آنچه در ادامه می خوانید
Aspects of commonality and interaction are of the constant debates concerning Sunnis and Shiites which have been explained and investigated from different aspects, and the nature issue of “unity”. The expression of these positions by the spiritual representative of the Sunni community can be very helpful and make the path clear. Therefore, in this issue of Roshana, we have arranged an interview with “Abdul-Razzaq Rahbar Bukhari”, the Imam of Ahl-e-Sunnah in “Aq Qala” city. Abdul-Razzaq Rahbar Bukhari, the cleric and imam of the Turkmen Sahra and the Turkmens of Iran, and is a member of the World Forum for the Approximation of Islamic Religions and the Islamic Azad University of Golestan province. He is also the head of the “Assembly of Sunni Scholars in Iran”.
– To start, please explain about the commonalities of Shia and Sunni in different religious, cultural and social aspects?
There is no difference between Shia and Sunni; because the Almighty God states in the Holy Quran:
“ الاسلام مله واحده”
“Islam is one nation”,
“لا فرق بین عربی و لا اعجمی و لا اسود و لا ابیض الا بالتقوی”،
“There is no difference between Arabic and non-Arabic, and the black and the white except for piety”.
The privilege of each person is his/her piety and the strength of his/her faith and that he/she has a firm belief in the Holy Prophet (P.H.), the pure Imams and the Household of the prophet (peace be upon them). Our culture is the culture of the Holy Prophet (P.H.). The Holy Prophet (PBUH) didn’t make any difference between black and white people or between ethnicities, he took the hand of “Salman Farsi” who was from Fars and Shiraz and said:
“سلمان منا اهل‌البیت”
“Salman is from us, the Household of the prophet”.
This statement was due to the power of Salman Farsi’s spirituality. Or “Sohaib Rumi”, who was a Christian before, but had a great interest in the Holy Prophet and his companions and the Household of the prophet and the Holy Prophet said:
“صهیب منا اهل‌البیت”
“Sohaib is from us, the Household of the prophet”.
Also, because Balal Habashi was black and from Abyssinia, the Arabs and the society of that time were reluctant to live with a black man, but the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: There is no difference, and whoever has a strong faith is a member of my Household.
“بلال منا اهل‌البیت”
In Islam, there is no difference between ethnicities and even religions. According to clergymen practicing religious jurisprudence religions are mercy. In every religion, mujtahid’s opinion is respected. For example, some things may be permissible according to one mujtahid, but it may be obligatory according to another mujtahid. However, the main proposition is:
“قولوا لا اله الا الله تفلحوا“
“Say there is no god but Allah to be saved.”
– You mentioned the difference; Where do you think this difference comes from?
The difference, first of all, comes from the love of the world. All of us follow the pure Islam, otherwise, there is no difference between Shia and Sunni,
“قل لا اسئلکم علیه اجراً الا الموده فی‌القربی”[۱]
The Sunni is the true one who believes in the Prophet and the Household of the prophet. Shia is the same and there is no difference. Our culture is the culture of unity. There is also a culture of belief in the Household of the prophet (peace be upon them) among the Sunnis. There are many hadiths in this regard among the Sunnis, in which the Holy Prophet said:
“ادبوا اولادکم علی ثلاث خصال؛ حب القران، حب النبی و حب اهل‌بیت النبی”[۲]
Educate your children with three traits: love of the Qur’an, love of the Prophet and love of the Household of the Prophet”. This is the axis of Sunni and Shia Muslim culture. Today, some Salafists or Wahhabis are trying to create differences among Muslims, otherwise we are not different in terms of belief. Every religion has its own mujtahid’s ijtihad; For example, Hanafi is interested in the opinion of Mujtahid Abu Hanifah or Imam Shafi’i, or Shia is interested in the opinion of Imam Jafar Sadiq. The Sunnis are also interested in Imam Jafar Sadiq, but from the point of view of jurisprudence, they follow the path and act according to the opinion of a mujtahid, but they all ultimately reach the culture of the holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet.
– Today, we are witnessing the spread of a kind of intellectual skepticism in some religious communities, which tries to create heresy in some religious foundations, especially the hijab issue; give your opinion as a representative of the Sunni community?
Hijab is a matter in the religious law and a Quranic order:
«… و لایبدین زینتهن الا لبعولتهن”[۳]
There are many hadiths about hijab, even if a part of a woman’s organ is seen while performing the prayer, her prayer will be void. It is the same for men, and what is called penis, if it is seen, his prayer will be invalid and his hajj will not be valid. In Hajj, it has been emphasized that if women do not wear full hijab, their circumambulation will be incomplete and according to some mujtahids, it will be invalid, but the cultures that have been spread now have been primarily injected from false and rebellious cultures, especially the culture of Zionism, which is the biggest enemy of Islam, Muslims which says:
“لتجدن اشد الناس عداوه للذین امنوا الیهود”[۴]
Certainly, the mischief that is popular among the youth or the rudeness [boldness] that is done towards the Qur’an or an Imam originates from the Zionist culture. They start enmity to achieve their sinister goals.
– As a representative of the Sunni community, what is your opinion about the Baha’i cult?
Baha’ism takes its orders from Judaism. We consider Baha’is as apostates, this is the opinion of Shia and Sunni; because they worship people other than God, and worshiping other than God is disbelief. Even according to some mujtahids and Sunni jurists, trading with them is forbidden, buying and selling and marriage are invalid, even shaking hands with them is discreditable.
– What is your opinion about supporting Baha’ism in any form? Do you consider it permissible?
I have nothing to do with anyone, whoever they are or in whatever position, [generally] loving them [the Baha’is] is neither good nor correct. It is the text of the holy Qur’an that says:
“ولا ترکنوا الی الذین ظلموا فتمسکم النار”[۵]
Anyway, whoever has affection or tenderness towards them [the Baha’is], the fire of hell will come to him on the Day of Resurrection.
– These days, we are witnessing various actions against the Palestinian people; Now, my question is, what is your opinion as a Sunni scholar of Iran, regarding the normalization of relations between some Islamic countries and the Zionist regime?
Communication and closeness with Zionism is not allowed at all. In Zionism, there are two tribes named “Bani Nazir” and “Bani Qorayza”. The Holy Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, could not sleep for long nights. One of the caliphs came and said, “O Messenger of God! I see you in a state of sadness. At that time, Bani Nazir and Banu Qorayzah were extreme Jewish clans. The Prophet said: “As long as you don’t drive them out of the Arabian Peninsula, I will not sleep peacefully.” Our culture is:
“لقد کان لکم فی رسول‌الله اسوه حسنه”[۶]
So, we must fight against Zionism to the best of our ability, even in my opinion, the biggest thing that if forbidden for religion is Zionism and Jews. Of course, we have nothing to do with the peaceful Jew, the holy Qur’an invites it to be good and reform:
“یا اهل‌الکتاب، تعالو الی کلمه سواء بیننا و بینکم ان لا نعبد الا الله”[۷]
They should be tolerated, but the Holy Prophet is a character who was inspired by the Unseen:
“انک لتهدی الی صراط مستقیم”[۸]
O’ Messenger! You are the cause of guidance for the straight path. For this reason, the Holy Prophet was worried about the presence of two evil cults of Zionism, namely Bani Nazir and Bani Qurayzah. It is even in Sunni narrations that some of them were expelled during the conquests of Damascus during the time of the second Caliph. Salah al-Din Ayyubi, may God have mercy on him, also fought a lot against Zionism. In every age, there is a brave and hero character, in our age Imam Khomeini (RA) came. The first culture of Imam (RA) was that Zionism must be destroyed. Every Muslim brings a bucket of water, it means that all Muslims come and think together to destroy Zionism. As the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, I do not sleep peacefully, the Imam’s biggest concern was to remove Zionism from the earth. Now – thanks God – his successor, the Supreme Leader, is also the most concerned.
God does not make everyone the leader and Imam! There is definitely a spiritual treasure within their hearts, they understand very well what we do not understand. We may see the appearance of the case, but the culture of the prophets, scholars and guardians is an inspired one that they understand very well. How can this ijtihad or spiritual culture permeate into a youth’s heart who does not pray? It is a satanic culture, and this satanic culture is also dangerous for humans. It is said that:
“لکل انسان قرین من الشیطان”
It is also said:
“…قرین من الجن”
In every human, there is a friend and companion of Jinn. They asked: “Is it in you too?” He said:
“نعم ولکن اسلمت جنیتی”
“My jinn surrendered and became a Muslim by my hand. We have a tradition that goes there is a jinn in every human being, we must surrender them to ourselves with spiritual power.
– With thanks and wishes for success for His Highness.
[۱] Surah Shuri, verse 23
[۲] Kanz al-Ommal: 45409
[۳] Surah Noor, verse 31.
[۴] Surah Ma’edah, verse 82.
[۵] Surah Hud, verse 113
[۶] Surah Ahzab, verse 21
[۷] Surah Al-Imran, verse 64
[۸] Tanbih al-Khwatar: 213/2
