Who is a Shia

Shi'a refers to the lovers of 'Ali, and came about in 37 Hijri

The highly respected Sunni scholar Al Muhaddith Shah 'Abd al-'Aziz Dehlavi in his discussion of Hadeeth relating to Ali and his Shi'a writes:

"The title Shi'a was first given to those Muhajireen and Ansar who gave allegiance (bay'ah) to Ali (may Allah enlighten his face). They were his steadfast faithful followers during his (Ali's) caliphate. They remained close to him, they always fought his enemies, and kept on following Ali's commands and prohibitions. The true Shi'a are these who came in 37 Hijri"
 Tuhfa Ithna Ashari (Urdu) page 27, published in Karachi

Note: 37 Hijri -the year Imam Ali (as) fought Mu'awiya at Sifeen.

The reference proves that the term 'Ahl 'ul Sunnah wa al Jamaah' was conceived later, after 37 Hijri. Although we believe that the title Shi'a goes back before this date, as this book is a 'revered anti Shi'a masterpiece', we will gladly accept this definition. Dehlavi states that the first Shi'a were the Muhajirun and Ansar, in other words they were the Prophet (s)'s Sahaba who sided with Ali (as) against Mu'awiya.

Now let us break down that definition in to point form. The Shi'a were those who:
Pledged their allegiance to Ali (as)
Remained close to him
Followed his orders
Fought his enemies

Alhamdullillah that is exactly the same definition of the Shi'a today. All the above attributes of the Shi'a then, are still inherent in the Shi'a today. When the Sahaba were Shi'a then this Nasibi author should have been ashamed for proving Shi'as misguided Kaafirs through Verses. By doing this, this Nasibi author has attacked the Sahaba he venerates; after all if the term Shi'a from Qur'an refers to negative terms such as 'adherents of Pharaoh, rebels, polytheists and Hell Bound', did the Shi'a Sahaba possess all of these attributes? Clearly an author from a site that professes undying love for the Sahaba should have some shame. The Nasibi has unwittingly heaped Kufr Fatwas on thousands of Prophetic companions!

Imamate- The Twelve Imams

Hadith on twelve Imams.

In Muntantakhab al-Atsar, there are 271 hadith on this matter and many of it come from the Sunnis. For example, in Shahih Bukhari, the famous Sunni book, stated that from Jabir ibn Samurah, he heard that Prophet Muhammad Saww. once said: " There will be 12 imams after me." Prophet Muhammad Saww. also said: " They all come from the tribe of Quraish." (Shahih Bukhari : chapter 9 and al-Maqdam : page 1000)

In Musnad Ahmad, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud once asked Prophet Saww. about his imams. The Prophet Saww. said : "They all are 12 people like 12 Israeli tribe". ( Musnad Ahmad : chapter 1, page 398)

The Lover of Ahlul Bayt

Ahlul Bayt is a term that signifies the pure descendant of the Holy Prophet of Islam and the Last Messenger, Muhammad s.a.w.a. But the interpretation of the infallibility of Ahlul Bayt is still debated by the two main sect, Sunni and Shiite. For the follower of Shiite Islam, Ahlul Bayt is free from any sins and hold the secret knowledge of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.a. The Sunni sect on other way, stated that Ahlul Bayt is not free from any sins and Imamate don't delong to them alone.

The difference don't only belong to the merits, the difference can be traced to the definition of who is the People of Holy household by the two main sect. In Sunni Islam, Muhammad's household includes his wives, his daughter (Fatimah), her three children, as well as his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. The Shi'a definition of the phrase includes only Fatimah, Ali, Hasan and Husayn (known collectively as the Ahl al-Kisa, "people of the mantle") and the Imams, descendants of Fatimah who they consider to be divinely chosen leaders of the Muslim community.

The Lover of Ahlul Bayt is the one who practice salawat daily and follow the teachings of Ahlul Bayt without any doubt and with certitude. They don't care if they are being threaten by death for their love because they know the essence of this love is pain and sufferation as what is being suffered by their Imams.

The Verse of Purity (Ayat Al-Tathir): "... Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House! And to purify you a (thorough) purifying." Noble Qur'an (33:33)

It is narrated from Umm al-Momineen, Umm Salamah that once Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was in her house lying on a mattress, covered with a cloak from Khaibar when his beloved daughter Fatima Zahra (pbuh) entered with a dish called al-Khazira (a kind of food). Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) asked her to call her husband, Imam Ali and her two sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain. Fatima Zahra (pbuh) called them and as they all sat together to eat, Allah revealed the following verse of purity (Ayat Al-Tathir) to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). "... Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House! And to purify you a (thorough) purifying." Noble Qur'an (33:33)

Prophet Muhammad - may Allah bestow peace and benedictions upon him and his pure Progeny - said: "Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things (thaqalayn) among you: the Book of Allah and my kindred (itrah), my household Ahlul Bayt (Ahl al-Bayt), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of alKawthar on the Day of Judgement)." [Hadith-e-Saqlain]

Istikhara

Types of Istikhara

For every task that you undertake, you should seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s support and pray for good end to your efforts. Whatever the end result, remain consigned to Allah (S.w.T.)’s wish.

After seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s support, rivet your attention to your heart and act according to the signal you get from there.

After seeking Allah (S.w.T.)’s support, consult some sagacious Mu’min and act on the matter according to his advice.

Do Istikhara through the Qur’an, the rosary, through chits or marble like balls.

The Allama says that, “In several traditions there is a pointer towards the first type of Istikhara. Several other scholars, like Shaikh Mufīd, Allama Tūsi and Ibn Idrīs are hesitant about the fourth type of Istikhara. But, since there are traditions in support of all the four types of Istikhara, we cannot reject any of the four methods. Any way, the first three ways of doing the Istikhara are very appropriate, which in our times are almost defunct.”

Several youths came during their examination times and want a Istikhara to be done whether they stand a chance of passing the examination or not. In brief, we want to mention about the edict of Shari’ah in such matters. We request you to communicate these words to others in your circle that people better shun their wrong ways and do not pollute their faith with silly habits.

Clear Warnings about Istikhara

About Istikhara all schools agree that the Prophet (S) has advised that this should not be avoided for any small or big task.

Amir al-Mu’minīn (a.s.) says, “During my journey to Yemen, on which I went on the orders of the Prophet (S), besides other instructions, he said, ‘O ‘Ali! During this journey never forget to see the Istikhara at every stage.’ One who does Istikhara will never have troubles nor one who consults others will ever repent.”

Every Imam has exhorted his successor about the Istikhara as he has done about the recitation of the Qur’an.

This Istikhara about which so much has been said is not just seeing the odd and even of the beads of the rosary. But the purpose is to seek good from Allah (S.w.T.) (Talab al-khaira min Allah). In every task that you do, you must seek Allah (S.w.T.)’s help and pleasure!

There are several traditions about the method and prayer for Istikhara. One is that for routine works, one should say seven times, “Astakhair Allah berehmate khairat fi aafiah”.

For important matters like travel, business deals or surgeries repeat the same words a hundred and one times. If the words are said in a state of prostration, it would be better. And if the words are repeated in the prostration after a optional prayer, and better after the optional prayer following the mandatory morning prayer (Fajr).

In another tradition it is narrated from Imam Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) that the words of Istikhara should be repeated ten times for routine matters and two hundred times for important matters like journeys, Umrah etc.

People have been very strongly advised to seek help in their matters from Allah (S.w.T.) in a state of prostration. That is the time when one is nearest to Allah (S.w.T.). If men make this their habit and practice, and never divert from it, then all actions will be felicitous. If a person has any doubt about this, he should study in depth the methods for removing the doubts recorded in the pure Shari’ah.

Suggestions for Removing Doubts

The best suggestion is that which is in according to the Nass (categorical order) of the Qur’an, and that is not to take advise from any person other than one falling in the four following categories:

Wise, shrewd and far-sighted. It goes without saying that seeking suggestions from foolish persons will be futile.

One who is religious and pious. Seeking suggestions from a faithless and careless person is not desirable. When a person doesn’t care for Allah (S.w.T.), how one can expect that he would care for ordinary mortals?

One who is your friend and well-wisher. A person who is one’s adversary cannot give advice in your interest.

A person who is your confidante and will not disclose about your matters to others.

If any person has all the four qualities, he can always be consulted on important matters. Allah (S.w.T.), from whom you have sought help in your matters, will convey to you through the advice of the person of your choice about the best course you must adopt in your matters.

The Holy Imams (a.s.) Used to Take Advice

Allama Majlisi quotes from Imam Ridha (a.s.) that he said, “My revered father, Imam Mūsa Ibn Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), despite being of the highest intellect, used to consult with his slave occasionally. For example: Whenever he embarked on some important task, he used to seek the advice of the clever slave. If performance of that task was advisable, he would go ahead with it.”

“The Imam was once asked by some one, ‘Although you are the Imam of the times, you are taking advice from a slave! Being the Imam you should have knowledge of everything.’ He replied, ‘what do you know? Is it not possible that Allah wishes to enlighten me about certain matters through his mouth?’”

Whenever one is in a doubt and confusion about matters, he should act in accordance with Allah (S.w.T.)’s injunction in the Holy Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet and the Imams (a.s.).

Unity of God

"Tawhid", Unity Of God

Belief in Allah and His Unity.
The belief in the Unity of God is the foundation stone of Islam. This belief governs the religious faith, designs the social patterns and gives life to the moral codes.

The first sentence of the Islamic kalimah,i.e. "There is no god except Allah," leads a Muslim throughout his life not only in religious matters but in social behaviour also. "There is no god" shows a Muslim that nothing in the Universe is superior to him. It is observed in Qur'an that:

"He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth ."(2:29).

So a Muslim knows that nothing in this world is to be worshipped. Neither stone nor trees; neither animals nor human-beings; neither the Sun nor the Moon nor the Stars can be worshipped; because everything is created, and created for his benefit. When a Muslim, thus, has rejected every falsehood and every idea of Nature-worship, Idol-worship or Human-worship, he is ready to believe in the positive truth of the Unity of God. Believing in a Supreme being gives an aim to our life and provides a purpose for our actions. Had a man been left with the wrong impression that there was no God at all, his life would have been aimless, and an aimless life is dangerous. So it is added that there is no god "except Allah." This sentence has a negative as well as a positive aspect. Both are instrumental in creating the belief that every man is equal to every other person. When nobody is superior, nobody is inferior. Thus, the belief in the Unity of God promotes the sense of brotherhood and equality and equity which is another feature of Islam.
Now allow me to explain other aspects about the belief in the Unity of God:

We believe that God is Omnipotent and Omniscient. He was there when there was nothing. Nothing except Him is eternal. He has no beginning and no end. He knows everything. Even our unspoken intentions and desires are not hidden from Him. We believe that He has no partner, no advisor, no helper. He has no son, no daughter, no wife. He is above every need, because need presumes deficiency. He has no body, because body needs space. He is nowhere, because He has no body; and He is everywhere, because His power and knowledge is magnificently apparent everywhere. He cannot be defined in terms of Time and Space. He cannot be incarnated, because incarnation needs body and space. He cannot be seen because of the same reason.

When we say that Allah is Omnipotent and Merciful, we do not mean that His Power and Mercy is something different from His Person. We see that a child is born without any power, and then he acquires strength day by day. It is so because power is not his person. Allah is not like this. He is Power Himself; Mercy Himself; Knowledge Himself; Justice Himself; Virtue Himself; Truth Himself and so on.

The proper name which we use for God is 'ALLAH' and that also needs some explanations.

'ALLAH' means `One who deserves to be loved' and `Into Whom every one seeks refuge.' This word, grammatically speaking, is unique. It has no plural and no feminine. So this name itself reflects light upon the fact that Allah is one and only one; He has neither any partner nor any equal. The name cannot be translated by the word `GOD' because God can be transformed into `gods' and `goddess.'

Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.Everything and every phenomenon in the world other than man is administered totally by God-made laws, ie. they are obedient to God and submissive to his laws, they are in the State of Islam.

Man possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law, ie, become a Muslim.Submission to the good will of God, together with obedience to His beneficial Law, ie, becoming a Muslim, is the best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's prophets and messengers, including Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last prophet and messenger, Muhammad.The word Allah in the Arabic language means God, or more accurately, The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. The word Allah to mean God is also used by Arabic speaking Jews and Christians.