Imam Ali (AS) is one of the most important axes of Islamic unity

According to the Taghrib News Agency(TNA), Sheikh Ebrahim Ebrahimi, the Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, at the international webinar "Ghadir, Wilayah, and Unity" organized by the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought, thanking the organizers of this meeting, stated: "The issue of Ghadir is among the matters that is both rooted in Islamic history and tied to the present and future destiny of the Islamic Ummah."

Referring to the current situation of the Islamic world, he added: "The Islamic Ummah today faces great challenges, and the issue of Palestine must remain as the primary issue of the Islamic world, occupying the attention of Muslims."

The Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, referring to the event of Ghadir, said: "This historical event took place on the return journey of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) from the Farewell Pilgrimage, and its origin has been recorded and narrated in the authentic historical and hadith sources of Muslims. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said in that great gathering: 'Whoever I am his master (Mawla), this Ali is his master.'"

He continued: "Regardless of the interpretations and views regarding the concept of 'Mawla,' the origin of this hadith has been narrated in numerous Islamic sources and has been noted by Muslim scholars. But the fundamental question is: after more than fourteen centuries, what message can be derived from Ghadir for the Islamic world today? Should Ghadir become a factor of division, or can it be a ground for empathy and rapprochement among Muslims?"

Ebrahimi stated: "In my opinion, if we look at this issue with a Qur'anic and civilizational perspective, Ghadir can be one of the factors in strengthening the unity of the Islamic Ummah. God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: 'And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided' (Quran 3:103). This verse is considered among the most important charters of Islamic unity."

He added: "God did not say that all Muslims must think alike on all historical, jurisprudential, and ijtihadi issues, but He emphasized that they should not become divided. Also, in another verse it is stated: 'The believers are but brothers' (Quran 49:10). This bond of faith is superior to any ethnic, racial, or linguistic bond."

The Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, referring to the vast population of Muslims in the world, noted: "Today, more than one and a half billion Muslims live in the world. If this great capacity is united on the basis of Islamic brotherhood, no power will be able to marginalize them. But if Muslims become entangled in internal disputes, what will happen is what the Holy Quran warned against when it said: 'And do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart' (Quran 8:46)."

He then described Imam Ali (AS) as one of the most important axes of Islamic unity and said: "Amir al-Mu'minin Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) does not belong exclusively to one particular group or sect. He is the son-in-law of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), one of the first believers in Islam, the conqueror of Khaybar, and the fourth Caliph of the Muslims. Love for him resides in the hearts of all Muslims."

Ebrahimi, referring to some of the virtues of Imam Ali (AS), added: "The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about him: 'Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man who loves God and His Messenger, and God and His Messenger love him.' Also, the famous hadith 'You are to me like Aaron was to Moses, except there is no prophet after me' is among other narrations that show the high status of Amir al-Mu'minin (AS) and are accepted by Muslims."

He continued: "The Messenger of God (PBUH) also said: 'I leave among you two precious trusts: the Book of God and my Ahl al-Bayt.' This hadith shows that love and respect for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) is part of the culture, belief, and identity of the Islamic Ummah."

The Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, emphasizing that the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) themselves were callers to unity, stated: "Imam Ali (AS) strove throughout his life to preserve the unity of Muslims. He knew well what damages the breaking of the unity of the Islamic Ummah would bring to Islamic society."

He stated: "When we speak of Amir al-Mu'minin (AS), we should not be content only with enumerating his virtues, but we should learn from his conduct and way. Ali (AS) is the symbol of justice, knowledge, ethics, courage, defense of truth, and human dignity. If we consider ourselves his followers, we must spread these values in society."

Ebrahimi added: "The Islamic world today needs justice, knowledge, ethics, and unity more than ever before, and these values are clearly observable in the conduct of Amir al-Mu'minin (AS)."

Referring to the necessity of rapprochement (Taqrib) among Islamic sects, he noted: "The great thinkers of the Islamic world have always emphasized that religious differences should not prevent Muslims from cooperating. We have one Quran, one Prophet, one Qibla, a shared history, and common enemies—enemies who exploit every difference among Muslims."

The Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, stated: "Rapprochement among Islamic sects does not mean the elimination of sects, but rather mutual respect, scholarly dialogue, and cooperation on common issues. Muslims may disagree on some matters, but they remain brothers and act united in defending Islam and the interests of the Islamic Ummah."

Explaining the message of Ghadir for the contemporary world, he said: "If we want to re-read the message of Ghadir for the twenty-first century, it can be summarized in three fundamental axes: first, responsibility, because no society will progress without the responsibility of its leaders and elites; second, justice, because a society without justice will never achieve lasting unity; and third, Islamic brotherhood, which is the key to the dignity and authority of the Islamic Ummah."

Ebrahimi, also referring to the actions of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting Islamic unity and defending the oppressed, stated: "The system of the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken practical actions in the field of Islamic unity and support for oppressed nations, and this same approach has caused the enemies of Islam to design various pressures and wars against the Iranian nation."

He added: "The leaders and great figures of Islam have always sacrificed their lives for the dignity, honor, and respect of the Islamic Ummah and have been martyred on this path. This is the same path inspired by the movement of Imam Hussein (AS)."

In conclusion, the Friday Prayer Imam of Kenar Siah, Qeshm, emphasized: "Today, the Islamic Ummat must be like a single body. The pain of Palestine must be the pain of all Muslims, the suffering of Muslims in any part of the world must be the common concern of the Islamic Ummah, and the future of the Islamic world must be considered a shared responsibility for everyone."

He asked God Almighty to bring the hearts of Muslims closer together, to distance them from division and harmful prejudices, to strengthen the love of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and the Companions in their hearts, and to guide the Islamic Ummah towards dignity, progress, and solidarity.