Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, who said: « And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you – when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. » Aal-i-Imran -103

And blessings and peace be upon the noble Messenger who said, “The example of the believers in their love and pity for each other is like the example of a body, if one limb of the body feels pain, the whole body suffers from sleeplessness and fever.” [reported by Muslim]. Peace and blessings be also upon his family, companions and those who follow his footsteps with goodness till the Day of Resurrection.

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy, following with bitterness and desolation through the mass media the dissent and differences between the followers of certain currents, especially some Shiite scholars and some Sunni scholars in some Muslim countries, which remind us of the danger of such practices and statements. For they can have harmful consequences on the unity of the Ummah and its ability to face its enemies and deal with the challenges it faces at all levels and in all fields.

The Academy expresses its concern over these differences which may have a detrimental effect on the efforts to strengthen brotherly relations among the followers of different Islamic schools, away from sectarian fanaticism and intellectual immobility, in order to safeguard the supreme interests of the Muslims in the highly difficult conditions the Ummah is going through. This comes in fulfillment of the contents of the final declaration and wise recommendations issued by the extraordinary conference of the Third Islamic Summit held in Makkah at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud – may Allah be pleased with him – between 5-6 Dhu el-Qi’da 1426 corresponding to 7-8 December 2005. The statement said: “The Congress calls for fighting against fanaticism behind religion and schools, not to fall into excommunicating the followers of Islamic schools. It also insisted on strengthening the dialogue between them and consolidating moderation and tolerance”.

The following is included in the decisions relating to the program of the Ten Year Action Plan the Organization of the Islamic Conference in axis IV relating to intellectual and political issues, which is entitled “Pluralism of Schools”:

• To emphasize the need to strengthen the dialogue between Islamic schools, the religious sincerity of their followers, the unlawfulness of excommunicating them and the sanctity of their blood, honor and property as long as they believe in Allah The Almighty and His Prophet PBUH, and as long as they practice the pillars of faith and abide by the laws of Islam without denying any unchangeable and evident rituals
• To denounce the audacity of some people who indulge in fatwas without being entitled to do so. This is a transgression of the constant and scientific religious laws of all Islamic schools, and it is an obligation to respect the methodology of issuing fatwas as established by the scholars and in accordance with the two resolutions of the Organization of the Islamic Conference held in Amman in July 2005, and in the recommendations of the preparatory forum of this summit, held at the invitation of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in Makkah on 9-11 November 2005.

Resolution number 152 (1/17) of the Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy emphasized on Islam and the unity of the Ummah, religious and educational denominations and schools, which was adopted in the seventeenth session held in Amman (Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan) in 1427, corresponding to 2006, which emphasized that the divergence of scholars is limited only to some issues (detail and sometimes fundamental), and it is a mercy. This resolution reiterates its acknowledgment of the Islamic schools, dialogue, meeting, and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between these schools, while rejecting any form of disagreement and division. It also calls on them to unite their commitments and positions, have mutual respect, strengthen the solidarity between their peoples and governments, and reinforce the bonds of brotherhood that unite them for the sake of Allah. They must drive out all discord and intrusion within their ranks, in accordance with the words of Allah The Almighty « The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. » Al-Hujurat -10

His Excellency the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference called for holding a meeting of the heads and representatives of Islamic schools on 24/05/2008 to discuss the best ways and measures to implement the recommendations of the OIC ten-year action program in this regard. The meeting participants concluded that the International Islamic Fiqh Academy should establish a comprehensive strategy on the topic of rapprochement between the schools that all should respect. The Academy has implemented this strategy and it was adopted in the second meeting held on 28/6/2008. This strategy will be presented in a plenary congress organized by the Academy in cooperation with the OIC for its approval and implementation measures aimed at the rapprochement of the followers of different schools in all levels and fields. Among the postulates of this strategy is the need to refuse any proselytizing by one school in the territory of another school, within the framework of mutual respect and the prohibition of manifesting anything that may generate discord and opposition.

The International Advisory Academy welcomed and confirmed these recommendations and the principle of rapprochement between schools; this council works under the aegis of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization “ISESCO” affiliated to the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Let everyone follow these recommendations seriously, sincerely and work to strengthen the bonds of unity and exclude anything that may generate discord and opposition. Allah The Almighty said: « and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. » Al-Anfal -46

Prof. Abdulsalam Al-Abbadi

SG of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.