The differences between two major sects in Muslim world have long divided the Muslims in two halves, around 85% Sunni and around 15% Shia, both have further sub divisions however, major divide is along Shia – Sunni lines.

The books written by both sides present a horrible picture and make it look like this difference is on the foundations of the Islamic Faith, and thus has resulted in a bloody struggle over centuries but if we go back to the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or the Successors to Prophet till fourth caliph Ali (R.A) we see that there is no difference on the basis of faith. And the whole issue of divide started with political or administrative decision made by people after the departure of prophet Muhammad.

Dr. Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal the poet of east has described this in such a beautiful manner that if we properly understand these two lines only, no further explanation is need. Iqbal says in his poetic collection Baal-e-Jibreel

زرا سی بات تھی اندیشہؑ عجم نے جسے  ٍ ٍ بڑھا دیا ہے فقط ذیب داستاں کے لیےؑ ٍٍ

Meaning

It was a plain and simple truth ~ but the imagination of the Persian mind
has confounded it with the poetic license.

And the same is evident from early Islam history that how minor difference of opinion on political or administrative issues between a few individuals has been turned into a matter of faith for millions.

Here is a quote from Nahjul Balagha (the collection of Hazrat Ali Sermons, Letters and Saying, which is considered the most authentic book after Quran by Shia Muslims.

In Letter #58 the fourth caliph of Muslims explains the real cause of contention between Ma’awiya, the Governor or Syria, and Ali (R.A) himself.

Quote: “We and the Syrians (Led by Ma’awiya) were facing each other while we had common faith in One Allah, in the same Prophet and the same principles and canons of religion. So far as the faith in Allah and the Holy Prophet is concerned we never wanted them to believe in anything over and above or other than what they believing-in and they did not want us to change our faith. The point of contention between us was the question of murder of Othman" unquote

So one can clearly see that as far as Iman is concerned there was no difference, the difference was on administrative or political issue on how to tackle the murderers of Osman (R.A.) and the accusation whether Ali (R.A.) had any role in it.

All other differences we see between Shia and Sunni today are later addition.

For instance Abu Bakr (R.A, the first Caliph) is generally portrayed by some historian as oppressors, who seized the rightful place successor from Ali (R.A.) and became first caliph himself after departure of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); bypassing Ali and disregarding Prophet’s instructions regarding succession. And obviously Ali was said to be very displeased with Abu Bakr and held a grudge against him, but the facts point out to the contrary.

Abu Bakr reign lasted approximately two years, and he died at ripe old age by natural causes, after his death Hazrat Ali (R.A) married his widow, Asma binte Umays, and adopted Abu Bakr son as his own, Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr, who later became a brave General in Ali's army, fought battles on Ali’s behalf and was appointed the Governor of Egypt and given other responsibilities by Hazrat Ali (R.A.).

Ali (R.A.) wrote letters praising Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr, in Nahajul Balagha letter number 27 Ali (R.A.) says “O Muhammad Son of Abu Bakr, Remember that I have entrusted you with the command of the most important sections of my army which is Egyptian”

And in the following words in Letter number 34 quote “You (Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr), come out of your house, armed with superior intelligence and the best armours, ready to face the enemies. Be ready to fight those who fight against you. Advise people to obey the Lord and seek His help as much and as often as you can so that he may grant success to you in your important affairs and help you in the difficulties” unquote

Interestingly Ali (R.A.) gave his daughter Umme Kulthum in marriage to the second Caliph Umar ibn Al Khatab, she gave birth to a son from Umar Ibn Al Khatab his name was Zaid and he is was famous by title of ابن الخلیفتین or Son of Two Caliphs Ali being Nana and Umar being Father.

Some Shia historians claim that Umme Kulthum was daughter of Abu Bakr from Asma binte Umays who later married Ali after death of Abu Bakr. Since Umme Kulthum was raised in Ali’s house she got nicknamed Binte Ali. It’s important to note that most historian narrate Asma binte Umays had only one son from Ali named Yahya.

Other accounts of history tell that Abu Bakr indeed had a daughter named Umme Kulthum who was born after death of her father in 13^th year of Hjira Calendar to Abu Bakr wife Habiba (not Asma) and that she married first to Talha bin Ubaidullah and on the death of Talha, she married his brother Abdur Rahman bin Ubaidullah (never married Umar ibn Al Khatab).

Whatever the case may be, Umar ibn Al Khatab is portrayed by some historian as arch rival of Ali who threatened to burn Ali’s house and forced entry into his house by kicking the door which fell on Fatima binte Muhammad (PBUH) causing abortion as she was pregnant at the time. (interestingly very same historians tell about birth of Umme Kulthum ibn Ali from Fatima binte Muhammad after death of Prophet Muhammad forgetting that she had an abortion caused by Umar’s forced entry and died within six months how could be bear another child and according to these historians the real Umme Kulthum binte Ali married her cousin Awn ibn Ja’far, but other historian say after death of Umar his widow Umme Kulthum married Awn ibn Ja'far).

The Fourth Caliph Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib (R.A.) had married Fatima the beloved daughter of Prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH), in addition to her he had 8 more wives namely 1. Umm-ul-Bunian Binte Haram Bin Kalabia 2. Laila Binte Masud Bint Khalid Nehshaliya Tameema 3. Asma daughter of Umays the Ex Wife of Abu Bakr 4. Umama binte Abi Al Aas her mother Zainab was the daughter of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) 5. Khaula Bin Jafariya 6. Sehba Bin Rabia Taghlibiya 7. Umm Saeed Binte Urwa Bin Masood Thaqeefa 8. Mukhbita Binte Amr al-Qais the famous Arabic poet of his era.

It is indeed very interesting to note that Ummul Bunian the second wife after Fatima gave birth to 5 sons of Ali the youngest one was named Omar and second last was Osman, while third wife Laila Binte Masud gave birth to two sons and the youngest was named Abu Bakr and wife number 7 gave birth to a son who was also named Umar.

That means Ali (R.A) named one of his sons Abu Bakr, two were named Umar and one was named Osman. Similarly Umar named his daughter Fatima.

It clearly proves that confusion is created by conflicting narrations and the relations between Ali, Abu Bakr and Umar were not at all that strained as we are being told today.

Another interesting point in Nahjul Balagha is in Letter number 6 that Hazrat Ali wrote to Ma'awiya saying: Quote" all those who took oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and Osman have sworn allegiance to me" A Clear Sign that those who approved the first three caliphs had approved Ali as well.

So let’s forget what Mullah or Waiz or Zakir or Mukhi or Da’i says, let’s go back to what Allah, Mohammad and Quran says and what Ali said and practiced,  let’s adopt a path of reconciliation that was adopted by Ali and Hassan to avoid bloodshed among Ummah Muhammad.

Wa akhirud da’wana anil hamdu Lillahe Rabil Aalmeen