Definition of Islamic Unity

It has been the objective and goal of all societies and communities, whether at individual or collective level, to achieve success and prosperity and in order to achieve this target, they have designed the plan of action. The correct way and behavior, particularly its selection among the collective atmosphere, to reach the goal and to achieve the success, are among all such issues, which can’t be obtained without complete awareness and alertness. For a collective move to present a plan of action in view of its complicacy, it highlights the need for the deep outlook about the relevant issues and a comprehensive view about it and also well understanding of correct views and principles with regard to social relations.
The Islamic Ummah too as a society is forced to take steps carefully to tread the path of its collective move and to achieve success, the course of action, collective laws and peculiarities of which have been described in Islamic teachings and laws. Besides, the need for deep and serious study of religious teachings for the correct derivation of these peculiarities and their conformity with the campaign and movement of contemporary Islamic society, there is inevitable need of being aware about the requirements and issues of Islamic Ummah and the possible threats and challenges facing them, weighing of their capability and worthiness and awareness about opportunities.
In the meanwhile the other personalities of Islamic Ummah like Imam Khomeini (R.A) and Ayatullah al-Uzma Sayyid Ali Khamenei, have taken steps to guide the divine society with their full awareness about Islamic teachings and peculiarities about Islamic society towards the right direction. They have taken steps to resolve the challenges and threats of Islamic society with their full awareness and insight.
The issue of discord and division among Muslims is a great threat in the way of movement of Islamic society. It is because of this, Imam Khomeini (R.A) used to criticize the discord and division, while referring to the need of unity among Muslims on different occasions. He used to say: “It is our duty that in whatever dress we may be, or what post and position we are holding, we should always, while keeping away from discord and disunity, think about Islamic unity, about which Quran and Sunnah has emphasized. We should elevate the truth and try to degrade the falsehoodâ€‌. The Grand Ayatullah, Sayyid Ali Khamenei also, while declaring discordances the root cause of disease for Islamic society, has always repeatedly insisted upon the need of unity among Muslims.
Under this collection, we shall try to highlight the need of Islamic unity and the possible threats over the structure of Islamic society due to disunity. Hope that the statements and sayings of his Excellency would serve as a torch of guidance for the followers of dear Islam.
At the every outset, it is necessary to explain the meaning of unity so that it would become clear that what is the goal of recommendations and admonitions of the religious personalities about this important issue. The grand Ayatullah, Hazrat Sayyid Ali Khamenei has elucidated the reality of unity and the attributes and obligations of expectations of Muslims about it in his lectures on different occasions. In his opinion, the need of unity and coherence between different Islamic sects in view of common challenges and in view of defense of Islam against common enemy are enumerated as different aspects of Islamic unity.

The Meaning of Islamic Unity
The Islamic unity doesn’t mean that different sects have to keep away from their theological and jurisprudential doctrines. Instead, the unity among Muslims means that the presence of both of them is essential. Firstly, the different sects (Shia and Sunni), who have their own jurisprudential and theological sects existing, have to be united and should help and assist each other in order to confront the enemies of Islam.
The second thing is that the different sects of Muslims should themselves try to come close to each other. They should bring the unanimity, harmony, and compatibility into existence. There are so many jurisprudential laws (fatwa)existing that if scholarly approach is adopted in its deliberations, it is possible that after slight changes, both the sects can come close to each other.

The Islamic Unity is not Denial of Religions
The Grand Ayatullah, Hazrat Sayyid Ali Khamenei while referring towards this important aspect that the unity among different groups of Muslims doesn’t mean the denial of their belief and faith, but for the achievement of required Islamic unity it is important that all these groups while retaining their identity, should provide the hand of friendship and cooperation to each other.
All the Islamic sects whether Shia or Sunni or different sects of Sunni should take a serious note of the subject of Islamic unity and understand it well. The significance and meaning of Islamic unity is also clear. It doesn’t mean that other sects should intermingle with any other sect. Some people deny other sects for achieving unity. The denial of sects is in no way a solution to the problem; instead the conformity of the religions is key to the obscure. All these sects may perform their duties at their own places but they should bring harmony in their relations.
I have been well observing the hands of these ill designers particularly during recent years, who started their attacks after the success of Islamic revolution, but due to strong stance of Islamic revolution and its dynamic leader, Imam Khomeini, their assaults proved to be unsuccessful. However, in connection with spreading of differences and tension among different circles of Islamic sects their designs and attempts have turned the situation terrible.
The enemies have all along been opposite to the unity of Muslims. The history too is a witness for all this. But today when the victorious flag of Islam stands furling, these enemies are more frightened with Islam than before.