With regard to the large number of Islamic groups that exist in many of the Islamic lands and elsewhere, and the differences that exist between them.
What is the obligation upon Muslim scholars, because most of the Islamic groups declares others to be misguided.
Note: This answer is from Sheik ABDUL-‘AZIZ IBN BAZ
Our Prophet Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam made clear to us a single way, which is obligatory upon the Muslims to follow and traverse; and that is Allah’s Straight Path and the methodology of His upright Religion. Allah the Exalted said:
“And this is My Straight Path, so follow it and do not follow other paths that will separate you from His Path. This has He ordained for you, that you may become pious.” [Al-Qur’an 6:153]
Likewise, the Lord of Might and Majesty warned the nation of Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam against splitting and disunity, since that is one of the greatest causes of failure and of the enemy taking control.
Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
“And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allah and do not be divided.” [AlQur’an 3:101]
“He has ordained for you the same religion which He ordained for Noah and that which We revealed to you, and that which We ordained for Abraham, Moses and Jesus, saying: That you should establish the Religion and make no divisions in it.” [Al-Qur’an 42:13]
So this is a Divine call to unity and for hearts to be harmonized. [Imam as-Sa’di, rahimahullah, said in Siyasat ash-Shar’iyyah (p. 8): “Indeed this striving to unite the Muslims and this calling them to have reconciliation between themselves is from the best of actions. And it is, in this present time, better than being preoccupied with [optional] Fasting and Praying, and it is from the greatest forms of jihad in the path of Allah.”
Imam as-Sa’di also said (p. 13): “It is also upon the Muslims not to make the differences that they have with regards to opinions and views concerning leadership (Mulik) and politics (siyasah) to be a barrier between themselves and between maintaining the religious brotherhood and ties of faith. Rather, they
should make all such differences, as well as the attainment of partial goals and objectives, follow on from this great principle.”]
In any Islamic land if there are many groups for the purpose of righteousness and piety between being differences between the doing good and co-operating in the Muslims – without there desires of the followers – then this is good, is a blessing and produces a great benefit.
However, if each of them declares the others to be misguided and attack their actions, then this harm is very great and its evil consequences very serious. What is obligatory upon the Muslims is to clarify the true state of affairs and to discuss with each group and to sincerely advise all of them that they should proceed upon the way laid down by Allah for His servants and upon that which our Prophet Muhammad sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam called to.
Those who ignore this, or continue in their opposition, due to a personal benefit or goal known only to Allah, then what is obligatory upon those who know the reality is to make this known about them and to warn against them, in order that people may avoid their path. So those who do not know the reality of their affair will not fall into it, nor be led astray, nor be turned away from the Straight Path which Allah ordered that we follow.
Allah said:
“And this is My Straight Path, so follow it and do not follow other paths that will separate you from His Path. This has He ordained for you, that you may become pious.” [Al-Qur’an 6:153]
There is no doubt that the multitude of [differing] sects and groups in the Islamic society is, firstly, something desired by Shaytan and, secondly something desired by the enemies of Islam from amongst mankind.
Since agreement and unification of the Muslims, and they are being aware of the dangers which threaten them and their beliefs, will make them active in refuting and rebutting it, and acting in a unified manner for the benefit of the Muslims – thus repelling the danger from their religion, their lands as well as their brothers.
This is something which the enemies, from amongst mankind and jinn, are not pleased with. Therefore they are very eager to split up the Muslims, destroy their unity and to sow the seeds of enmity and discord between them.
We ask Allah that He unites the Muslims upon the truth and that He removes from their society every type of misguidance and every cause of discord. Indeed He is the One Who is able to do that, and He is the One having full power over that.
And Allah knows best.
