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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 2) Question : How Far Is a Muslim Allowed To Entertain Himself ? Is He Allowed To Entertain Himself With Music ? (appendix 'a') Origin of Shi'ism A Shia student from Mombasa is writing a thesis for H.S.C. examination and needs information about the origin of Shi'ism. The fact is the Shia sect is the follower of the original Islam; and, therefore, the origin of Shi'ism is the same as that of Islam.

The main difference between Sunni and Shia sects is about the successorship of the Holy Prophet. The Sunnis believe that Hazrat Abu Bakr was the first caliph; the Shias believe that Hazrat Ali was the first Imam. When we see the declarations of the Holy Prophet, as recorded in the books of Tafseer, Traditions, Biographies and Histories, by the Sunni scholars themselves, it becomes clear that it was the Holy Prophet of Islam who was the originator of Shi'ism.

The first open declaration of the Prophethood was the very occasion when the first open declaration of the Khilafat of Hazrat Ali was made, Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, in his Musnad (one of the Sihah Sitta), and Imam Tha'labi, in his Tafseer Ma'alim-ut-tanzeel (Bombay, p.

VI, p. 397) the words of the Holy Prophet are recorded as follows :- "The Prophet told his family "I have brought to you good of this world and that of life hereafter. And my Lord has commanded me to call you to it. Who among you will help me in this work of mine on the condition that he would be my brother, my successor and my caliph ?" Ali said, "I, O Prophet of Allah, wil! be your helper in it".

Then the Prophet caught his shoulder and said: "Verily, he is my brother, my successor and my caliph among you.