AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The 17th day of the lunar Hijri month of Rabi al-Awwal is the anniversary of the birthday of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Sadiq (AS), according to Shia Muslims.
These two prominent figures who are bright stars of the history of humanity were both infallible and followed the same Seerah.
An outstanding common point in the Seerahs of these two great figures in dealing with Muslims in Islamic society, even those who did not agree with them, was the creation of unity in Islamic society.
Both the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Sadiq (AS) had made creating unity and rapport among Muslims their main strategy in management of Islamic society and dealing with Muslims and believers. This is while both lived in a society in which some or most of people were not in agreement with them but that did not caused the two great figures to abandon this strategy.
As for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the first reality that should be emphasized is that he brought to society a perfect and comprehensive religion called Islam. In the Holy Quran, which has been revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), creating unity among members of the Islamic society is a major strategy. For instance, the Quan says, “And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter. Remember the Favor of Allah bestowed upon you when you were enemies, and how He united your hearts, so that by His Favor you became brothers.” (Verse 103 of Surah Al Imran)
Or in Verse 46 of Surah Anfal, God says, “Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another lest you should lose courage and your resolve weaken. Have patience Allah is with those who are patient.”
Basically, the name Islam that has given to this religion refers in its original sense to creating peace and unity. The root of the word Islam is ‘silm’ which means peace, friendship and integrity. The Quran says in Verse 208 of Surah Al-Baqarah, “Believers, all of you, enter Silm (the peace) and do not follow in Satan's footsteps; he is a clear enemy to you.” This verse underlines the fundamental principle of Islam in the social dimension, which is creating peace, friendship and unity in the Islamic society and preventing discord and disunity in it.
In the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) we see that he made great efforts to create rapport and unity in the society. In different times, he established Aqd al-ukhuwwah (brotherhood contracts) among Muslims, especially between Muhajirun and Ansar.
One of the social rifts in Medina society at the time was between Muhajirun and Ansar, and this rift had the potential to create and activate differences and disputes in society. Once, a hypocrite named Abdullah ibn Ubbay tried to activate this rift by calling for the expulsion of Muhajirun from Medina but the Holy Prophet (PBUH) severely confronted him and Surah al-Munafiqun was revealed about this person.
In the Seerah of Imam Sadiq (AS), too, we can see manifestations of creating unity in the Islamic Ummah. First of all, it should be noted that Imam Sadiq (AS) did not choose to live in Kufah, which was the main center of Shia Muslims. He resided in Medina where there were not many Shias.
Moreover, many of the students of Imam Sadiq (AS), whose number is estimated at 4,000, were not Shias and some of them like Abu Hanifah, Malik ibn Anas, Sufyan al-Thawri, Uzaei, and others were among the main common scholars. Imam Sadiq’s (AS) behavior was such that it attracted all of them to his lessons.
A key point in studying how Imam Sadiq (AS) dealt with Muslims in general is to remember the fact that sectarianism and making sects was very common at that time. Any scholar who became prominent would gather disciples around him and establish a sect. Most of these sects have disappeared but some jurisprudential and theological schools have remained, such as Hanafiyah and Malikiyah among Sunnis and Zaydiyah and Ismailiyah among Shias. In such conditions, Imam Sadiq (AS) not only did not seek to create sects and separate the path of Shias from that of other Muslims, but he would urge Shias to live together with other Muslims, according to Hadiths. It is hoped that Shias remain committed to the Seerah of Imam Sadiq (AS) and be a Zinat (adornment) for him.
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