Who really are the Shia? Is Shi’ism part of Islam?
Unfortunately, many Muslims nowadays are unconscious of the true agenda of Shi’ism. The purpose of this article is that we may all become aware of the reality of their deviations and hypocrisy and the hazard they pose to the Ummah. We must understand that the spread of Shi’ism thus far in the Caribbean and worldwide is not random but it is a well-calculated, well-funded, and well-monitored movement to corrode the Iman (faith) of Sunni Muslims from within, under the disguise of unity, but in reality with a sinister intention to break the backbone of the Ummah.
This division in the Ummah in the form of Shi’ism started according to some at the time of the third Caliph- Uthmaan’s (Radhiallahu anhu) martyrdom. The people were unanimous upon the selection of Uthmaan for the Caliphate until a few people emerged. They tried to cause some friction in the Muslims and they found their way through to this by making a claim that Ali (Radhiallahu anhu) should have been the successor to the Caliphate and not Uthmaan due to the fact that Ali is also a close relation of the Prophet. This view of theirs was not only incorrect but also it was against the fundamentals of the religion. Islam abolished these customs in which family connection would be regarded. Instead, Islam has made ‘taqwa’ (fear of Allah) the basic and fundamental quality.
Thus, Shi’ism was a creation of the enemies of Islam to ensure that Islam never becomes a political or ideological force in the world. They are the enemy within, politically cloaked in the garb of being “the oppressed nations”, ideologically garbed as being “lovers of the Prophetic household,” and currently being hailed as being the “champions of Muslim unity and opposition to the West.” They are masters of sloganeering and deception. The purpose of their formation was solely to destroy Islam from within when the Persians and the Jews realised that Muslims had become a strong military and political force which could not be simply conquered on the battle-field.
Historically, the Shi’ahs have never initiated nor fought any wars against non-Muslims – all their wars have been fought against Sunni Muslims. Three of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs were killed due to Shi’i machinations. There are many more examples of their atrocities against Muslims in the history of Islam, and continues rampantly till our present time today.
Mainstream Shi’ahs hold beliefs that are totally un-Islamic and may remove them from the fold of Islam, although they claim to believe in Allah. The protracted contrariety between Islam and Shi’ism is but a clear reflection of fundamental differences between the two. The only common denominator between Islam and Shi’ism is the Islamic Kalimah. The rest of Shi’ism has very little in common with the correct mainstream Islam. The unbridgeable divide between the two is entrenched in some of the core fundamentals of this sect, such as:
* The Twelve Imams- Imaamah is a divine station like Prophethood. This implies that Sunnis, who do not believe in Imaamah, are unbelievers. According to their beliefs, Allah had chosen twelve men to succees Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). The twelfth Imaam however disappeared at the age of five. He is believed to be
the awaited Mahdi.
Their belief is that the Imaams possess more knowledge than the Ambiyaa. They are superior to the Ambiyaa and the entire creation. The Imaams can bring the dead back to life. No knowledge of the heavens and the earth is hidden from them.
* The Noble Quran- The Qur’an is incomplete and distorted in its present form. This belief had been explicitly propounded by the classical scholars of Shi’ism, but frugally
denied by the contemporary scholars. (This is a belief of kufr. It is necessary to believe the Qur’ān is complete in the form we have it).
* Vilification and apostasy of the Sahabah-They hold the corrupt belief that Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) should have been the first Khalifa. Some of them even hold the absurd belief that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was erroneously granted Prophethod and Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) was more deserving. They also hold the nonsensical belief that Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and the rest of the Sahabah (Radhiallahu Anhum), except the immediate household of Nabi (ﷺ) had turned Murtadd (apostates) after the demise of Nabi (ﷺ). They also believe the noble wives of Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) were responsible for his death. (The scholars of Ahlus Sunnah have stated that this also is kufr).
* The permissibility of Muta’.-(similar to adultery and prostitution).
* They believe in Taqiyyah and Kitman (The promoting lies and deceit). i.e., according to them, it is permissible, in fact, virtuous to deceive others that they are proper Muslims by lying to them about their beliefs etc. This is why when Shi’ahs are approached on issues concerning their beliefs, they will lie and pretend that their beliefs conform to the beliefs of Muslims in general.
Shias are categorized into three groups in regards to the ruling they fall under:
- Those about whom it is certain that they negate the principles of Islam. Such Shias will be regarded as non-Muslims even if they do claim otherwise. Shias have the habit of taqiyyah (i.e. they regard it virtuous to lie in order to safeguard their beliefs).
It is not permissible to have inter-marriages with such Shias, Janazah Salaah will not be performed upon their deceased, the meat from the animals slaughtered by them will not be halaal and all other laws confined to Muslims will not apply to them.
- Those who do not negate any principles of Islam, but have a difference of opinion with the Muslims on saying that Ali (Radiyallahu Anhu) was the most superior amongst all the Sahabah (Radiyallahu Anhum). Such Shias will not be regarded as non-Muslims, but they will still be regarded as fasiqs (those who transgress the laws of Islam openly).
3.Those whose beliefs cannot be confirmed. They will not be regarded as Muslims nor will they be regarded as non-Muslims.
In brief, the history of Shi’ism shows that its very existence was for the destruction of Islam. Their often repeated hallowed call for “Muslim Unity” simply serves as a smokescreen, behind which Shi’a missionaries penetrate Muslim societies. Any attempt to resist this imposition is branded as “divisive”. Would it be divisive to protect Islam from a sect that inherently debases the Qur’an, the Ambiyaa, and the beloved Companions (Sahabah) of the Prophet ﷺ whom Allah has promised Jannah? Unity can only be forged on the basis of correct Aqeedah (belief) truth, noble character and high morals in one’s actions and speech, as taught to us by Rasulullah ﷺ.
Article excerpt from Jamiatul Ulama (Kzn) and Askimam.
