Title: A Further Exchange on 'About Wahhabis' Question/Comments: In the response that the other brother sent, he had stated that unity should be sacrificed if it is for the sake of harshly destroying polytheistic practices. I have two concerns with this. First, if every body decides to destroy what in their opinion is polytheistic practice then we will have utter chaos. So is this a duty of the Islamic State? Second, in Surah 20:94 Moses returns to find that his people are worshipping the calf. Upon grabbing his brother, his brother states that he feared Moses would say "you have caused division among the Children of Israel." This seems to imply that the discord would have been counterproductive and so he avoided it even in the face of polytheism. Could you comment or clarify my understanding? Answer: It is the duty of the Muslim scholars to point out that a particular practice in their opinion is polytheistic in nature. At such an instance, if the Muslim state is convinced of the reasoning of such a scholar, it may plan for an action against such polytheistic practice. As was the case during the times of Abd Allah ibn Wahhab . Such an action should not be taken by anyone or any group without the backing of the state authority. As should be pretty clear, from some of my previous responses, I would tend to agree with you. I believe that the duty assigned by the Qur'an to those who have gained knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah is to remind their brethren of the Day when they will have to be answerable for their deeds and their beliefs to the Master of the worlds. This duty should be governed by the directive of the Qur'an that: "Call to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious". I firmly believe that we can only succeed in removing and correcting the misconceptions of the various Muslim groups and those of their practices which in our opinion are wrong and un-Islamic, if we address them in a polite and wise manner, even if these groups are involved in something as serious as "Shirk" . I do not think that any real correction can take place if our methods are harsh and stubborn. This, in my opinion, was exactly the method followed by the prophets of God, till such time that God, Himself, with His absolute knowledge decided that their addressees are rejecting faith even after fully understanding it and fully realizing that it is the true message of the Lord of the worlds. 11 th January 1999