The article “Islam preaches brotherhood” (Jan. 3) served as an eye-opener. Muslims should know that in Islam there is no concept of caste or creed. Only piety and firm faith in Allah is the criterion set in Islam. I am a witness to horrible sectarian clashes in Mumbai. We must realize that Hanafi, Hambli or Maliki are schools of thought in Islam. Their basis are the same, they only differ in the interpretation of certain aspects of Islamic teachings.
On the basis of those slight differences, we cannot denounce each other as those interpretations are also based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. A true Muslim should see what is in the Qur’an and Hadith to lead his life accordingly. The reason for all these petty skirmishes between the adherents of different schools of thought is the poor understanding of Islam and a lack of knowledge.
One has to praise Saudi Arabia for disseminating the true message of Islam. That is why; one cannot find any skirmishes or bickering among scholars in the Kingdom. I have been living in the Kingdom since 1973 and my schooling was also done in this country. The overall environment of Saudi Arabia greatly helped me better understand the pristine teachings of Islam. I never enter into any argument related to sect or creeds; as such arguments only drive a wedge between Muslims. I urge all Muslims to strictly follow the true teachings of Islam and adhere to the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (pbuh) and set our petty differences aside for the growth and strengthening of the Ummah. — Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar
True teachings of Islam
