This research addresses the issue of Islamic unity as one of the most important intellectual and social challenges in the contemporary Islamic world. It highlights the positions of prominent Shiite religious authorities, namely Imam Khomeini, Sayyid Abul-Qasim al-Khoei, Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, and Sayyid Ali Khamenei, by analyzing their jurisprudential, political, and social perspectives on the concept of unity, rapprochement between sects, and supporting oppressed peoples. In the first section, it reviews the vision of Imam Khomeini, who viewed Islamic unity not as a political choice but as a religious duty derived from the Holy Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah, and a fundamental condition for the nation's renaissance. He called for transcending sectarian differences, focusing on commonalities, and unifying ranks against the common enemy.
The second section studies the thought of Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr regarding Islamic unity, which contributed profoundly to establishing the concept of Islamic unity through his revivalist project that combined jurisprudence, thought, philosophy, and politics. He called for overcoming sectarian divisions and building a unified nation based on justice, awareness, and civilizational participation, making his thought a cornerstone in any study on Islamic unity in the modern era.
The third section studies the thought of Sayyid al-Khoei, characterized by scholarly calm and jurisprudential moderation. He rejected takfir (excommunication), respected sectarian pluralism, and called for scholarly dialogue between Islamic schools, thereby establishing a balanced jurisprudential discourse that promotes understanding among Muslims.
The fourth section addresses the thought of Sayyid al-Sistani, who focused on the moral and national dimension of unity through inclusive fatwas and a humanitarian discourse that rejects sectarianism, emphasizes respect for others, and contributes to protecting the social fabric, especially in Iraq, where he played a pivotal role in calming sectarian conflicts. In the fifth section, the research analyzes the vision of Sayyid Khamenei, which presents Islamic unity as a comprehensive civilizational-political project that transcends sectarianism and nationalism. It focuses on confronting global arrogance, supporting the oppressed, championing the Palestinian cause, activating Arab-Islamic dialogue, and building the Axis of Resistance as a practical translation of the idea of unity.
The research concludes that religious authorities, despite differing contexts and methods, agree that Islamic unity is a religious and historical necessity, and that religious authority is capable of playing a pivotal role in building a comprehensive unifying discourse. This contributes to protecting the nation from division and enhances its intellectual and political resilience in facing challenges.