The Term "Shia" in the Qur'an and Sunni Sources - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief The Term “Shia” in the Qur’an and Sunni Sources 2021-06-24 1277 Views Shia, Shi'ite, Hadith sources 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). Contents Sunni references Sunni references: Sunni reference: Sunni references: Sunni references: Sunni references: Sunni references: Sunni references: Sunni references: Sunni reference: Sunni references: Conclusion 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! (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 unde