Legitimacy of Relation between Approximation of Denominations and Religious Truths According to the Qur’an

For over a century now, the idea of approximation has been propounded by reformers of Islamic denominations in scholarly, cultural, social, and political milieus. This paper aims to account for legitimacy of the relation of the idea of approximation of denominations with religious facts and realities. The idea of approximation can serve as a legitimate and appropriate path for followers of Islamic denominations to knowledge of religious facts and realities. Thus, we deploy a library-documentary method with a descriptive-analytic approach in order to interpret and analyze Quranic verses that seem to be concerned with the issue, and then verses that imply the permissibility of approximation in general and by way of priority. The investigation requires an accurate understanding of the function of approximation of denominations, which might serve as a right ground for inquiring into, and discovering, religious facts and realities among followers of the denominations. Lack of such understanding might lead followers of Islamic denominations to extremes of excess and negligence concerning religious matters—which are at odds with the true mission of the religion. Thus, it has been emphasized that the idea of approximation is not an end in itself, although it is a rational necessity as a preparation and as a right bedrock for the discovery of religious truths and realities and the discourse of peaceful coexistence of Muslims in accordance with religious brotherhood as opposed to the discourse of division, enmity, and excommunication.