Yet, there is no use arguing over the issue of succession to...

Yet, there is no use arguing over the issue of succession to the Prophet (S) these days; it does not concern us what others did or did not. But as we understand it, our texts take approximation to mean: a. Creating a peaceful symbiosis among the Islamic sects and schools of thought. b. Ensuring tension-free social relations. c.

Reducing tensions in order to prevent any sedition, social and religious unrest, maintain a peaceful and secure life, and simultaneously safeguard inter-sectarian beliefs and religious conventions. d. Avoiding any sensitive issue that might harm the religious or worldly affairs of the Shi‘ah community. These will certainly help protect Islam and not be grist to the enemies’ mill.

When we take for granted the fact that there are differences of opinion among Muslims, we do not imply that we consent to tensions and disruptions within the Islamic society, because such occurrences will serve the interest of the enemies of Islam. Difference of opinions and occurrence of clashes are two separate issues. It is tension along with strife, and not the ideological differences discussed in an entirely scholarly framework that harms the social relations of Muslims.

When I first came to know Dr. ‘Isam through the internet and witnessed his discussion with the biased Wahhabi ‘Uthman al-Khamis, I was fascinated by his method. His serene and solemn voice and his polite and systematic dialogue made his particular manner of discussion more interesting. Sometime later I discovered that Dr. ‘Isam himself used to be a biased Wahhabi, conducting anti-Shi‘ah activities in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, but with God’s favor, later on, converted to Shi‘ism.

He now attempts to debate with his former co-religionists. He also has a book, al-Minhaj al-Jadid wa’l-Sahih fi’l-Hiwar ma‘a’l-Wahhabiyyin , on ways and methods of conducting discussions with Wahhabis. It was through a friend that I came to know Dr. ‘Isam, and A Strife-free Dialogue commenced its documentation after a few sessions of in-depth discussions with him.

The author mainly aims to establish a suitable method of communication with Wahhabis to familiarize them with Shi‘ism, and to prepare a proper ground for their conversion to the school of thought of the Household of the Prophet, peace be upon them. Also, he believes that a group of the Wahhabis—those who are not makers of mischief or mercenaries of the colonialists—will adhere to the truth once they know it, just as he did.