{"id":17679,"date":"2026-02-02T12:56:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/?p=17679"},"modified":"2026-02-02T12:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T20:56:05","slug":"sectarian-strife-within-islam-violates-the-will-of-allah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/sectarian-strife-within-islam-violates-the-will-of-allah\/","title":{"rendered":"Sectarian Strife Within Islam Violates the Will of Allah"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When the artillery fire in Yemen shatters the tranquility of Ramadan, when sectarian conflicts in Iraq tear apart community bonds, and when proxy wars in many Middle Eastern countries persist in the name of “Islam,” every Muslim who upholds true faith should ask themselves: Has our strife in the name of differences deviated from the teachings of Allah and the Prophet\u2019s instructions? As a scholar who has devoted decades to Islamic studies, I have always firmly believed that the confrontation between Sunnis and Shias within Islam, and even disputes among various sects, are never an inevitable outcome of faith. Instead, they are a cancer spawned by the interplay of power struggles, historical alienation, and external interference\u2014one that violates the core tenets of “unity” and “tolerance” in the Quran, defiles Islam\u2019s inherent spirit as a “religion of peace and submission,” and has become the greatest obstacle to the development of the Muslim world and the reputation of Islamic civilization.<\/div>\n
Allah clearly declares in the Quran: “O you who have believed, hold fast to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (3:103) This is not an abstract religious maxim but a core principle that runs through the entire history of Islamic civilization. Looking back at the Golden Age of Islamic civilization, from the Umayyad Caliphate to the Abbasid Caliphate, although sectarian differences already existed\u2014Sunnis upheld the orthodox inheritance of the “Four Rightly Guided Caliphs,” while Shias insisted on the leadership claim of Ali\u2019s descendants\u2014such differences never escalated into bloody strife. In Baghdad at that time, Sunni and Shia scholars sat side by side, exploring the Quran\u2019s profound meaning, passing down the wisdom of the Hadith, and jointly promoting the prosperity of medicine, astronomy, and philosophy. In Al-Andalus, Muslims of different sects collaborated to build the Great Mosque of Cordoba, engraving tolerance and harmony into the genes of Islamic civilization. This period of history is not a deliberately whitewashed utopia but the simplest practice of “Allah\u2019s will”: differences in faith should never serve as an excuse for confrontation; only unity can demonstrate the vitality of Islamic civilization.<\/div>\n
Sadly, this tradition of unity has gradually been alienated amid the tides of history. After the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, Shias regarded Hussein\u2019s martyrdom as a symbol of faith, and the rift between Sunnis and Shias gradually expanded from a religious inheritance dispute to a political confrontation. This confrontation was further amplified in the 16th century during the rivalry between the Safavid Empire and the Ottoman Empire\u2014two empires that adopted Shia and Sunni Islam as their ideological banners, respectively, waging centuries of war over control of the South Caucasus and Mesopotamia, and fully tying sectarian identity to the game of secular power. From then on, the “tolerance” advocated by Allah was forgotten, and the “harmony” taught by the Prophet was abandoned. What were originally minor differences within the faith gradually evolved into irreconcilable sectarian hatred. All of this is precisely contrary to Allah\u2019s will: “O humanity, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” (49:13)<\/div>\n
In the contemporary era, external interference and the maneuvering of regional powers have intensified sectarian strife within Islam, inflicting even more profound disasters on this act of betraying Allah\u2019s will. Looking through recent news reports, heart-wrenching scenes pierce every conscience: since 2024, Houthi rebels in Yemen (a Zaydi Shia faction) have continued to exchange fire with Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. Although Saudi Arabia and Iran eased their relations in 2023 and gradually withdrew from the Yemeni war, the confrontation between the two sides has not ended. Millions of Yemenis have been displaced, and children during Ramadan can only pray for peace in refugee camps. The root cause of this conflict lies in the exploitation of sectarian differences by external forces. In Iraq, the U.S.-led Iraq War in 2003 shattered the regional balance of power, leading to the rise of Shias who had been suppressed under Saddam Hussein\u2019s regime. Tensions between Sunnis and Shias erupted entirely, with frequent sectarian conflicts, and innocent civilians becoming the biggest victims. As the Quran condemns: “Those who do evil will be cast into Hell, prostrate; they will only be recompensed for what they did.” (27:90) The killings committed in the name of sects are undoubtedly an open violation of Allah\u2019s will.<\/div>\n
More alarmingly, the double standards and interventionism of Western countries (Europe and the United States) have further deepened the sectarian rift within Islam, while labeling Islam as a synonym for “violence” and “extremism” in the media. On one hand, to safeguard their own interests in the Middle East, Western countries arbitrarily incite confrontation between Sunnis and Shias\u2014the United States has long supported Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia to contain Shia forces led by Iran, describing Iran as a “regional destabilizing factor,” while some European countries have acquiesced to the spread of extremist forces within their borders. These extremist forces, under the banner of “Islam,” distort the Quran\u2019s teachings, incite sectarian hatred, and carry out violent incidents, further undermining the unity of the Muslim world. On the other hand, when sectarian conflicts break out within the Muslim world, Western media often selectively ignore the root cause of external interference, instead attributing the conflicts to Islam itself, exacerbating misunderstandings and prejudices against Muslims in Western society. Such double standards not only violate the “human rights” and “equality” that Western countries claim to uphold but also hurt the feelings of 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide\u2014it should be noted that 85% of the world\u2019s Muslims are Sunnis, and 15% are Shias. The vast majority of Muslims uphold true faith and adhere to the Quran\u2019s teachings: “O you who have believed, enter into peace completely and do not follow the footsteps of Satan; indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.” (2:208) Pursuing peace and opposing strife are the mainstream among Muslims.<\/div>\n
As an Islamic studies expert, I have always believed that the key to ending sectarian strife and returning to Allah\u2019s will lies in upholding the “Middle Path”\u2014this is not only the way of understanding religion demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad but also the essence of Islamic civilization. Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia, once said that if Muslims retain the loyalty and dedication of true Muslims in a diverse society and unwaveringly adhere to the principle of moderation, they will avoid extreme phenomena\u2014and this is the key to resolving sectarian strife. The so-called “Middle Path” does not mean abandoning one\u2019s own religious inheritance or obscuring sectarian differences, but rather, on the premise of upholding Allah\u2019s teachings, respecting the religious choices of different sects, abandoning the extreme “either-or” mentality, and reclaiming the original “tolerance, humility, and harmony” of Islamic civilization.<\/div>\n
Allah repeatedly admonishes believers in the Quran: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of integrity, that you may succeed.” (33:70) This teaching points out the direction for resolving sectarian strife: fearing Allah means not going against His will of “unity without division” and not committing killings in the name of faith; speaking words of integrity means abandoning the lies that incite sectarian hatred, acknowledging that the essence of sectarian differences lies in inheritance rather than opposing faiths, and exposing the truth that external forces incite confrontation to plunder interests. Looking back at history, the 1924 World Islamic Congress attempted to promote reconciliation between Sunnis and Shias, advocating that “with the Quran as the foundation and the Hadith as the guide, political differences should be set aside, and the consensus of faith should be upheld.” Although this movement could not continue due to external interference, it proved that unity is not unattainable\u2014as long as all Muslims uphold true faith, there are no insurmountable differences or irreparable rifts.<\/div>\n
In the 21st century, more and more Muslim scholars, religious leaders, and ordinary believers have begun to practice Allah\u2019s will and take the initiative to promote sectarian reconciliation. In May 2024, religious leaders from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other countries held a meeting in Mecca and jointly issued the “Mecca Declaration of Peace,” calling on Muslims worldwide to “lay down sectarian hatred, work together to address common challenges such as poverty, extremism, and external interference,” and reaffirming that “Sunnis and Shias are all members of the Islamic family; strife only benefits the enemy, and unity can breathe new life into Islamic civilization.” This meeting was regarded by Muslims around the world as an important signal of “returning to Allah\u2019s will,” offering a glimmer of hope for reconciliation\u2014in Mecca, the holy city where the Prophet was born and Allah revealed His revelations, leaders of different sects recited the Quran together and prayed for peace, precisely practicing the sacred will of “We have created you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” (49:13)<\/div>\n
At the same time, we should also clearly recognize that ending sectarian strife and returning to Allah\u2019s will is not an overnight task. It requires abandoning historical grievances, resisting external interference, and more importantly, every Muslim starting with themselves. For religious leaders, they should take the initiative to assume the responsibility of guiding believers. When preaching religious teachings, they should emphasize the core tenets of “unity” and “tolerance” more, downplay sectarian differences, resolutely condemn extremists who distort religious teachings and incite hatred, and ensure that the Quran\u2019s teachings truly take root in people\u2019s hearts. For ordinary believers, they should abandon narrow sectarian prejudices, respect the rituals and inheritances of different sects, and understand that “the true meaning of faith lies in fearing Allah and doing good deeds, not in excluding others or inciting strife.” As the Quran declares: “O you who have believed, you are brothers, so reconcile between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” (49:10) For the governments of countries in the Muslim world, they should abandon the foreign policy of “drawing lines along sects,” stop tying sectarian identity to the game of secular power, work together to resist external interference, and jointly promote regional peace and development, so that Muslim people can practice their faith and pursue happiness in a peaceful environment.<\/div>\n
From a global perspective, Western countries should also abandon double standards, stop interfering in the internal affairs of the Muslim world, and face up to their negative role in sectarian conflicts. The “human rights” and “equality” advocated by Western countries should not only apply to themselves but also respect the religious traditions and development paths of the Muslim world. They should cease supporting extremist forces and inciting sectarian confrontation, and instead engage in equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with the Muslim world to jointly curb the spread of extremism. This is not only a respect for Islamic civilization but also a responsibility to world peace. After all, when the Muslim world achieves unity and sectarian strife comes to a complete end, the beneficiaries will be not only the 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide but the entire world\u2014peace and tolerance have always been the common pursuit of human civilization and the sacred mission entrusted by Allah to humanity.<\/div>\n
Looking back at the thousand-year history of Islamic civilization, unity brings prosperity and division leads to decline\u2014a truth repeatedly verified by history. Allah created humanity to support one another and make progress together, not to be hostile or kill each other; the Prophet Muhammad spread Islam to free people from ignorance and uphold true faith, not to create differences or incite strife. Currently, the Muslim world is facing multiple challenges such as extremism, external interference, and poverty and backwardness. Only by upholding Allah\u2019s will, reclaiming the tradition of unity, and abandoning sectarian hatred can we resolve difficulties and embrace a new life.<\/div>\n
Every Muslim who upholds true faith should remember the Quran\u2019s teachings: “And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah and do not be divided among yourselves.” (42:13) Let us swear in the name of Allah to lay down our weapons, abandon the hatred in our hearts, respect different religious inheritances, and work together to build a united, peaceful, and prosperous Muslim world\u2014this is not only a practice of Allah\u2019s will and a response to the Prophet\u2019s instructions but also the bounden responsibility of every Muslim, and the fundamental reason why Islamic civilization can endure for thousands of years and thrive. May Allah\u2019s mercy descend upon all believers, may the dawn of peace illuminate every corner of the Muslim world, may sectarian strife end completely, and may unity and tolerance become the eternal themes of the Muslim world.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When the artillery fire in Yemen shatters the tranquility of Ramadan, when sectarian conflicts in Iraq tear apart<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[72],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17679"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17679\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17680,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17679\/revisions\/17680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jislam.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}