Hajj: A Manifestation of Islamic Unity in view of martyred Leader of Islamic Republic

The martyred Leader of Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, consistently emphasized the unity of Shia and Sunni as the key to the dignity and strength of the Islamic world, characterizing the promotion of discord as a long-standing plot by enemies. In this context, the Hajj pilgrimage, as the largest gathering of Muslims worldwide, serves as an unparalleled stage for the brotherhood, equality, and empathy of followers of various denominations. Amidst the sites of Safa and Marwa, Mina, and Arafat, religious differences fade, and all pilgrims are united under the cloak of oneness. This article attempts to explore the late leader’s perspectives on the necessity of Islamic unity, the role of Hajj in demonstrating Muslim solidarity, and strategies to counter the divisive conspiracies of enemies.

Unity among the Islamic Ummah is not merely a political slogan but a Quranic and historical necessity. The Holy Quran refers to believers as a “single community” (Ummah Wahida), and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described Muslims as a single body; if one limb suffers, the rest of the body responds with sleeplessness and fever. Nevertheless, both old and new colonial powers have consistently counted the creation of rifts and polarization between Shia and Sunni among their greatest successes. With a profound understanding of this danger, the late leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, spent many years—especially in his speeches and messages during the Hajj season—stressing the need for vigilance against divisive schemes. In his view, the “Abrahamic Hajj” is the optimal opportunity to tangibly realize unity and demonstrate the power of Muslims against their common enemies. This essay seeks to portray the various dimensions of this solidarity in the mirror of Hajj by revisiting his thoughts.

1. The Late Leader and the Necessity of Shia-Sunni Unity
Ayatollah Khamenei (RA) firmly believed that the enemies of Islam—from international Zionism to hegemonic Western powers—would never cease promoting sectarian differences. He frequently reiterated: “The enemy knows that if Shia and Sunni are united, no power can stand against them.” From his perspective, extreme sectarianism, whether among certain Takfiri movements or radical Shia factions, ultimately serves the interests of the Zionist regime and the United States. For this reason, he regarded the duty of Shias toward their Sunni brothers not as a tactical maneuver, but as a strategic conviction.

2. Hajj: The Great Exhibition of Islamic Unity
In the late leader’s philosophy, Hajj is not merely an individual ritual; it is “religious politics” in the fullest sense. During the days of Hajj, Muslims of diverse languages, races, and schools of thought from over a hundred countries gather in one location, under one dress code, and with one intention. While circling the Kaaba, there is no distinction between Shia and Sunni; all revolve around the House of God, chanting “Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk” (Here I am, O God, here I am). During the Sa’y between Safa and Marwa, the Wuquf (standing) in Arafat, the Ramy (stoning) of the pillars, and the sacrifice in Mina, religious differences give way to a “shared Islamic identity.” With great subtlety, the late leader described Hajj as a “magnificent festival of Muslim unity”—a place where the greatest enemies of unity, namely ignorant prejudice and ethnic or sectarian slogans, are cast aside.

3. The Enemy’s Plan to Sow Discord During Hajj
Unfortunately, enemies of Islam also make greater efforts during the Hajj season than at any other time to magnify sectarian divisions. On one hand, hostile media outlets seek to undermine the outward unity of pilgrims by highlighting jurisprudential differences in Hajj rituals, such as the manner of prayer or the details of circumambulation. On the other hand, infiltrators in some Islamic countries at times target the security of Shia pilgrims in an attempt to fan the flames of sedition. With full vigilance, the late leader exposed these plots and said: “The enemy wants to turn Hajj from a gathering that fosters unity into a field of religious rivalry. Be aware that every act of division in fact serves the enemy.”

4. The Duty of Shia Muslims Toward Their Sunni Brothers During Hajj
In the view of the late leader, Shia Muslims bear a doubly important responsibility during Hajj. First, they must avoid any provocative behavior that could offend the sentiments of their Sunni brothers. Second, they should actively seek engagement and friendly dialogue with pilgrims from other schools of thought. He repeatedly emphasized that Shia scholars should hold joint cultural programs alongside Sunni scholars and, through the language of affection and mutual respect, present the true face of Shiism—namely

5. Tangible Examples of Shia-Sunni Brotherhood during Hajj
The experience of recent years has shown that despite all conspiracies, thousands of Shia and Sunni Muslims extend the hand of brotherhood to one another during Hajj. Many Shias pray alongside their Sunni brothers, share Iftar meals, and engage in supplication within communal tents. Field reports from the Hajj confirm that amidst the bustling crowds during the Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), no one asks about the sectarian affiliation of the person next to them; with one voice and one heart, everyone calls upon the One God. This is the very scene that the late leader often described as the “most spectacular manifestation of the single Islamic Ummah.”

The late leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, with his profound insight into the issues of the Islamic world, viewed the sturdy tree of unity as the only sanctuary for Muslims against the storms of division incited by enemies. From his perspective, the Abrahamic Hajj is not merely a religious obligation, but a massive source of “soft power” for redefining the collective identity of Muslims. In this magnificent gathering, Shia and Sunni learn that minor jurisprudential differences must never hinder empathy in the face of common enemies. Today, as the Islamic world grapples with crises such as Takfiri terrorism, Western cultural onslaughts, and Zionist occupation, revisiting the late leader’s guidelines on unity is more essential than ever. Hajj, this “grand festival of unity,” conveys this message to Muslims worldwide every year: “Inna hadhihi ummatukum ummatan wahidah”—verily, this nation of yours is a single nation. Upholding this oneness is a duty that rests upon the shoulders of all of us—both Shia and Sunni—and Hajj is the ultimate arena to fulfill this divine mission.