RNA – Speaking on Egyptian state television during the month of Ramadan, Shaykh Ahmad al-Tayyib, the Grand Imam of Egypt’s renowned Sunni institution of al-Azhar University, emphasized the importance of unity between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims and urged Sunni scholars to issue a fatwa (religious decree) prohibiting the killing of Shi’ite Muslims.
He had also called on Shi’ite scholars to issue a similar fatwa banning the killing of Sunni Muslims.
In response to the Grand Imam’s comments, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi, an Iranian source of emulation, sent a letter to him proposing a conference between top Sunni and Shi’ite scholars “to review the most important obstacles in the way of Islamic unity” and “to set forth the most significant, necessary measures for reinforcing Islamic unity.”
The text of the letter published exclusively on Rasa News is as follows:
In His Name, the Most High
To His Excellency Shaykh Dr Ahmad al-Tayyib the Grand Imam of al-Azhar al-Sharif
May the peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you,
I am pleased to extend to you my warmest congratulations on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.
At first, I offer you my thanks and appreciation due to your graceful statements on your television special “A Conversation with Shaykh al-Azhar” during the month of Ramadan this year, on the subject of the differences between Sunnis and Shi’ites in regard to Imamah (Leadership) and the [Prophet Muhammad‘s] companions. Thank you for your continuous efforts to achieve unity among the Muslims.
We were pleased with some your statements, including your statement that “Sunnis and Shi’ites are two wings of the Islamic nation" and that "what is happening between them now is an attempt to undermine and harm Muslims through the weapons of murder and sectarian war” and “As long as Sunnis and Shi’ites acknowledge the shahadatayn [testimony of faith], al-Azhar does not differentiate between Sunnis and Shi’ites.”
Your statement is part of the scheme of al-Azhar University in regard to the dissemination of the intellectual and doctrinal concepts of moderation but allow me to explain a few things and criticisms about this television program:
First: On the question of insults and abuse to some companions by some of Shi’ite scholars – as you mentioned – it must be said that all Shi’ite sources of emulation are innocent of such statements and have renounced them. Some of the common Shi’ites, who are not noteworthy, have attacked the companions.
Second: We believe that some of issues you have raised on this television program about Shi’ite beliefs can be discussed and debated.
Also, with deep respect for your good self, we believe that raising such issues in the media will result in the expansion of differences between Sunnis and Shi’ites, and many of the enemies of Islam will capitalize on such issues to achieve their own goals. We would rather prefer that such issues were raised during scholarly meetings behind closed doors and with the presence of scholars of both sects for planning and review, and not in the mass media.
Therefore, we propose to you that a scholarly conference be held with the attendance of the most prominent Sunni and Shi’ite clerics to discuss and study the most important barriers to Islamic unity and determine the most important measures to strengthen Islamic unity. As a result of this scholarly conference, the participants should agree on binding legislation which should be performed by everyone.
I hope this proposal is acceptable to you so that Shi’ites are not forced to respond to the problematic explanations propagated by media groups and satellite networks against the Shi’ite school of thought.
In conclusion, we thank you once again for continuing on the path of unity among Muslims. I pray that God bestows more of His grace upon you.
Naser Makarem-Shirazi
Qom, Iran
Ramadan 29, 1436
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