Imam Musa Sadr was one of the most remarkable exponents of convergence of the Muslim World so that such a significant orientation was high on his agenda for structural reform in Lebanon and the Muslim world.
He emphasized the realization of the collectivist ideas of Islam with the provincial context and sought to realize a model of the social fabric of Islam, which was to become active through the establishment of links and consolidation of social relations.
He believes that religious life depends on diversity. He did not use negative sentences at all. Sadr believes that considering the principle of mutual respect, if we can bring together these different thoughts, colors and experiences together and benefit from it for cooperation.
Convergence or proximity is one of the strategies to achieve balance and interaction in the Muslim world. Thus, a great many of Sunni-Shia thinkers have been concerned to bring the Islamic sects together, formulating a variety of procedures.
Unity never means falling short in religious beliefs
It is clear that unity and proximity never means giving up one’s religion or falling short in religious beliefs. Islamic unity seeks the convergence of the Islamic Community towards common goals and against common enemies and challenges. Naturally, for any type of convergence, everyone must know other’s beliefs properly before any practical step is taken. This mutual understanding is precisely the duty and responsibility that is in the authority of religious scholars and all Muslim elites.
One of inner yearnings of Imam Musa Sadr was for Islamic Ummah to become united
One of the deep hopes and inner yearnings of Imam Musa Sadr was for the Islamic ummah to become united in all corners of the world. From the onset of his youth while still occupied with his studies in the seminary in Qom, he used to reflect over this quite seriously and, made a concerted effort. In various gatherings of the seminary he would bring up the topic, often in the presence of senior teachers.
In 1947, while not having reached his twentieth birthday, when he was informed of ‘Allamah Amini’s arrival to Tehran from Najaf and the fact that he would be residing there for a few days, he took the opportunity to hurry to Tehran with a close friend in order to visit the ‘Allamah. In the midst of discussing various scholarly matters with him, Imam Musa Sadr began to speak of unity between the Shias and the Sunnis, particularly in the face of a common enemy. In expounding on this topic, he defended his own positions for his teacher.1 It is as if God had placed this yearning within his core being as a gift for the Islamic ummah.
Imam Musa Sadr laid foundations for friendship with Ahlul-Sunnah scholars
Accordingly, years later, when Imam Musa Sadr entered Lebanon in 1959, as soon as the opportune moment presented itself in the very same year, he laid the foundations for friendship with the Ahl al-Sunnah scholars. As an example, one can mention the lasting relationship that he established with Muhyi Ad-Din Hassan (the Mufti of the Ahlul-Sunnah in Lebanon). This relationship became so dear and cordial that people became used to seeing the two of them together on most auspicious occasions such as the Eid of Ghadir, the nights of the Month of Ramadhan and the days leading up to Ashura.
The two of them would ascend the pulpit in a shared location such as the Qadim Mosque or the Nadi of Imam Sadiq (AS), and the people would listen to the talks of both a Shia and a Sunni. It was such that if someone from a different city entered the gathering and was not aware of the denominational backgrounds of these two speakers, they would not be able to distinguish which of the two was Shia and which Sunni.
Imam Musa Sadr established beneficial relationships between different Islamic Centers
Imam Musa Sadr used to say, “There is no inconsistency or difference between the Shia and the Sunni. They are both the followers of one united religion.” With this philosophy, he intensified his conciliatory activities in Lebanon. During his two-month visit to the countries of North Africa in the summer of 1963, in a historical and original initiative, he was able to establish long-lasting and beneficial relationships between the different Islamic Center in Egypt, Western Africa, and the Persian Gulf states and the Shia denominational centers in Lebanon.
Imam Musa Sadr could pave way for unity of Muslim world
Moreover he attended the conferences, and gave papers on different subjects associated with the Islamic Ummah, so that he could pave the way for the unity of the Muslim world. His unity-seeking solutions are among the innovative subjects, the consideration of which may open up new horizons for the future.
Sources: www.al-islam.org , Haftasman.urd.ac.ir, Sciarena
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