It was eve of 5th Moharram, 1433 hijri, when a momentary silence blanketed the gathering at a prominent imambargah of Karachi. The cause, speaker referred to a hadith coming from Hazrat Aisha. He then explained the need of showing respect to personalities of Islamic history who were neither dishonored by Quran nor by Ahl e Bayt.
I expected a string of text messages to flow after this, rebuking the speaker. I expected lesser crowd next day at the majlis. I expected all hush hush commentary on the speaker’s remarks. To my sheer relief, none of the sort happened. This kind of acceptance was not something one would have anticipated a few years back.
At the other end of the spectrum too, a similar emphasis on convergence of beliefs is evident. Last week on facebook, I came across videos of a sunni scholar who was presenting argument in favour of the claim that Hazrat Ali ibn e Abi Talib (A.S) was the most honorable amongst all companions of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W)- an integral belief of shia ideology-with reference to sayings of First Caliph.
Today, on one of the prominent Pakistani TV channels, again a sunni scholar was found praising the purified family of Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) in light of the verse of Mubahila from Holy Quran- a reference often used by followers of shia sect.
This growing mutuality of understanding is not just confined to scholars of both sects, but seeps down to common man. I met, in my comparatively small but fortunately diversified social gathering, individuals from shia sect who choose to study the Sahih books of ahadees- generally Sahih’s are linked with sunni school of thought- and those from sunni sect who are awe inspired by the personality of Hazrat Abbas (A.S)-a revered historical figure of the shia sect.
There are those sunnis who support Iran, its policies and governmental form. There are those shias who support the resistance of Hamas in Palestine.
No doubt these are relatively small changes in respect to terrorist attacks being carried out on shia processions and sunni mosques. There are still many who harbor animosity against their neighbours based on sectarian identities. Even today not many people know the fundamental doctrine of these two schools of thought.
However, the rising spirit of coherence among scholars of both sects, as well as among those at grass roots level, holds in it the promise of hope, and I feel like clinging to it.
I agree with you Narjis. People really have become tolerant now, in fact they support the minorities who choose to practise their beliefs openly. This was not the case few years back. Now, even though security threats have become a major issue, common man have become comparatively tolerant and cooperate towards all security arrangements which restricts their own lives for no reason just so that the processions can go on safely. Well written :)
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