“The first step in responding to that is that, you and I must stay away from everything related to sectarian movement. Do not be a member of any sectarian movement. It is only when you stand outside of the sectarian divide, only then you have credentials to address it. After you have declared that, I am not this and I am not that, I am a Muslim, now you have to work to bring the Sufi and the Salafi together. Is it possible? yes it is….
The way to unity is to begin with the Masjid… And in the Masjid we strive and struggle to ensure; only that is permitted in the house of Allah, which is based on the Qur’an and on the universally accepted Sunnah. Whether you are a Sufi or a Salafi, or Shia or Sunni, or this or that or the other, when you come to this Masjid and you accept the Qur’an and the Sunnah, then everybody will worship together in unity. This is my formula for uniting the people…
(For example) if I want to celebrate Miladunnabi The birth anniversary of Prophet (SA), that’s not in the Qur’an or Sunnah, but large number of Muslims do it. And they have been doing it for long long years, I think boxing gloves (making critical remarks on their beliefs) will be more damaging (for the unity of the Ummah) than beneficial. So if you want to wage war (against them) you go and do it, I’m not going to do it. I would say if you want to celebrate Miladunnabi, do it in the private, don’t bring it in the public, that’s all….”
Transcribed and posted by Deenuzzaman Choudhury from Malaysia 2011 Lecture Tour.
Wa ‘alaikum assalaam!
I do not discuss sectarian issues. I firmly oppose sectarianism. I am not Brelvi – never was and never will be. I am not Deobandi – never was and never will be. I am not wahhabi – never was and never will be.
However, my teacher who taught me was a Sufi Shaikh and I honor and love and respect him as well as all authentic Sufi Shuyukh.
My teacher was never Brelvi, never Deobandi,etc
Those who are in any way uncomfortable with me are free to turn to others for knowledge and guidance.
No more questions on this subject please!!!
Imran N. Hosein