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Answer
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Name
Amber
- United States
Profession
Question
Is a civil war likely to take fire between Shiites and Sunnis in Iraq? If yes, why are some Iraqis against the presence of US forces, whose role is to maintain law and order in the country at this turbulent time?
Answer
A sincere Iraqi would like to see Iraq INDEPEDENT and FREE from any form of occupation; however, as Iraq has suffered from a despotic dictatorship – like Saddam Hussain, who gassed 7000 innocent human beings during the Halabjah bombardments – some may justify the American attack on Iraq’s sovereignty.
Also, those who have attacked UN’s headquarter in Iraq (killing Kofi Anan’s representative) and/or committing suicide attacks are neither Iraqis nor friends of Iraq. It’s therefore unlikely that a civil war shall commence, because, based on concrete observation, I have seen Iraqis nowadays who have become wiser and more precautious, and all of whom I have met were keen to maintain unity amongst the Iraqis, period; whether Shi’ah or Sunni, Kurds or Arabs. Iraqis are now prepared to stand against others' interferences in their affairs, and hopefully all conspiracies by Iraq’s enemies shall prove to be unfruitful and impossible.
Name
Mohammed
- United Arab Emirates
Profession
Question
Why aren't Shiites involved in armed resistance against US-led coalition forces in Iraq?
Answer
Dear Mohammed
Shi’ah scholars - like the contemporary Sayyed Hussain Al-Sadr in Baghdad/Khadimiyyah - have declared JIHAD against Iraq’s enemies during the war. However they don’t consider the post-war era – these days especially - as suitable to launch a military resistance. One has to establish peace and utilize all peaceful revenues to achieve it in Iraq. If these peaceful methods fail then one can substantiate the initiation of a military campaign.
Name
Ayman
-
Profession
Question
Do you agree with Sheikh Sistani's statement against Mujahedeen/fighters crossing Iraqi borders to fight against the occupation alongside Iraqis?
Answer
The Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s edict was meant to prohibit all those who are violating Iraq’s sovereignty by illegally crossing Iraq’s border.
Thus it’s not aimed to be against the Mujahideen. He may primarily have designed this Fatwa to remind the Muslim brothers that one has to prioritize Muslims’ struggle against the Zionist occupation of Palestine.
Name
Abdi
-
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu allaycum
How do a person nows if hi is a shiite or sunni
i mean i go to shiite mosques and sunni mosques,Am just a kid and i don't see any difference, did'nt the jews used the stragedy to use the shiite and sunni to divide the four caliphet, and this is what the US is doing right.
Thank u for your time.
Allah nows well.......
Answer
Your question, my dear, reflects the very similarity existing between Shi’ah and Sunni, which definitely proves that all Muslims are members of one UMMAH, regardless of how huge the enemy’s conspiracy is to divide them. The companions of the Prophet (pbuh) worked together and fought side by side against their shared enemy. The Second Caliph remarked that: If it weren’t for Ali, Omar would have surely perished.
If the enemy of the Muslim UMMAH is using the same old deceptional tactics by partitioning Muslims, by magnifying and emphasising their differences, Muslims must prove their wisdom in practice by eschewing any hostility amongst them.
Name
Mamoud
- Turkey
Profession
Question
Do you believe that outsider forces and the occupation forces are conspiring to create schism and differences among Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq?
Answer
Outsider forces are definitely involved in a potential conflict between Shi’ah and Sunnis, as it serves -in the best way- their interests in the region generally, and in Iraq particularly.
Even if one cannot provide concrete evidence to prove this plot; but nevertheless the Coalition forces –who have launched the war- are to be held responsible for any potential conflict amongst the Iraqis in the future.
Name
Meg
- United States
Profession
Question
How do you assess the Sunni-Shiite relationship in Iraq now?
Answer
The Prophet (pbuh) said that all Muslims are like parts of a human body. I believe Iraqis have put this hadith as their ultimate goal which they -all of them- must struggle to embody. At least, this is the majority's viewpoint, with the exception of a few former Ba'athists, who have lost their benefits after the collapse of Saddam's regime.
Name
Jose Yusuf
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum
I am a revert to Islam, Alhumdulilah. Is it possible for a Sunni/ Shiite unification?? Why it hasn't happened?? In Iraq the Non Muslim army aren't asking are u a sunni or a shiite, both are dying. Can we get over it? As a Former Christian, i know that the Worship between a Protestant, Catholic, and Mormom is very different. However, in Islam i can go to either mosque in Jumah and the worship is generally the same and its the same Quran. These conflicts among others are too confusing for New Muslims and potiential Muslims and isn't it the goal of Muslims to practice and promote the Deen?? I love my Shia/Sunni brothers and Sisters but Its Allah we are to serve. Right???
Answer
Dear Joes Yusef,
Firstly: I would not advise you to employ the word (revert) as it indicates a reversion to a wicked former condition, therefore I will call you a human being who embraced Islam aiming to be a better individual.
Secondly: There’re no restrictions for both Shi’ah or Sunni to pray, live and work together serving the Muslim UMMAH, while they are worshiping their One and Unique Lord.
Our target is not the unification by disregarding the different creeds; rather, it is tolerance towards them. Thus the unification is a possible outcome. However, this unification has not taken place due to the ignorance and the already existing prejudgments.
If Muslims had the courage and awareness you had, to inspect and to ultimately admit their founded treasure and detected truth, the Muslim UMMAH’s conditions would improve a lot. I hope Muslims will one day turn back to their great teaching of Islamic sources, i.e. Quran and Sunnah, consensus and their intellects and common sense.
