Bringing Hearts Together and Politics

Bringing hearts together, which has its root in the Holy Quran, is derived from a secondary fiqhi principle about those who deserve Zakat (alms). It is used to appease some polytheists, hypocrites or even certain groups of Muslims for the purpose of attracting individuals and trends to cooperate politically with Islamic system and Islamic nation or to repel plots and threats.Contrary to the reductionist view that the shares of those whose heart are brought together have been abrogated or it is impossible to apply this rule during the occultation period, the present paper emphasizes that most Sunni and Shia jurists believe that this fiqhi issue has continued to be valid after the lifetime of the Holy Prophet and its application is possible during the occultation period. Bringing hearts together is in harmony with Islam's political aims and has close and influential relation with statesmanship and diplomacy in Islam. Furthermore, it is possible to verify and implement the relation between Islamic policy and "bringing hearts together" in "domestic policy" and "foreign policy" at all times.