How to Create Religious Coexistence

This week, one of the readings in our history text explained that after Muhammad’s death in 632 C.E., the once unified and growing Islamic religion broke into groups with conflicting belief systems.  Without Muhammad, the leader who was known for the ability to resolve any dispute, could lead his Arabian army into battle, and teach god’s words to humanity, Islam became a less unified and communal religion.  What does this show about Islam and religions in general?

            After Muhammad’s death, conflicts arose over power, interpretations of Islamic beliefs, and views on the role of Islam in everyday society.  For example, the split between Sunni and Shiite Muslims resulted mainly from differences in opinion about who were the legitimate Muslim leaders.  The Sunnis supported the caliphs, while the Shiites thought the leadership should come from the imams, the direct descendents of Muhammad.  This political division evolved into a theological division because Sunnis believed that political leaders did not serve the same purpose as religious leaders, and Shiites believed that the imams were both political and religious leaders. This conflict has lead to the creation of new empires and civil wars between Muslims. Why did this problem continue to grow? There was no one to resolve it.

I have come to believe that the without a unifying leader, religions cannot fulfill their full potential to connect millions of people together under a common belief system. The powerful ability of a religion to create peace and community cannot be harnessed without a leader to bond followers together. During his lifetime, Muhammad was more than just a spiritual leader.  He was able to bring competing tribes together over a belief system.  He was able to settle violent disputes over who should hold local power. His role in Islam was more than spreading god’s word; it was to unify the Arabian people of different backgrounds and origins into an empire that shared a common belief system.

            Though one unifying religious leader may sound like the answer to both intra-religious and inter-religious conflicts, I believe that these major Islamic divisions are too far apart in beliefs values and traditions today to be brought back together under a leader. At this point, it is not up to one leader to unify these sects.  Rather, it is up to the members of these religions to recognize the benefits of living according to ideals of peace and respect. There needs to be a collective Muslim effort to promote tolerance, acceptance, and coexistence between all Muslims, Sunni or Shiite.  With this sense of respect, not only will different divisions within a particular religion interact more civilly, but we may move a step closer to achieving worldwide religious tolerance.  

            As Islam emerged, it depended on a unifying leader to bring individuals with diverse backgrounds and traditions together and to create a powerful religious community.  Today, as the world faces conflicts within and between religions, I believe that acceptance can only be accomplished collectively by individuals of different faiths spreading the importance of religious coexistence.