1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

108 Questions

In brief, what is the genesis of Shi'ism?
Rebecca Masterton

In the early period, the word 'shi'a' was understood simply to mean 'follower'. Hence there were those known as the shi 'a of Mu'awiya, the shi'a of 'Uthman and the shi'a of 'Ali [as].  In the early period there was fierce debate as to who could be categorised as a Shi'a of 'Ali [as]. Sunnis who considered him superior to the first three khulafa were known as Shi'a of 'Ali. Due to propaganda and war, any such slight inclination towards Imam Ali [as] could mean being accused of being one his Shi'a. From the persepective of the Imams, their Shi'a were those that were utterly trustworthy, and intelligent enough to imbibe their teachings. People who simply loved the Imams were generally known as 'lovers and supporters' and were appreciated by the Imams, but could be of little use to them because of their lack of capacity to imbibe knowledge and be absolutely trustworthy. There is a narration of Imam al-Sadiq [as] that says '‘a simple profession of love for us (walayah) does not turn a person into a follower (shi‘a), rather those who profess love simply diminish the solitude of our followers.’ (Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 3)
Is it correct to say that there are two broad groups within Twelver Shia, the Usuli, Akhbari and Shaykhi being the orthodox group and the other group being the Alawi, Alevi and Nimatullahi? If so, which one or ones are correct and by what criteria?
Rebecca Masterton

People have always sought to arrange people into groups and to declare which are correct or not correct, or orthodox or not orthodox. First of all, what do you mean by 'orthodox'? Secondly, the Usuli and Akhbari both accuse each other of heterodoxy. Both are Twelver Shi'a. The Shaykhis are Twelver Shi'a and the Ni'matullahis are Sufis and are also Twelver Shi'a, except that one branch of the Ni'matullahis praises 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. Much Sufism that developed among the Shi'a during the medieval period incorporated elements of the Sunni Sufi silsilas, yet practitioners of that Sufism would consider themselves to be Twelver Shi'a. There are different 'Alawi groups - so which ones are you referring to? In the early period, the name 'Alawi was just another name for the Shi 'a of 'Ali [as]; the term 'Alawi also came to be use for the descendents of Abu Talib's [ra] household; there are also Sunni 'Alawis descended from Imam al-Hasan [as]. You say which ones are correct and by what criteria: correct from what perspective? A Sunni perspective? A Shi'i perspective? A secular perspective? Please clarify.
Is it correct to say that there are two broad groups within Twelver Shia, the Usuli, Akhbari and Shaykhi being the orthodox group and the other group being the Alawi, Alevi and Nimatullahi? If so, which one or ones are correct and by what criteria?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

 This statement is not correct.

The name of Twelvers came from the Prophetic statement that my successors will be twelve. This most authentic Hadeeth is narrated in main Sunni books including Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmithi, Ibn Maajah, Musnad Ibn Hanbal hundreds of Hadeeth books.

While all Muslim scholars believe that the Prophet said this, but only Shia Muslims follow the Prophetic teachings by following the Twelve successors.

In fact every Muslim must believe and follow the Twelve Imams If he really wants to abide to the Prophetic orders.

The Osooli and Akhbari and Shaikhi are not different sects, as all of them believe and follow the Twelve Imams from Ahlul Bayt (AS), but some of their scholars have their attitude to derive the Islamic rules from the Hadeeths.

The criteria to know the truth among all the different opinions and sects is the authentic evidence from Quran and authentic Hadeeth.

Wassalam.
In brief, what is the genesis of Shi'ism?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

1. Shia means the followers. In Quran Allah called the sincere followers of the Prophet Musa as his Shia (The person who was from his Shia seeked help from him against the person who was from his enemies) (فاستغاثه الذي هو من شيعته على الذي من عدوه) (Sura Al-Qasas, Verse 15.)

2. Allah in Quran called prophet Ebrahim as a Shia (sincere follower) of the prophet Noah. ( وان من شيعته لابراهيم )(And verily, among his Shia (followers) are Ebrahim). (Sura al-Saffaat, verse 83.)

3. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) called the sincere obedient Muslims as Shia of Ali and said that they will be the winners in the Day of Judgment.

( Tafseer al-Tabari, Vol 30, Page 146)

(Tafseer al-Dorr al-Manthoor by al-Soyooti 6/379) and many other Sunni books.

4. Shia Muslims are the sincere followers of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) who took his Sunnah and Tafseer of Quran from his holy Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS) being he most authentic source.

Wassalam.