Shi’ite idiomatically means the followers of Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) who give preference to him over others; so, the followers and the supporters and the defenders and the loyal partisan of Imam Ali Bin Abu Talib (PBUH).
We have evidence from the Hadith in this regard. It is reported, in ‘Tafsir Al-Safi’, from Al-Amali that Jabir Bin Abdullah said:“We were with the Prophet (PBUH) when Ali Bin Abu Talib arrived. So, the Prophet (PBUH) said: ‘my brother has come’, then he turned to Ka’ba, struck it and said: ‘By He who has my life, this man and his followers (Shi’a) are the victorious in the Day of Judgment.’
He added: ‘He is the first to believe with me among you and the most loyal towards the vows to Allah, the most committed to the commands of Allah, the most objective and just towards people, the most straightforward and of most advantages to Allah.’ Then, he mentioned this Holy Verse:
(As for those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men)98;7.
The Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to call Ali ‘the best of men’ whenever he arrived”.
Now, the reason why Muslims are divided into two sects is due to political reasons as well as worldly greediness.
Anwar:How is that?
Hasan:Let us not speak about it as it brings up negative issues!
Anwar:I think it is all right if we just go through it quickly.
Hasan:We have already proved the preference and precedence of Imam Ali (PBUH) as the next in line to succeed Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); this was during his life, but after the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, some people retraced their steps and we all know the story of Saqifat Bani Sa’edah. Since then, Muslims are practically split into two sects. A sect kept following Imam Ali (PBUH) and another sect showed rejection although they were hiding this at the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Anwar:What do you mean Muslims are ‘practically’ split into two sects?
Hasan:I mean they were hiding their rejection the Imamate of Ali (PBUH) at the time of the Prophet (PBUH) but they practically showed it after his death.
Anwar:Some say that ideology of Shi’ism was a heresy originated by a Jew named Abdulla Bin Saba?
Hasan:It is mere fabrication and false accusation. Here are these proofs refuting this lie:
· Al-Hakim Al-Haskani Al-hanafi Al-Neisabouri – a prominent figure of fifth century AH – reported that Yazid Bin Sharahil Al-Ansari – the writer of Imam Ali (PBUH) said:“I heard Imam Ali (PBUH) say: The Messenger of Allah told me once: Haven’t you heard the words of Almighty Allah:
(As for those who believe and do good, surely they are the best of men)98;7?
They are you and your Shi’a (followers) as my appointed time and your appointed time is the Pool (Al-Hawz). When nations gather for the Judgment, you are called upon honorably.”
Furthermore, Al-Qandouzi Al-Hanafi reported in several ways from Al-Deilami as well as Al-Tabarini from Abu
Rafi’ that the Prophet (PBUH) said:“O Ali! The first four entering the Paradise are me, you, Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, then come our offspring, our spouses and followers of our good features and faith”.
· The ideology of Shi’ism was proved by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) himself as we have just mentioned above and also earlier in our discussion; this was long before the appearance of this fabricated Abdulla Bin Saba.
· Abdulla Bin Saba is a made-up myth invented by the enemies of Shi’a.
· How is it possible to believe that a Jew who later converted to Islam had such huge intellectual influence on such great Companions like Salman Al-Faresi, Abu Zar, Ammar, Al-Miqdad and many others?
· Even if this person existed, Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH) incinerated him for his excessiveness as it is reported from some Shi’a scholars.
Anwar:What can you tell us about the theories related to the origin of Shi’im?
Hasan:There are no such things as theories! With a little thinking, they appear to be unacceptable.
Anwar:Will you please mention them in brief?
Hasan:These are some of the theories.
First theory:Shi’ism was originated after the death of the Prophet (PBUH); this is rejected because we have already given evidence that Shi’ism existed during the life of the Prophet (PBUH).
Second theory:Shi’ism was originated during the reign of Othman Bin Affan; this is also rejected.
Third theory:The origin of Shi’ism goes back to the tragic incidents of Al-Taf and the martyrdom of Imam Al-Husain (PBUH).
Fourth theory:Shi’ism has Persian origins.
Fifth theory:Shi’ism was originated during the life of Imam Al-Sadiq; there are still more of these so-called theories and they are wholly rejected.
Anwar:Excellent job! You seem you would want to say something.
Hasan:I would like to end our discussion with these following points:
· This teaching of Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT) was established during the time of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and by the Prophet (PBUH) himself unlike other created teachings.
· This teaching is open for everyone as there is neither ambiguity nor illusion in it.
· We have to separate between the teaching and its followers so that the wrongdoings of some people would not be considered part of the teaching; this is totally unfair.
· If anyone wants to judge this teaching of Ahl Al-Bait (PBUT), they have to read carefully about it and then judge it against the Noble Quran, the true rubric of a prophet (Sunna) and the true Islam to see how close they match up.
· We invite all open and free intellectuals to come to know about our teaching in order to have open and free debates with our true religious scholars before they pass any judgments.
· I also invite you, Anwar, to carefully contemplate on our discussions so you can be able to justly and fairly judge our teaching.
Anwar:Thank you very much indeed for your efforts and for the practical and the scholarly discussions we have had; I am so proud to be one of the true believers.
INDEX
SOURCE
TEXT
PAGE
From Abu Abdullah (PBUH), Al-Kafi, v1, p183
Allah insists on events take place
4
Mizan Al-Hikmah, Mohammad Al-Reishahri, v3, p2043
Knowledge is either heard or printed
7
Taqlid, Al-Wasit Dictionary, p754
Taqlid linguistically means to put a collar on one’s neck
9
Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Majlisi, v2, p88
They should find a righteous pious person
11
Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Majlisi, v86, p148
Mohammad’s permitted acts – Halal – are permitted until the Judgment Day
15
Bihar Al-Anwar, Al-Majlisi, v3, p41
Have you been on a ship
23
Nahj Al-Balaghah, Sermons of Imam Ali (PBUH), v1, p24
Allah sent them His Messengers and Prophets
24
Al-Kafi, Sheikh Al-Kleini, v2, p13
Allah has created them to naturally know Him
24
Al-Kafi, Sheikh Al-Kleini, v1, p81
Actions speak for
24
Al-Tawhid, Sheikh Al-Sadouq, p84
the meaning of the One is that there is no similar thing to Him
32
Al-Amthal Fi Tafsir Kitab Allah Al-Monazzal, Sheikh Nasir Makarim Al-Shirazi, p504
Seek knowledge from cradle to grave
41
Sharh Nahj Al-Balaghah, Bin Abi Al-Hadid Al-Mo’tazili, v10, p188
He is Aware of the uproar of the wild animals in the wilderness
60