Shia Muslims believe that based on the Qur’an and many authentic Hadiths, this branch of Islam is the real and pristine Islam preached and propagated by the Messenger of Allah; Hazrat Muhammad (PBUHH). On the contrary, some of non-Muslim Wahhabis claimed that Shia Islam is made by a Jewish converted to Islam named Abdullah Ibn-Saba. Others claim that Shia Islam is invented by the Safavid dynasty (which ruled Iran in 16th and 17th centuries).
However, the present article aims to prove that it was Shia Islam, which was propounded by The Holy Prophet (PBUHH) from the first revelation sent to him. So, it is absolutely true to say that Shia Islam is the real transliteration of the Quranic and the Prophetic Islam.
Meanwhile, the term “Shia” means “followers and members of a party”. Thus, the term “Shia” alone has no negative or positive meaning unless we specify the leader of the party.
If one is a Shia (follower) of the most righteous servants, then there is nothing wrong with being a Shia, especially if the leader of such party has been assigned by Allah. On the other hand, if one becomes the Shia of a tyrant or a wrong-doer, he shall meet with the fate of his leader.
In fact, the Qur’an indicates that on the day of Judgment, people will come in groups, and each group has its leader in front of it. Allah, to whom belong Might and Majesty, said:
The day We shall summon every group of people along with their imam, then whoever is given his book in his right hand—they will read it, and they will not be wronged so much as a single date-thread. (17:71)
On the day of judgment, the destiny of the “followers” of each group highly depends on the destiny of his Imam (provided that they really followed that Imam). Allah mentioned in the Qur’an that there are two types of Imams. Some Imams are those who invite people to Hellfire. They are tyrannical leaders of each era (like Pharaoh, etc.):
We made them leaders who invite to the Fire, and on the Day of Resurrection they will not receive any help – We made a curse pursue them in this world, and on the Day of Resurrection, they will be among the disfigured. (28:41-42).
Certainly, being the members of the parties of such Satanic Imams has been severely denounced in the Qur’an, and the followers of such parties will meet the fate of their leaders.
However, the Qur’an also reminds us that there are Imams who are appointed by Allah as Guides for mankind:
“When they had been patient and had conviction in Our signs, We appointed amongst them imams to guide [the people] by Our command” (32:24).
Certainly, the true followers (Shia) of these Imams will be the real prosperous on the day of resurrection.
Thus, being a Shia does not mean anything, unless we know the Shia (Follower) of whom. Allah mentioned in the Qur’an that some of His righteous servants were Shia of His other righteous servants. An example was Prophet Abraham who was mentioned in the Qur’an specifically as the Shia of Noah:
“Indeed Abraham was among his followers,”(Noah). (37:83)
(Notice that the term “Shia” is explicitly used, letter by letter, in the above verse as well as the following verse.)
In another verse, the Qur’an talks about the Shia of Moses versus the enemies of Moses:
“[One day] he (Moses) entered the city at a time when its people were not likely to take notice. He found there two men fighting, this one from among his Shia (followers), and that one from his enemies. The one who was from his Shia (followers) sought his help against him who was from his enemies. So Moses hit him with his fist, whereupon he expired. He said, ‘This is of Satan’s doing. Indeed he is clearly a misguiding enemy” (28:15).
In the above verses of the Qur’an, one is named the Shia of Moses (PBUH) and the other one is named the enemy of Moses, and the people at that time were either the Shia or the enemy of Moses (PBUH).
Thus, the term “Shia” is an official word used by Allah in the Qur’an for His high-rank Prophets as well as their followers. Do you want to say Prophet Abraham was sectarian? How about Prophet Noah and Prophet Moses (PBUT)?
If somebody calls himself a Shia, it is not due to any sectarianism, nor any innovation. It is because the Qur’an has used the phrase for some of His best servants. The above verses mentioned in support of Shia have used this term in a singular form (one group of followers). This means that it has special meaning, such as: THE Shia of Noah (PBUH), THE Shia of Moses (PBUH).
Also in the history of Islam, Shia has been specifically used for the “followers of Imam Ali (PBUH)”. Interestingly, the first individual who used this term was the Messenger of Allah himself (PBUHH): He (PBUHH) said to Imam Ali (PBUH):
“Glad tiding O Ali! Verily you and your companions and your Shia (followers) will be in Paradise.”
Sunni references
Fadha’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 655
Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu’aym, vol. 4, p. 329
Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, vol. 12, p. 289
al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani
Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haythami, vol. 10, pp. 21-22
al-Darqunti, who said this tradition has been transmitted via numerous authorities.
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami , Ch. 11, section 1, p. 247
Thus the Messenger of Allah (PBUHH) himself used to make use of the phrase “Shia of Ali”. And that is to show that this phrase is not something invented later!
Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH) said that the genuine followers of Imam Ali will go to Paradise, and this is a great felicity. Jabir Ibn Abdillah al-Ansari narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah (PBUHH) said: “The Shia of Ali are the real victorious in the day of resurrection/rising”.
Sunni references:
al-Manaqib Ahmad, as mentioned in: Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p. 62,
Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Hafidh Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, who quoted the tradition as follows:
“We were with the Holy Prophet when Ali came towards us. The Holy Prophet said: He and his Shia will acquire salvation on the day of judgment.”
The “day of rising” may also refer to the day of rising of al-Mahdi (PBUH). But in more general terms, it means the day of judgment. Also, it is narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah said: “O Ali! On the Day of Judgment I shall resort to Allah and you will resort to me and your children will resort to you and the Shia will resort to them. Then you will see where they carry us. (to Paradise)”
Sunni reference:
Rabi al-Abrar, by al-Zamakhshari
Furthermore, it is narrated that The Messenger of Allah said:
“O Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shia will come toward Allah well-pleased and well-pleasing, and there will come to Him your enemies angry and stiff-necked (i.e., their head forced up).
Sunni references:
al-Tabarani, on the authority of Imam Ali (PBUH).
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p. 236
A more complete version of the tradition, which has also been reported by the Sunnis, is as follows:
Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated:
When the verse “Indeed those who have faith and do righteous deeds—it is they who are the best of creatures.”(98:7)” was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HP) said to Ali: “They are you and your Shia.” He continued: “O Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shia will come toward Allah well-pleased and well-pleasing, and your enemies will come angry with their heads forced up. Ali said: “Who are my enemies?” The Prophet (PBUHH) replied: “He who disassociates himself from you and curses you. In addition, glad tiding to those who reach first under the shadow of al-‘Arsh on the day of resurrection.” Ali asked: “Who are they, O the Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Your Shia, O Ali, and those who love you.”
Sunni references:
al-Hafidh Jamaluddin al-Dharandi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, pp. 246-247
Let us look at one more tradition in this regard:
The Messenger of Allah said to Ali:
“The first four individuals who will enter the Paradise are me, you, al-Hasan, and al-Husain, and our progeny will be behind us, and our wives will be behind our progeny, and our Shia will be on our right side and in our company.”
Sunni references:
al-Tabarani, as quoted in:
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami , Ch. 11, section 1, p.246
From the above pieces of evidence, the term “Shia” is used by Allah in the Qur’an for His Prophets as well as their followers. Furthermore, His blessed Prophet, Muhammad (PBUHH) has repeatedly used this term for the followers of Imam Ali (PBUH).
The word Shia is used here in its special meaning, and moreover, it is not in a plural form (Parties), rather, the above verses and traditions are referring to a special party, one single party.
If Shia meant sectarian, neither Allah would use it for His high-rank Prophets nor Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH) would have praised them. However, there are some verses in the Qur’an which use the plural form of Shia, that is “Shi-ya’a” which means “Parties/groups”.
This is a general meaning of this term, and not the special meaning in a singular form which has been given in previous examples. Of course, only one single party is accepted by Allah and the rest are severely denounced because they have separated from that unique party.
So, it is clear why Allah denounced “Groups/Parties/Sects” (plural form) who separated from that unique group in some verses of the Qur’an. There cannot be two righteous groups (with conflicting ideas) at the same time, because between the two leaders, one is surely better and more qualified, and thus, the claims and the motives of the other leaders go under question.
However, I did not locate the exact terms such as “Ahlu s-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah”, nor did I find “al-Wahhabiyyah”, or “al-Salafiyyah” anywhere in the Holy Qur’an or the traditions of the Prophet. I agree that we should follow the Sunnah of The Prophet (PBUHH), but I would like to discover the origin of the exact term here.
We Shia are proud to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUHH). However, the question is, which Sunnah is genuine and which one is not?
The word “Sunnah” by itself does not serve the purpose of knowledge. All Muslims irrespective of their persuasions claim that they follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUHH). It should emphasize that the Messenger of Allah never wished to divide Muslims into groups. The Holy Prophet (PBUHH) ordered all people to follow Imam Ali (PBUH) as his representative during his lifetime, and as his Caliph after him.
The Prophet (PBUHH) wished everybody does that, but, unfortunately, those who heeded him were few and were known as “Shia of Ali” who were subject to all sort of discrimination and prosecution, and suffered from the day one of the demise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUHH).
If everyone (or say the majority of Muslims) had obeyed what the Prophet has said, there wouldn’t exist any group or school within Islam. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided [into sects]…” (3:103)”
The Rope of Allah, which we should not separate from, are the Ahlul-Bayt. In fact, some Sunni scholars narrated from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying:
“We are the Rope of Allah about whom Allah has said: “Hold fast, all together, to Allah’s cord, and do not be divided [into sects].”(3:103).
Sunni references:
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami , Ch. 11, section 1, p. 233
Tafsir al-Kabir, by al-Tha’labi, under commentary of verse 3:103
Thus, if Allah denounces sectarianism, He denounces those who separated from His Rope (The pure Progeny of The Prophet), and not those who hold fast to it! In addition, some said the Rope of Allah is Qur’an. This is also true. But by looking at the following tradition narrated by Umm Salama who said:
The Messenger of Allah said: “Ali is with Qur’an, and Qur’an is with Ali. They shall not separate from each other till they both return to me by the Pool (of Paradise).”
So, the Qur’an separated from Imam Ali (PBUH) and his purified family cannot be the Rope of Allah. Thus, the Qur’an with the pure Progeny of the Prophet can be and are the Rope of Almighty Allah.
Sunni references:
al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, vol. 3, p. 124 on the authority of Umm Salama
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2, pp. 191,194
al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani; also in al-Saghir
Tarikh al-Khulafa, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, p. 173
Then, we can conclude that Imam Ali is the Quran verbatim. That is, Imam Ali is the Strong Rope of Allah because they (the Qur’an and Ali) are non-separable. In fact, there is a huge number of traditions in authentic Sunni sources where the Prophet said that the Qur’an and Ahlul-Bayt are inseparable and if Muslims want to remain on the right path, they should stick to both of them.
Therefore, one can conclude that those who separated from Ahlul-Bayt are the sectarian who were divided into sects and were denounced by Allah and His Prophet due to their divergence. In fact, the opinion of the majority of Muslims (Non-Shias) is not a good criterion to distinguish the false from the truth.
If you look at the Qur’an, you will see that Qur’an severely denounces the majority by frequently saying that “the majority do not understand”; “the majority do not use their logic”, or “the majority follow their whims”
In another verse, Allah said:
“You are the best nation [ever] brought forth for mankind: you bid what is right and forbid what is wrong, and have faith in Allah”(3:110).
The best nation is also the Ahlul-Bayt. Let us remember that according to the Qur’an, “nation” does not mean the whole people. This is even clear from the above verse that such Ummah (nation) are raised for benefiting the people. Thus, Ummah can be only a subset of people and not the whole people. In fact, one person can be a nation.
Sometimes, the act of a single person is worthier than the deeds of the whole nation. This was the case for Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali, as well as the case for Prophet Abraham (peace be upon them all).
The Glorious Quran states that Abraham (PBUH) was a nation (Ummah), meaning that his deeds were more valuable than all other people. Almighty Allah stated:
“Indeed Abraham was a nation [all by himself], obedient to Allah, a Hanif, and he was not a polytheist”(16:120).
Thus, one single individual can be a nation in the language of the Quran. As for verse 100 of the chapter, it is interesting to note that some Sunni scholars have narrated from Abu Ja’far Imam al-Baqir (PBUH)) that:
Abu Ja’far (PBUH) said about the verse ‘You are the best nation raised up for the (benefit of) people…(3:110)’: “They are the Members of the House of the Prophet.”
Sunni references:
al-Durr al-Manthoor, by Jalaluddin al-Suyuti under commentary of verse 3:110 of the holy Qur’an. Also, Almighty Allah mentioned in the Quran:
“O you who have faith! Be wary of Allah, and be with the Truthful”(9:119).
According to some Sunni Commentaries, “the truthful” means Imam Ali (PBUH):
Sunni reference:
Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthoor, by al-Hafidh Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, two reports: one from Ibn Mardawayh by Ibn Abbas and the second from Ibn Asakir by Abi Ja’far (PBUH).
This means that people should have feared Allah and should not have separated from Imam Ali (PBUH) after the demise of The Prophet (PBUHH). This, unfortunately, did not happen at large, and therefore, unfortunate divisions followed it.
With respect to the term “al-Siddeeq”, that is, “The Truthful”, there are many Sunni narrations in which the Messenger of Allah said:
The Truthful are three:
- Hazqeel who was the believer of the family of Pharaoh (see 40:28),
- Habeeb al-Najjar who was the believer of the family of Yaasin (see 36:20), and
- Ali Ibn Abi Talib who is the most virtuous one among them (see 9:119).”
Sunni references:
Abu Nu’aym and Ibn Asakir, on the authority of Abu Layla
Ibn al-Najjar, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 9, section 2, pp. 192-193.
Conclusion
We have shown in this article that the term “Shia” has been used in the glorious Qur’an for the followers of the great servants of Allah and in the traditions of the Prophet (PBUHH) for the followers of Imam Ali (PBUH). And one who follows such divinely appointed Guide is safe from the disputes in the religion and has grasped the Strong Rope of Allah, and has been given the glad tiding of Paradise.
