TEHRAN – Political analyst Yuram Abdullah Weiler says “Muslims have become the scapegoat for the leaders of the arrogant powers of the world to justify the draconian measures of austerity and surveillance imposed upon the citizens of their respective countries as well as for the obscene levels of military spending.”

Weiler is also of the opinion that “The goal of these leaders is to facilitate the transfer of wealth from the poor and oppressed to their backers, the moneyed elite and their method is to present Islam and Muslims as a threat to “national security.””

“By presenting the Quran as a book that teaches violence, the leaders of these countries are able to justify their “war on terror,” which not only instills fear in the citizens of their respective countries, but also creates chaos in the oil-producing regions, thereby reducing the supply of crude and thus increasing the price,” Weiler tells the Tehran Times.

This is the text of the interview:

Q: What is the role of the Quran in uniting Muslims?

A: All Muslims, regardless of which of the five theological schools of Islam (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali and Jafari) they may follow, believe in the Quran as the final revelation to mankind by the Creator through His prophet, Muhammad (S).  While certain schools or madhaahib have launched accusations that some Muslims have a different Quran, this is, of course, completely false as can be demonstrated quite easily.

Therefore, the Quran is not only a basis, but also a symbol of Muslim unity.  It should be pointed out that various Christian sects do not share the same Bible.  In fact, the authorized version of the Bible of one mainstream Christian sect contains books within it that are absent from the versions used by others.  Consequently, the Quran should be a strong unifying agent.  However, in addition to the Quran, Islam requires the Sunna, or traditions of the Prophet (S) for completeness, as narrated in the hadith of “Two Weighty Things (Hadith al-Thaqalayn),” namely, the Quran and Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), or household of the Prophet (S).  Versions of this hadith can be found in Sunni sources, including Sahih Muslim.

Q: Why do some try to show the Quran as a book that teaches violence?

A: Muslims have become the scapegoat for the leaders of the arrogant powers of the world to justify the draconian measures of austerity and surveillance imposed upon the citizens of their respective countries as well as for the obscene levels of military spending.   The goal of these leaders is to facilitate the transfer of wealth from the poor and oppressed to their backers, the moneyed elite and their method is to present Islam and Muslims as a threat to “national security.”

In short, by presenting the Quran as a book that teaches violence, the leaders of these countries are able to justify their “war on terror,” which not only instills fear in the citizens of their respective countries, but also creates chaos in the oil-producing regions, thereby reducing the supply of crude and thus increasing the price.  This is highly desirable for a number of reasons.  First, high energy prices encourage investment in the energy sector due to increased profits.  Second, the fear generated by the threat of “radical Islamic terrorism,” to use the phrase employed frequently by the head of a certain arrogant power, allows political leaders to impose measures restricting the rights of citizens and cutting spending on social programs. Additionally, as a result of people’s focus on fear, politicians are able to pass legislation favoring their well-heeled backers, such as the recent tax bill and resulting giveaway to corporate interests in the United States.

Keep in mind that the three highest primary energy producers in the world are the U.S., Russia and China in that order.  This, of course, includes all energy sources, not just petroleum.  However, if we look at oil—believe it or not—the U.S. still comes out on top with Saudi Arabia in second place and Russia in third.  The idea of collusion between these nations to up the price of oil using the excuse that the Quran teaches violence and thereby justifying military intervention, which  causes the destruction of infrastructure and consequent reduction of oil production, should not be discounted.

Q: What is the role of common studies on the Quran in uniting Muslims (such as common studies between Shia Muslims and Sunni Muslims)?

A: The differences among the various theological schools in Islam are masterfully summarized in a book written by Muhammad Jawad Maghniyyah.  The book, titled The Five Schools of Islamic Law, Al-Fiqh ‘ala’l Madhaahib al-Khamsah, could certainly serve as a basis for common studies.  What is remarkable about this book, in my opinion, is that the legal differences among the various schools can be summarized in a single volume of some 600 pages.

As far as how this unification would be accomplished, a two-pronged approach would seem most likely to succeed.  Islamic scholars from all schools of Islamic theology would have to meet and issue statements of mutual recognition, urging followers toward tolerance and respect of their co-religionists, regardless of theological school.  Large mosques could establish programs of outreach to others of different schools of theology, forming “grass roots” ecumenical committees to discuss and implement ways of increasing mutual understanding, respect and tolerance.

Q: How can Muslims use the Quran’s teachings for making a “Unified Ummah”?

A: First, let me reiterate that I am not in favor of the dissolution of the various schools of Islamic theology.  I believe it is possible to have a unified Ummah while maintaining the distinctions between the five schools.  And therein lurks the problem: given that the Quran is the same for all Muslims, we really must find a way to reach mutual tolerance and acceptance of our differences.

However, there is a fundamental problem blocking the way to achieving a unified Ummah, the issue of ijtihad, the use of logic and reason where the Quran is not specific.  For without ijtihad, we are forced either to abandon our intellect or leave our religion in a fossilized state of increasing irrelevance, to be categorized as merely one choice from a plethora of “spiritual” options.  Either choice plays directly into the hands of the leaders of the arrogant powers, to whom Islam is anathema.  And only one of the five schools of Islamic theology, namely the Jafari School, recognizes ijtihad, which may explain why the west and certain Muslim-majority countries are so rabidly opposed to its propagation.

Perhaps, much in the same way that scholars produced books on the differences in interpretation of Fiqh among the various schools, leading Islamic theologians could produce a book, which includes the commonalities and divergences of interpretation of the Quran among the madhaahib.  I believe that the production of such a book, or series of books of commentary on the Quran aimed at lay persons, would represent a huge step towards uniting Muslims of all schools.