Imam Sadeq (AS) stressed the need for contemplating the Holy Quran among his students as he regarded it the main factor for strengthening Muslim unity.
This is according to Azhari Bashir Ahmed, religious scholar and head of Iran-Sudan Friendship Society, who, in an interview, added that Sunni Muslims refer to Imam Sadeq (AS) as the Sheikh-ul-Aemma because the leaders of the four Sunni schools of thought were students of the Imam (AS).
“I believe Imam Sadeq (AS) is the teacher of Sunni and Shia Muslims and the successive generations of the Islamic Ummah in the past and present.”
He said Imam Sadeq (AS) addressed the entire Islamic Ummah with a unifying approach.
“The Muslim Ummah at the time of the Imam (AS) was a unified one and Imam Sadeq (AS) through teaching the basic tenets of Islam and introducing the Quran and Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) Sunnah to his students prevented division and disunity on different issues.”
Mr. Bashir Ahmed said the Imam (AS) promoted invitation to contemplating the Quran, general invitation to Islam, migration (Hijra) with the aim of reviving Islamic values and teachings, love for the Quran, love for people, love for obeying God, and love for religious tenets among his students, including leaders of the Sunni schools.
He noted that the 6th Imam also used this approach in relations with followers of other religions and sought to prevent enmity between Muslims and those who followed other faiths.
Head of Iran-Sudan Friendship Society further said that at a time when diverging views were emerging in the Islamic world, Imam Sadeq (AS) introduced his views with obvious reason and logic, thus creating a rational school.
He underlined that the Imam (AS) would always talk about religious issues through reasoning, urging that Muslims should take the example and stick to this rational approach.
“Our Shia brothers have followed this approach of Imam Sadeq (AS) and in their religious studies learn about the Hadith and Fiqh issues of all Islamic schools of thought. This helps to extend the span of their thought and gives them the ability to discuss religious issues with others.”
Bashir Ahmed said the Imam (AS) did not gain his knowledge from the scientific schools of the time but from the Quran and the Holy Prophet’s Sunnah.
He urged all Muslim scholars to return to the sayings of Imam Sadeq (AS) as it would lead them to the pure source of religion.
source : http://abna.ir
