Extremism and ‘Takfir’ jeopardize the interests of Islam and Muslims around the world, the outstanding Sunni Islamic leader, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid told the audience of a congress in Iran on Sunday 17 August, 2014.
He said the unity of the Muslim world was at a serious risk as extremism was going to get root in the region. The Islamic scholar was talking to dozens of scholars and intellectuals at the “primary meeting of the International Congress of Extremist & Takfiri movements in the view of Ulama” in Zahedan, southeastern Iran.
“Islam is the religion of temperance and sobriety; we can get the satisfaction of Allah by going on the path of temperance. The ways of extremism do not lead anyone to the Almighty and prosperity of the both worlds.”
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan alluded to the history of extremist views and pointed more, “Extremist movements and their views have been active from the early ages of Islam. Khawarij comminated the great Islamic figures and the companions as they declared them Kuffar (infidels). The fourth caliph, Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, dispatched a delegation to make them understand by logic and reasoning. When they denied but to fight and loot Muslims, he fought with them.”
He further said, “In the recent years, for the first time extremism showed off its head in Egypt. Due to ruthless behavior of the Egyptian rulers with Islamists, some people went to extremism. It is a proof that injustice is the root of extremism.”
“Mostly the extremists cite some Qur’anic verses to declare other Muslims ‘infidels’ neglecting the other parts of the Qur’an. In fact they reason the outward meaning of the specific verses. Even some of them declare imitation of jurist Imams ‘Shirk’ (associating anyone with Allah in worship),” the eminent Islamic leader pointed out.
The member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars urged on the elimination of the root causes of ‘Takfir’ and said, “We think the Takfir phenomenon has roots somewhere else and Muslims should uproot them. Injustice, violation of due rights and discrimination are the root causes of extremism and Takfir. If we do not eliminate injustice and discriminative policies providing due liberties and legal rights to people, we cannot see durable peace in the world.”
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid emphasized on the unity of two major Muslim sects, Shia and Sunni, calling on the followers of them to avoid disrespecting the sanctities of each other. He said the holy texts of the both sects suggest Muslims should avoid calling each other ‘disbeliever’. If somebody pronounces any bad word, they should justify it instead of making him/her disbeliever. But if someone denies any essential part of Islam such as Salah, Zakah and Hajj, then the matter is clear.
“Muslims need unity and solidarity more than anytime. The secret of our honor is in unity. Differences and division make a nation defamed and defeated,” he concluded his points.