He cited the verse of the holy Quran that says “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.”

He also quoted other Quranic verses that say “And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful. And do not be like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come to them. And those will have a great punishment.”

Khadra also cited another Quranic verse that says “Indeed, those who have divided their religion and become sects - you, [O Muhammad], are not [associated] with them in anything. Their affair is only [left] to Allah ; then He will inform them about what they used to do.”

The cleric emphasized that there are difference even in the one family, then Muslims have to focus on the common things and ignore the differences, citing a part of a verse of the Quran that says “do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart”.