Islam, Humanity, and the Tragedy of Sectarian Division.

Islam, Humanity, and the Tragedy of Sectarian Division

Islam, at its core, is a religion of peace, compassion, and universal brotherhood. It upholds the principles of religious freedom, human dignity, and justice for all. The Qur’an declares, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256), and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ set the precedent for co-existence with people of various faiths, from Christians in Najran to Jews in Medina.

Yet, in the contemporary Muslim world, a stark contradiction persists. Under the pretext of jihad, Muslims are tragically shedding the blood of fellow Muslims. Sunni and Shia sects, instead of upholding the unity of the Ummah, are caught in brutal power struggles. Mosques, shrines, imambargahs, and even schools are being bombed in the name of religion. The sanctity of human life is being violated in places where Islam once thrived as a torchbearer of ethics and civilization.

However, when it comes to collective causes like Palestine and Kashmir, this so-called zeal for jihad vanishes. The spirit of resistance gets lost in sectarian labels—“the Lebanese are Shia”, “Iranians are Shia”, “Syrians are not our allies.” This tragic mindset is weakening the very soul of Muslim resistance.

Take the example of Iran, whose largest province by population, Sistan-Balochistan, is over 90% Sunni. Yet, despite ideological differences, Iran does not experience the sectarian riots that plague countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Why? Because in those regions, sectarianism has been historically nurtured as a political tool, particularly after the colonial era.

Historical Context of Sectarian Exploitation

The British colonial strategy of “divide and rule” thrives even today. From the fall of the Mughal Empire to the partition of India, sectarian divisions were often manufactured and inflamed for control. The East India Company, and later imperial powers, found that the best way to dominate this region was to turn Muslims against each other.

Unfortunately, this legacy continues in the form of religious monopolies, political manipulation, and mullah-military alliances. Religious scholars who once guided nations are now often pawns in political games. The two most powerful institutions in history—Politics and Religion—when misused for selfish gains, become the deadliest forces.

Ironically, while Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism have internal divisions, they tend to unite against external threats. Hindus worship thousands of deities and are divided into countless castes and sects, yet stand united against any perceived threat. Christians have been divided into Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, yet the Crusades saw them rally together for a single cause.

Muslims, despite having over 1.8 billion adherents, are divided, scattered, and defenseless. Even small nations like Israel, with a population of under 10 million, have successfully intimidated the collective Muslim world—not because of power, but because of our disunity.

The Role of Religious Elites in Exploitation

History is filled with examples where religion served both as a healer and a weapon. Prophets like Moses (AS), Jesus (AS), and Muhammad (SAW) brought liberation, justice, and moral awakening. But figures like Yazid, or institutions behind the Crusades, have misused religion for power, territory, and ego.

In modern times, many religious elites have followed this tragic path. They incite hatred in the name of sectarian purity, wage wars over doctrinal differences, and prevent any form of tolerance or coexistence. This hypocrisy not only defiles the name of Islam but also alienates the new generation from spirituality.

Contemporary Silence and Selective Activism

The Taliban, once glorified by segments of the Muslim world for resisting foreign occupation in Afghanistan and Iraq, are now silent on issues like Kashmir and Palestine. Similarly, in the recent conflict between Iran and Israel, Afghanistan—a country once at the center of Islamic resistance—remained quiet and diplomatically detached.

This selective resistance reflects not principle, but politics. When geopolitical agendas dictate religious stances, the very concept of jihad loses its legitimacy.

The Path Forward: Unity, Tolerance, and Dialogue

It is high time for the Muslim Ummah to reclaim Islam from sectarian monopolists and geopolitical manipulators. We must revive the message of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who welcomed Jews, Christians, and even pagans into peaceful dialogue. We must honor the Treaty of Medina, which recognized religious plurality as the foundation of a civil society.

Unity does not mean uniformity. It means respecting differences, offering mutual freedom, and standing together against injustice, regardless of sect. It means recognizing that a Shia resisting Israel is no less a mujahid than a Sunni resisting imperialism.

The Muslim world must invest in education, social reform, interfaith dialogue, and truthful leadership. We need to end wars not with blood, but with negotiation tables, empathy, and the Qur’anic principles of justice.

Conclusion

This era demands a new Islamic awakening—not one of violent confrontation, but one rooted in unity, intellect, and humanity. The Prophet ﷺ said: “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand others are safe.” Let us honor this by ensuring that no Muslim, Sunni or Shia, feels unsafe because of another.

Let us build an Ummah that is not divided by sects but united by principles.