UNITY AND AFFINITY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF IMAMATE WITH RELIANCE ON THE COMMON FOUNDATIONS OF BOTH SECTS

Undoubtedly, referring to the biography and sayings of the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny)is the best guide for presenting a religious and effective ideology in the realm of unity and affinity. From the common Islamic tradition, it is evident that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his progeny)consistently warned against the issue of leadership and succession - which has been the first point of separation in the Islamic nation - and considered the path of unity and affinity achievable only through this route. The present writing, adhering to the tradition of the Prophet of Islam(peace be upon him and his progeny), elucidates the path of unity and affinitywith the Imamate-centered model and deems its realization possible. In this perspective, Islamic unity, through agreement on the principles of leadership and affinity, will also be achieved by creating a common discourse centered around the Imamate. This discourse should open cultural and social avenues for dialogue on the issue of leadership and, in the first step, expose the truths of the beliefs of Islamic sects and their foundations, dispelling misunderstandings. The most important strategies of this theory include returning to the root of differences, enlightening on religious and historical truths, and delineating the distinction between unity and affinitythrough social unity and coexistence.