To understand the concept of Shia, it is necessary to first\nknow Islam, and then define Shia based on Islam. The basics of Islam start from\nthe belief in Allah (SWT) and the belief in all the prophets up to the last of\nthem (Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP)). \nAs a Muslim we must act upon the Islamic orders, which are obtained from\nthe Holy Quran and the Prophet’s (PBUH&HP) Sunnah. We must believe in\nresurrection, the day of judgment, and rewards versus punishments that will be\nto the people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shiites believe that after the demise of the Prophet Muhammad\n(PBUH&HP), the true knowledge of Islamic orders, teachings, and revelations\nare with the true interpreters of the Holy Quran, the family of the Prophet\n(Ahl al-Bayt) (PBUT). A Shiite is a person who follows the Prophet and his\nfamily (PBUT) in all affairs. A Shiite accepts the Prophet and his family\n(PBUT) according to his wisdom and divine nature. When he accepted them, he\ntraces them in all affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Shiite doctrines, a true Shiite is one who\nfollows Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the believers) Ali, Fatimah al-Zahra,\nand the rest of the Infallibles (PBUT). \nIn other words, Shiites follow the lights of guidance who are the\nsuccessors of the Prophet (PBUH&HP) and are free of error and mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shia literally means\nfollower. By the order of Allah (SWT) Imam Ali ibn Abitalib (PBUH) was\nintroduced as the leader after the Prophet (PBUH&HP). So the followers of\nImam Ali (PBUH) have become known as Shia of Imam Ali (PBUH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what is the origin of this belief and its\nperspectives? Where can we find the\nfirst appearance of this school in history?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On different occasions such as Youm al-Indhar(1) to the day\nof Ghadir al-Khum(2), Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) would constantly remind,\nintroduce, and preach people about his family, Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ordered by Allah\n(SWT), the Prophet (PBUH&HP) had declared Wilayat and Succession of Imam\nAli and his sons (PBUT) after him. Even Sunnis believe that the first person\nwho used the word “Shia” was the Prophet (PBUH&HP) himself. He\nused this word in different cases about the followers of Ali (PBUH). We will\nbriefly mention few of these cases here. (3)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (companion of the Prophet\n(PBUH&HP)) says: “we were sitting beside the Prophet, Ali entered and\nthen Prophet said :”to the one who my life is in His hands (Allah) I swear\nthat this person and his Shia (followers) are saved in resurrection day”.\nThen this verse descended: (98:7) (4) “(5)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Umm Salameh narrates from the Prophet (PBUH&HP) that he\nsaid:” O’ Ali you and your friends are in heaven. You and your Shia\n(followers) are in heaven.”(6)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let it be stated that some people believe that Shia\noriginated from the time of Uthman (the third successor of Sunnis) by the\nIranians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Prophet (PBUH&HP) was completely aware of the\ndisputes and differences the Ummah (community) was going to face after his\ndemise. He constantly reviewed the characteristics and signs of the true path\nand persons, so even future generations would learn truth through his Sunnah.\nIn fact an example can be seen when the Prophet (PBUH&HP) mentioned a\nnarration of the future happenings, “My community will be dispersed to 73\nsects, and only one of them is true.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some other\nrevengeful people say that Shia is originated from the thoughts of a Jew,\nAbdullah ibn Saba. According to what was mentioned the establishment of Shia\nwas by the Prophet (PBUH&HP) on behalf of Allah (SWT). (Because according\nto the Holy Quran (53:3) he does not say anything on behalf of Himself). In\ntradition books of Shia this man is accursed and disfavored by Allah (SWT).\nSome of the Shia learned people have definitely proved that he is a forged\nperson. Also mal-existence of such a person has been decisively proved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally let us conclude that in every stage of life, we\nShiites ask Allah to show us the straight path, free us from all bigotry, and\nflourish the luminosity of wisdom within our hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Praise be on those who follow rightness.” (The\nHoly Quran, 20:47)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footnotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1- Day that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) invited his close\nrelatives to Islam<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2- Announcement of the Wilayat (Mastership) of Imam Ali\n(PBUH)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3- These narratives are mentioned here just as samples\nand there are many traditions found in different Sunnite tradition books in\nthis respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5- “(As for) those who believe\nand do good works are the best of created beings.” (The Holy Quran, 98:7)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6- Al-Durr al-Manthur, under commentary of verse 98:7<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7- Al-Durr al-Manthur, under commentary of verse 98:7<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
To understand the concept of Shia, it is necessary to first know Islam, and then define Shia based on Islam. The basics of Islam start from the belief in Allah (SWT) and the belief in all the prophets up to the last of them (Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP)). As a Muslim we must act upon the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28276,28246],"tags":[17953,17745,17955,17873,17952,17954],"class_list":["post-3842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles","category-beliefs","tag-articles","tag-beliefs","tag-people","tag-shia","tag-shia-and-its-history","tag-true"],"yoast_head":"\n