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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

23 Questions

What evidence can Shia present to demonstrate that they are more reliable than Sufism in preserving the teachings of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq and Imam Ali ar-Rida, since many Silsilas of Sunni Sufism like Qadiriya go back to those Imams?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Shia Muslims have the most authentic evidence that they following the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) through the most authentic chains of narrators.

Sufi Silsila needs to prove that they really following Ahlul Bayt in every matter in faith and Shariah.

Wassalam.
Is it permissible for Shia Muslims, who have already pledged their allegiance to Imam al-Mahdi (ajtfs), to also engage in the practice of pledging allegiance to a Peer for guidance, as observed among some Shia individuals similar to Sufi practices?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS) pledge allegiance to Imam Mahdi (AS) and never pledge allegiance to any peer or leader who follows other sects. In fact, no allegiance can be allowed to anyone in front of the allegiance to Imam Zaman (AS). 

Wassalaam
As a Shia convert, is talking to Sufis considered breaking the third Shahadah? Will it lead to apostasy from Shia Islam? Can I still identify as Shia if I had contacts with Sufi orders?
Amina Inloes

You do not become an apostate or break the third shahadah by speaking with someone who has a different belief or by being present at their gatherings, unless you have the intention of apostasy. (This is true whether they are Sufi, Christian, atheist, or any other group.) 

However, sometimes, when we are solidifying our religious identity, especially after a recent conversion, it is helpful to stay within the confines of our religious group and avoid contact with others. But this is a psychological or spiritual matter, not anything relating to apostasy. 

You are a Shi'i if you wholeheartedly accept the authority and spiritual status of Imam Ali (a), without any competitors, and identify as Shi'i. 

If you had any belief which is incompatible with Shi'ism, you may reject that belief and remain Shi'i. Similarly, if you gave bay'ah to someone other than Imam al-Mahdi (A) (for Twelver Shi'a), you can declare your ultimate bay'ah to Imam al-Mahdi (A). If you acknowledged the authority or lineage of someone (living or deceased) who is incompatible with your allegiance to Imam 'Ali (A) and Imam al-Mahdi (A), you may choose to reject that authority.

Sufis differ from one another, and some are closer to Shi'ism than others. 
Some have argued that Mansur Al-Hallaj's statement of 'Ana al-Haqq' (I am the Truth) alludes to the idea of annihilating the self for Allah (swt), while others have viewed it as heresy.  What is the Shi'i view of his statement?
Amina Inloes

Different Muslims, both Sunnis and Shi'is, have varying views about al-Hallaj. Some take a negative view of him, especially this statement, and others appreciate the spirit of it.

Regarding al-Hallaj, Ayatollah Motahhari says in his introduction to 'irfan:

-=-= begin quote =-=-

Now famous simply as al-Hallaj, he is one of the most controversial mystics of the Islamic world. The shathiyyat uttered by him are many, and he was accused of apostasy and claiming divinity. The jurisprudents pronounced him an apostate and he was crucified during the reign of the 'Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir.

The 'urafa' themselves accuse him of disclosing spiritual secrets. Hafiz has this to say about him:

He said, that friend, who was raised high on the cross,

His crime was that he used to reveal secrets.

Some consider him no more than a charlatan, but the 'urafa' themselves absolve him and say that the statements of al-Hallaj and Bayazid that gave the impression of unbelief were made when they were beside themselves in the state of 'intoxication'.

Al-Hallaj is remembered by the 'urafa' as a martyr. He was executed in 309/913. 

-=-= end quote =-=-

So there are varying views.